Urquharts Bay

Urquharts Bay is a sheltered beach located inside the entrance of the Whangārei Harbour. It is a popular spot for swimming and kayaking. There is public toilets and picnic areas available on the foreshore. From Urquharts Bay there are numerous walking tracks available. You can follow a well‑marked track that leads directly to Smugglers Bay, with several other scenic routes branching off along the way. These include the loop around Busby Head and the Te Whara Track, which continues across the ridge and eventually brings you out at Ocean Beach. Tidal currents and changes in water depth are the common hazards. The severity of these hazards changes with the rise and fall of the tide, so beach goers need to be aware of this. Beach users should also be aware of deep water, diving into shallow water and submerged objects. There is no Lifeguard Service, so all water users should exercise caution when entering the water for any activity.