This is a guide to SUP paddling in and around Auckland. It will be added to and updated on a regular basis so check back here for new information.

Auckland is blessed with great conditions for SUP and places to explore. This guide is designed to help plan flat water routes and to give paddlers all the information they need to plan a paddle.

Note: Some of the longer direct/downwinder paddle routes may require two cars at the start and finish.

Weather can be changable so always check the marine weather situation before you paddle!:

Auckland Marine Weather Link.

Auckland WindGuru Forecast - Well known and still the most accurate for wind speed and direction.

 

Auckland Harbour SUP Paddle Routes:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Torpedo Bay, Devonport -----> Stanley Bay-----> Bayswater

This is a great paddle to take in Devonport and views of downtown Auckland with some lava reefs to explore and wharfs to paddle under. It can be in either direction with or against the tide.

Paddle Time: Torpedo Bay/Stanley Bay is 30mins reasonable paddling but add more time if cruising/exploring. If heading to/from Torpedo Bay to Bayswater allow for about 45min each way.

Launch/Parking: Torpedo Bay, Stanley Bay, and Bayswater Ferry Wharf

Experience/Fitness Level: Not for beginners as board wake and hazards. Intermediate+

Tide: Any - but tide rips in/out so can paddle against it for fitness and/or with it for down-winder fun.

Hazards: Shipping, ferries, boaties, yachties, naval base, nasty chop, fast flowing tides, look out for random boat/ferry wakes! Stay out of the shipping lane at all times!

Wind: S-SW-W blows across/down the harbour so need light winds in those directions or gets choppy quickly. NW-N-NE winds are ok as blow 'off shore' over Devonport. E-SE winds start to blow up the harbour and can make it choppy so need light winds.

Tips: Paddle close to the shore as there are a lot of vessels in the harbour and stay out of the shipping lane at all times! Paddle under Devonport wharf if enough headroom but keep and eye out for the ferry coming from Downtown! DO NOT paddle into the naval base! - but you can paddle past the moored ships and around the naval base and into Stanley Bay.

Things to explore: Lava reefs exposed from mid tide at Torpedo Bay. Pull in at Duders Beach below the Masonic Tavern and pop in for a quick pint :-). Paddle under Devonport Yacht Club wharf and explore the exposed lava reefs along the waterfront towards Windsor Reserve. Paddle up to and under Devonport Ferry terminal/wharf. Paddle towards the Naval base and past the moored ships. Keep paddling around the naval base and into Stanley Bay for a rest. Paddle from Stanley Bay past Stanley Point and across Ngataringa Bay to Bayswater Marina. Paddle through the marina and enjoy flat water and admire the boats.

Amenities: Toilets and drinking water at Devonport's Windsor Reserve and Stanley Bay, Bayswater Ferry Terminal?, Cafes/Bars in Devonport.

Map:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ngataringa Bay, Devonport/Bayswater

A wonderful harbour paddle that feels very remote even though it's so close to the city. Explore the mangroves and discover your own secret beach makes this a really fun paddle. Highly recommended.

Paddle Time: 30-60 mins reasonable paddling but add more time if cruising/exploring.

Launch/Parking: Ngataringa Access Rd past sports fields and stop by small access channel opposite the cricket nets and park on side of the road. Stanley Bay, Bayswater Ferry Wharf

Experience/Fitness Level: Great spot for Beginners and Intermediates+

Tide: Mid-High - very tidal so only mid-high tides.

Hazards: Very safe spot with very little boat traffic. Shelly bottom, rocky launch so booties useful. Tide sucks right out of the bay so keep an eye on it so you don't get stuck in the mudflats.

Wind: S-SW-W blows across/down the harbour so need light winds in those directions or gets choppy quickly. NW-N-NE winds blow across Ngataringa Bay. E-SE across the bay.

Tips: Booties useful as shelly bottom in places. Take a camera as there are some interesting photos and perspectives of the city.

Things to explore: Paddle east towards Lake Rd and into the mangroves and paddle as far up the mangroves as you dare or can turn around - what ever comes first. Paddling through the mangroves is really cool experience. Check out the secret shelly beach in the middle of the bay and have a picnic. Sprint across the bay and then explore the northern side and around into the Bayswater Marina and back again.

Amenities: Toilets at Bayswater Ferry Terminal?, Toilets at Ngataringa sports fields? Cafés/Bars in Devonport.

Map:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cheltenham Beach---> Narrow Neck

 

This is a nice paddle that takes in North Head, Cheltenham Beach and explores the reefs and beach north to Narrow Neck.

Paddle Time:  45min each way cruising/exploring.

Launch/Parking: Torpedo Bay, Cheltenham Beach or Narrow Neck car park.

Experience/Fitness Level: Great spot for Beginners and Intermediates+

Tide: Mid-High tides. Cheltenham suck right out at low tide!

Hazards:  Boats, wake, fishing lines from people fishing off the rocks. NOTE: There is very strong tidal flow around North Head!

Wind: N-NE-E-S-SE wind blows in so need light winds in those directions or gets choppy. SW-W-NW blows offshore and generally pretty sheltered from winds in these directions but can get choppy further out. 

Tips: Booties

Things to explore: Check out the reef below North Head and between Cheltenham and Narrow Neck.

Amenities: Toilets café at Narrow Neck.

