Cockle Bay Reserve is an Auckland Council park on Shelly Beach Parade in Cockle Bay, Manukau City, on Auckland's eastern shoreline, and it carries a 4.6 Google rating. On tidal shorelines the day changes twice over, because high water suits a swim while low water opens the mudflats and shellbanks, so checking a tide table before leaving home is the first habit worth picking up. Shade is the second consideration, as the pōhutukawa that fringe these eastern beaches make the best picnic corners and the good spots go early on fine summer weekends. Dog rules on council reserves are posted at the entrances and change from beach to beach, so read the sign rather than assume. Council parks need no booking, but the current facility details live on Auckland Council's parks pages if you want to check ahead. For Cockle Bay locals, the tide chart and the shoreline are only ever a short walk down Shelly Beach Parade.