Cooks Beach

A long, gently shelving beach on Mercury Bay that is far calmer than the village-scale crowds suggest. Swimming is easy at high tide and the shallows are good for small kids. The Purangi estuary at the south end is worth a wander for birds.

Good to know

• Swim near high tide, the beach is shallow at low tide
• Pōhutukawa along the shore give good picnic shade
• Walk north to the Shakespeare Cliff lookout

Best time

Morning to mid-afternoon at high tide

Getting there

Sealed road, free beachfront parking

Vehicles

Campervans fine

Dogs

Dogs on a lead

Facilities

• Rubbish bins
• Toilets

Data: Roadtrip. Things change: check opening times, prices and rules before you go.