Ti Point

The Reptile Park on Ti Point Road is where you can see iguana, turtles, geckos and a whole lot of other strange reptiles. The Ti Point Road finishes via an unsealed road at  the Ti Point wharf. The wharf is popular for fishing off but lines should be brought in if a boat approaches. Looking south from here is the northern tip of Omaha Beach and to the north you can see mangrove trees close to the shore. There is a small ramp where small dinghies could be launched and steps that lead down to the water. Note the little shrimps on the steps. A walking track begins near the toilet block – see more on our Walks page.

Omaha Beach

Omaha is a sand spit that has many houses, mainly holiday homes, and is accessed by a causeway that crosses the Whangateau Harbour. The ocean beach is long and sandy and surf lifesavers operate during summer. On the harbour side there is a very large concrete boat ramp and wharf with plenty of parking plus a small toilet block.

You can walk the beach or along the wooden walkways between the houses and the sand dunes where there is also beach access through the dunes. A variety of pouwhenua (carved Maori poles) sit alongside the walking above the beach. There is also a walkway through a wetland area at the south end. Omaha has numerous playgrounds, tennis courts plus a golf course. Dogs are permitted on beach and walkways if on leash (see Auckland Council bylaws on signs at the beach). Native dotterels and oystercatchers nest in the dunes at the northern end of the beach where dogs are not permitted.

Point Wells

This is a small community that sits at the edge of the harbour. There is a small concrete boat ramp where boats can be launched into the harbour best at high tide. A cycle/walk track goes from Point Wells Road to Omaha Flats Road and Jones Road where the cycleway from Matakana exits.

Whangateau Harbour

This is a small village with a long history. A holiday park is sited right on the edge of the harbour and from here visitors can swim in calmer, warmer and often clearer water than the nearby coast. This harbour is also ideal for kayaking and wind surfing. The best time to snorkel is around an hour before high tide when the water is still flowing in. Start from the Whangateau Domain or holiday park and swim towards Horseshoe Island or the large mangrove trees just to the south. You will see schools of yellow-eyed mullet. Look for flounder resting on the sand, dozens of crabs, mantis shrimps that live in the little holes, cockles and other sea shells. Watch for any boat traffic that may be moving past.

At low tide there is a huge area of sand where you can explore the marine life such as crabs, sea shells and sea stars. Birds are attracted here and you can usually see white-faced grey herons feeding on the sand flats. Between September and March migratory birds such as godwits also feed before the long flight to the northern Pacific. At low tide you can walk across to Horseshoe Island, but take care if signs say there are nesting birds. The harbour is closed to cockle and pipi collecting.

A raft race is held in the harbour once a year where all manner of crafts are entered with rules such as no nails.

A short drive down Big Omaha Wharf Road will take you to the historic Big Omaha Wharf where boats were unloaded and loaded before the road was built. The shed on top has been restored and there are information signs. From the wharf the view is across Whangateau Harbour to Point Wells and Omaha.

Whangateau Domain

This large flat grassed area has sports fields with the holiday park at one end and Rodney Rams, a local sports club at the northern end. There is a BBQ, children’s playground, netball, basketball and tennis courts and a small boat ramp. A path runs alongside the shore and there are plenty of picnic options. Dogs are allowed under control on leash.

During WWII American soldiers camped at Whangateau and were involved with training in the area before travelling to the Pacific Islands.