Muriwai Beach is famous for its sparkling black sand, surf and Gannet Colony. Auckland and Beyond Tours will start your tour by picking you up from Auckland CBD at your accommodation. Enjoy a scenic drive through the Waitakere Ranges and stop at a beautiful spot that looks out over Muriwai for the perfect photo opportunity.
Once at Muriwai we will take you to have a closer look at the gannets (easy walking) then along the beach and the cove. You will have approximately an hour to relax, swim and explore the beach.
It just keeps getting better, from there we will take you for wine tasting at one of the areas oldest wineries to taste test before returning to Auckland.
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Itinerary
Auckland & Beyond Tours
Meet Auckland and Beyond Tours in Auckland CBD to begin your tour
10 minutes
Muriwai Beach
Discover one of New Zealand's famous black sand beaches on the west coast. Muriwai is an impressive coastline with cliff-top trails to a huge gannet colony, with easy access and viewing platforms that let you get up close.
A windswept rugged coastline stretching 60 kilometres, and interrupted only by streams and rivers, makes Muriwai one of New Zealand's most spectacular black-sand surf beaches.
2 hours
Muriwai Gannet Colony
Muriwai's gannet colony is a one hour drive from the centre of Auckland. About 1,200 pairs of gannets nest here from August to March each year.
The nests are just centimetres apart. It's an air traffic controller's nightmare, but somehow the birds have it under control. Those coming in to land must glide over the squawking raised beaks of their neighbours - so getting it wrong can be painful. These two-and-a-half kilogram birds have a wingspan of two metres, and their mastery of the onshore updrafts is impressive to say the least.
Once airborne, the young gannets leave the colony and cross the Tasman Sea to Australia. A few years later, surviving birds return to secure a nest site at the colony.
The views from the colony are very impressive. Muriwai Beach extends 60 kilometres to the north - a line of black sand between the thundering surf and the sand hills. Far below, enthusiastic surfers look like seals on the large ocean swells.
2 hours
Sample Menu
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Infant seats are available on request if advised at time of booking (Depends on availability)
A minimum of 2 people is required for the tour to operate
Free Cancellation
September 10100% refund
September 11No refund
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Reviews
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We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her
Reviews by TravelOne travelers
Showing 1-2 of 2 reviews with 5 stars
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Excellent tour
Published on Jan, 2025
David is an awesome tour guide! Very knowledgeable about flora, birds, the area. Answered questions about living in New Zealand. Modified tour to our interests.
Seaside views
Published on Feb, 2023
The owner led the tour on a national holiday. He did a great job. He was very knowledgeable about the area. We enjoyed visiting with him throughout the tour. The car was great. It was comfortable and clean.
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