Map:

 

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Long Bay ---> Okura-->Stillwater

Paddle Time: Long Bay to end of the Regional Park and back is 60min - or - Long Bay around to Okura is 60 mins reasonable paddling but add more time if cruising/exploring.

Launch/Parking: Long Bay beach is a good spot to park and launch from. Okura boat ramp makes a central spot to launch from. Stillwater marina car park.

Experience/Fitness Level: Great spot for Intermediates+

Tide: Any tide. Low-Mid tide is good as the reefs get exposed and make for some fun exploring.

Hazards: Very safe spot with very little boat traffic. A couple of reefs to navigate/explore at lower tides. Nudists at a beach north of Long Bay!

Wind: N-NE-E-SE blows in so need light winds in those directions or gets choppy quickly. NW winds blow across Karepiro Bay. S-SW-W blows offshore from Long Bay so ok but not too strong.

Tips: Booties useful as reefs in places. Take a camera as there are some interesting photos and perspectives of the North Shore and Gulf.

Things to explore: Paddle east towards Lake Rd and into the mangroves and paddle as far up the mangroves as you dare or can turn around - what ever comes first. Paddling through the mangroves is really cool experience. Check out the secret shelly beach in the middle of the bay and have a picnic. Sprint across the bay and then explore the northern side and around into the Bayswater Marina and back again.

Amenities: Toilets at Long Bay beach, Stillwater, Cafes/Bars in Browns Bay

Map:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shakespear Bay ---> Army bay

Paddle Time: Shakespear Bay around to Army Bay beach is 1.5-2 hours cruising/exploring.

Launch/Parking: Army Bay beach and Shakespear Bay is a good spot to park and launch from. Take two cars and park one at Army and one at Shakespear Bay. Both parks are close to each other which makes this point-to-point paddle a great one to organised. If you only have one car it's not too far to wander back over the regional park to get your car.

Experience/Fitness Level: Not for beginners but great spot for Intermediates+. Average fitness required for cruising for 2 hours.

Tide: Any tide. Low-Mid tide is good as the reefs get exposed and make for some fun exploring.

Hazards:  A couple of reefs to navigate/explore at lower tides. Swells from the N-NE-E-SE can get into the coast so flat day is best.

Wind: N-NE-E-SE-S-SW blows in so need light winds in those directions or gets choppy quickly. NW winds blow across Army Bay. W blows across the Whangaparoa peninsula so ok but not too strong.

Tips: Booties useful as reefs in places. Take a camera as there are some interesting photos and perspectives of the North Shore and Gulf. Take a picnic and enjoy the secluded beaches along the way.

Things to explore: There are several reefs that are great to explore, especially off the very northern tip of the peninsula. Paddle through the rocks and reef system. Check out the amazing the geological rock formations along the cliffs. Spot the old gun defence bunkers dotted along the cliffs. Catch a rolling swell and hitch a ride.

Map:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lake Pupuke

Paddle Time: Around the lake is about 45min cruising/exploring.

Launch/Parking: Sylvan Park Avenue 

Experience/Fitness Level: Great spot for Beginners and Intermediates+

Tide: None

Hazards:  Weed.

Wind: N-NE-E-S-SW-W-NW blows in so need light winds in those directions or gets choppy. Generally pretty sheltered from winds but can get choppy. 

Tips: Check out the lake front properties and paddle under the overhanging trees.

Things to explore: The Takapuna Pump House Theatre is alongside the lake.

Amenities: Toilets at Sylvan Park, Cafes/Bars in Takapuna.

Map:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Greenhithe - Paremoremo Creek - to Kell Park in Albany

This is a great SUP adventure through a part of the North Shore and Upper Harbour rarely seen. That's what I love about SUP is the exploring around Auckland harbour is amazing!

Paddle Time: About 1.5 hours / 7km each way cruising/exploring.

Launch/Parking: South end launch from Rame Rd in Greenhithe and park near Salthouse Boat Yard and launch off the boat ramp. Mid way up Paremoremo Creek you can launch from Wharf Rd. Alternatively you can launch from Kell Park in Albany and park there.

Experience/Fitness Level: Great spot for Intermediates+ as a longer distance paddle.

Tide: Mid-High

Hazards:  Rocks in shallow water parts, crocs!!!...just kidding.

Wind: Generally pretty sheltered from winds but can get choppy in a SW or NE.

Tips: Pretend you are paddling down the Amazon. Check out the creek front mansions and paddle through some of the mangroves.

Things to explore: The water was super smooth and great for paddling. The wide estuary slowly got narrower as it became Paremoremo Creek and got shallow in some spots. In places there are no houses and surrounded by mangoves you feel that you are somewhere really remote and I kept expecting to see crocs slither into the water from the banks...until you paddle around the corner and see a big mansion parked on the side of the bank!

After 1.5 hours we got all the way up to Kell Park in Albany. Kell Park is a great little park tucked away on banks of Paremoremo Creek behind old Albany high street. We pulled in there for a refreshment in Albany before setting off back to Greenhithe.

The trip back was amazing as the one up there but after 3 hours paddling we were keen to see Greenhithe again!

A fantastic long distance paddle of about 14km which took about 1.5 hours each way of just cruising and exploring. It is a good paddle to combine with familes as the paddlers can get dropped off and paddle up to Kell Park which is a nice spot for a picnic and a well earned beer!

Amenities: Toilets at Kell Park in Albany and Cafes/Bars in Albany

Map: Approx 7km each way