Less than half an hour from Auckland's CBD, this marine reserve runs along the edge of a beautiful sandy beach.
Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve protects a stretch of coastline on the east coast just north of Auckland city. The shores and waters of the reserve include a diversity of coastal habitats – the sandy beaches of Long Bay and Karepiro Bay; the rocky reefs off the two headlands at either end of Long Bay; and the sandflats and mudflats of the Okura River and estuary. Excellent public access and car parking facilities are found at adjacent Long Bay Regional Park, one of Auckland’s most popular weekend destinations.
Visitors to the marine reserve are welcome and activities like swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, boating, photography and picnicking are encouraged. A walking track from Long Bay Regional Park extends northwards along the coast to the Okura River. A second walkway extends along the coast from Long Bay to Toroa Point.The Okura Estuary Scenic Reserve and the Okura Bush Walkway provide walking access to the north bank of the Okura River and to Karepiro Bay. These are accessed from Stillwater and Haigh Access Road. A brochure is available on these areas from the Department of Conservation in Auckland.