This is probably my favourite local beach to paddleboard at. It's a fairly open beach, so although there's not much to explore on it's own, there are plenty of places to travel to, in all directions.
Parking next to the beach is limited, although there is a large carpark across the road, both of which are free and have no time-limit, which is pretty rad. There's also a cafe and a park to refuel at after a long trek, which is also handy.
The beach itself is wide and exposed, leading to it being easily battered by the wind, making it messy and rough in some conditions.
However, for the most part Narrowneck is known to be glassy and clear, especially in the mornings.
Choosing to stay in the realms of Narrowneck won't get you much scenery, although the stationary view of Rangitoto that you will get is beautiful. However, the generally glassy conditions lend themselves to endurance and flat-water race training, aided by the buoys about 200m out.
Close to the shore, you'll get good beginners conditions and you may even catch some runners on your way in. Further out, on a wider board or kayak is perfect for fishing, especially in the morning sun.
The best part about Narrowneck, though is that it is a great starting point for adventure!
Turning left and you'll be off towards Takapuna and Milford, with lots of nooks and secret beaches along the way, although one may want to avert one's eyes at St. Leonard's, the supposed nudist beach!
You'll see rugged cliff faces and vast open sea, with plenty of awesome sealife to accompany you. This is a popular, short journey which is good for getting used to longer distance paddling. Take note of the wind direction and tides, however. It's easy to get dragged out further than you think, or get grounded upon the rocks if you're not careful.
Shifting to the right of Narrowneck, you'll end up in Cheltenham or Devonport. This journey tends to be more sheltered than to Takapuna, which makes it a good option if the conditions are a bit rougher. The views are more village-like, but you'll also see the abandoned WWII tunnels in North head and the surrounding cliffs, which are pretty eerie. It is important to note that off-shore winds make it a breeze to paddle towards Devonport, but coming back may make it more arduous.
Paddling straight out will take you to Rangitoto island. This is a straight-forward paddle which will save you the potentially steep ferry fare. It also means that you can go when you want, instead of sticking to the ferry's schedule. Along the way, you'll pretty much just be seeing Rangitoto, as it is a rather big island, but time it right and you'll see the sun rising over the top of it, which is truly spectacular.
Remember that you are crossing the main container ship path to Auckland. These ships move deceptively fast - if you see one crossing your path, stop and wait for it to go past rather than risk it. They won't stop for you, funnily enough.
Assuming you don't get in the way of one of the ships, you'll eventually arrive at Rangtoto; a giant, green, dormant volcano which you can climb. The walk up is decent, but not too gruelling, unless the day is sweltering and muggy. It's totally worth it once you get to the top, though. The panoramic views of Auckland are breath-taking, especially in the sun.
If you're not up to that, why not delve into the heart of Rangitoto, through the caves? It's a pretty mean walk, although remember to bring a torch with you, if you plan on seeing anything.
It's about 7km there and back, so you'd be sensible to bring water and it's probably a good idea to have a leash and some sort of flotation device, as the Rangitoto channel does get pretty deep.
Overall it's a beach with good potential, especially for beginners. As expected, it's flattest early in the morning, which is great if you like to be able to watch the sunrise. However, in summer, Narrowneck tends to stay pretty good throughout the day, making an evening paddle with a couple of beers at sunset a truly rewarding experience.
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| Rangitoto Sunrise at Nearby Milford beach |
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