Murrays Bay Beach is a beachside reserve at 513A Beach Rd in Murrays Bay, on Auckland's North Shore, and holds a 4.6 Google rating from locals and visitors. Beach reserves reward a little local know-how: the tide makes the difference between a proper swim and a paddle across the shallows, so it's worth checking tide times before you set out. East-facing beaches on this coast usually offer calm, family-friendly water, though after heavy rain it pays to check water-quality warnings before a dip. Summer weekends fill fast, so arriving early secures both parking and a patch of shade, which can be scarce above the sand. Sitting on the Hauraki Gulf at the end of Beach Rd, this is a favourite stop on the East Coast Bays for a swim, and a natural pause on the coastal walkway that threads between the bays.