Point Chevalier Beach sits in Stillwater, Rodney, north of central Auckland, and visitors have given it a solid 4.5 Google rating.
Calm, shallow beaches around Auckland's estuaries and upper harbours reward a little planning. Swimming is usually best in the hours either side of high tide, when the water is deeper and cleaner; at low tide the same spots can turn to wide sand and mudflats, good for exploring, less so for a proper dip. Sheltered water warms quickly through summer and suits children and less confident swimmers, though it pays to check council water-quality notices after heavy rain. And New Zealand's UV is sharp even on overcast days, so hats, sunscreen and a patch of shade belong in the bag.
For Stillwater, a well-rated stretch of coast like Point Chevalier puts all of that within an easy morning or evening outing.