Sandy Bay

Sandy Bay: crowds and conditions

Typical pattern: moderate; weekends busier. Been there recently? Post today’s status and it shows here for the next traveller.

Status options for this beach: Open, good conditions · Very crowded · Approach road bad · Closed / not accessible.

Best time to visit Sandy Bay

Season: October to March; rough seas and lifeguard warnings June to September.

Busiest days: Weekends and long holidays.

Crowd: Moderate; weekends busier.

Typical week: Mon light · Tue light · Wed light · Thu light · Fri light · Sat busy · Sun busy.

Visiting Sandy Bay: tips

• Swim only where lifeguards or flags show it is safe.

How to reach Sandy Bay — distance from nearby cities

Coordinates: -35.35642, 174.35793. Road distances are estimates; the road-trip planner uses real routes and adds stops worth the detour.

Places to visit near Sandy Bay

• Urupukapuka Island · river spot · Far North · ~24 km · Must-see
• Cape Brett Lighthouse · beach · Far North · ~25 km · Must-see
• Cape Brett · beach · Far North · ~26 km · Must-see
• Ruapekapeka · fort · Far North · ~28 km · Must-see
• Bay of Islands · beach · Far North · ~29 km · Must-see
• Maiki Hill · viewpoint · Far North · ~30 km · Must-see
• Waro Limestone Scenic Reserve · sanctuary · Whangārei · ~33 km · Must-see
• Ngātokimatawhaorua · attraction · Far North · ~34 km · Must-see
• The Treaty House · fort · Far North · ~34 km · Must-see
• Rangihoua Bay · beach · Far North · ~39 km · Must-see
• Te Puke · viewpoint · Far North · ~40 km · Must-see
• Whangārei Falls · waterfall · Whangārei · ~46 km · Must-see
• Holy Trinity Church · church · Far North · ~46 km · Must-see
• Hurupaki · viewpoint · Whangārei · ~46 km · Must-see
• Purerua Peninsula · beach · Far North · ~46 km · Must-see
• Poor Knights Islands Nature Reserve · sanctuary · Northland · ~46 km · Must-see
• Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve · sanctuary · Northland · ~47 km · Must-see
• Pouerua · viewpoint · Far North · ~48 km · Must-see

See everything within a day’s drive of Sandy Bay

Other beaches & coast near Sandy Bay

• Cape Brett Lighthouse · beach · Far North · ~25 km · Must-see
• Cape Brett · beach · Far North · ~26 km · Must-see
• Bay of Islands · beach · Far North · ~29 km · Must-see
• Rangihoua Bay · beach · Far North · ~39 km · Must-see
• Purerua Peninsula · beach · Far North · ~46 km · Must-see
• Whangārei Harbour · beach · Whangārei · ~61 km · Must-see
• One Tree Point · beach · Whangārei · ~65 km · Must-see
• Marsden Point · beach · Whangārei · ~69 km · Must-see
• Manaia / Bream Head · beach · Whangārei · ~74 km · Must-see
• Uretiti Beach · beach · Northland · ~83 km · Must-see

All beaches & coast in Northland

Frequently asked