About | Baylys Beach
Ten minutes from Dargaville, pass through a colourful and sweet seaside town as you drive down to Baylys Beach. The beach is popular for sand yachting, quad biking, hang gliding, surfing, surfcasting and horse riding. The beach can be dangerous with strong rips and powerful waves. Baylys Beach has no Lifeguarding Service. It is not advisable to swim here, but there’s plenty to explore.
In 1807 the area was a major battlefield between the invading Nga Puhi and local Ngati Whatua. It was the first time muskets (muzzle-loaded long gun) were used in tribal warfare, however, the local Ngati Whatua defeated the musket wielding Nga Puhi with their traditional weapons. A monument commemorating the battle stands at the beach.
Baylys Beach is the gateway to Ripiro Beach, New Zealand’s longest driveable beach (it’s even longer than the more famous 90 Mile Beach). This 100-kilometre long beach is backed by high, golden sand dunes and is the site of many shipwrecks, which you might be able to find evidence of. You can view many of the salvaged shipwreck relics at the Dargaville Museum. There have been over 113 shipwrecks recorded along the Kaipara Coastline.
If you have a 4×4 you can drive along the beach, this should be done two hours before and after low tide to avoid being stranded when the tide comes in. It’s a beautiful beach to drive and check out the golden sand dunes.
Stay and watch the sunset (fish and chips are just up the road), it’s a photographer’s dream.
Grab some fish and chips from Sharkeys, just up the road if you’re getting hungry. They’ve got snacks and ice creams for the kids, too.
Nearby
Location
At the end of Seaview Road, 4×4 access.
Photos
It was a windy day but we wanted to hit the beach before heading home after a road trip exploring the Kauri Coast.
We were totally amazed by the high sand dunes, their formations and the little tracks running through them.
