Kaitoke Beach is a long sandy beach and settlement on the east coast of Great Barrier Island in the Hauraki Gulf of the

Auckland Region Auckland () is one of the sixteen regions of New Zealand, which takes its name from the eponymous urban area. The region encompasses the Auckland Metropolitan Area, smaller towns, rural areas, and the islands of the Hauraki Gulf. Containing ...

of New Zealand. At the northern end is the Kaitoke Creek, which drains the Kaitoke Swamp, and a headland, beyond which is Palmers Beach. At the southern end is the Sugar Loaf headland and beyond that

Medlands Beach Medlands Beach is in Oruawharo Bay on the east coast of Great Barrier Island in the Auckland Region of New Zealand. Auckland Council describes it as the most accessible beach on the island. It is one of the island's main tourist areas but is l ...

. Kaitoke Beach has golden sand and dunes. The township of Claris and

Great Barrier Aerodrome Great Barrier Aerodrome is the major airfield on Great Barrier Island. It is a small, uncontrolled aerodrome at Claris on Great Barrier Island in the Hauraki Gulf off the North Island of New Zealand. Fuel is not available. The town of Claris ...

are near the beach, which can be seen by travellers flying in or out of the aerodrome. Claris has a general store, a New Zealand Post shop, a petrol station and other facilities. The beach is accessible from Oceanview Road, midway along the beach, and from Sugarloaf Road at the southern end of the beach, where there is a private campground. The beach provides consistent surf throughout the year, with left and right hand waves. It is rarely crowded, but the Aotea Board Riders Club have surf competitions on the beach when conditions allow. There is a risk of rips. Stingrays and hammerhead sharks may be present. The beach is an important nesting ground for the endangered brown teal and dotterel.

History

In January 2013, a vegetation fire burned over 100 hectares near Claris and Kaitoke Beach. A planned flight departure at the aerodrome was moved to

Okiwi Airfield Okiwi Airfield , also called Okiwi Station Airfield, is a small airfield located near the village of Okiwi on Great Barrier Island, New Zealand. It has a single bitumen runway, and a small terminal in the form of a wooden hut. The airfield is ow ...

, east of Ōkiwi.

References

{{Hauraki Gulf Great Barrier Island Beaches of the Auckland Region Populated places in the Auckland Region