Kendall Bay Beach sits on the waterfront at Woodside Bay, on Waiheke Island, and carries a 4.6 rating on Google.
Beaches on the strait side of Waiheke behave differently from the island's big open sands: the water stays calm even on breezy days, which is why regulars favour these coves for a quiet swim, a kayak or a paddle with children. Tides matter more here than newcomers expect — many small gulf beaches give proper sand and swimming depth only around high water, while at low tide the same bay can be mostly flats and weed, so a quick check of a tide chart before setting out saves disappointment. The smaller coves rarely have shops or patrolled swimming areas nearby, so locals arrive self-sufficient, with water, shade and shoes for the rockier edges.
For anyone exploring beyond Oneroa and Onetangi, Kendall Bay offers the sheltered, unhurried swimming that Woodside Bay does best.