St Heliers

An eastern-suburbs Auckland beach along Tamaki Drive that is a favourite easy-access flat-water spot for local kiters, with silky smooth knee-deep water in the couple of hours around low tide.

beginnerflat waterfreeride

Mission Bay Beach, the adjacent eastern-bays beach next to St Heliers — gérard / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Gower Point, closest headland viewpoint near the spot — russellstreet / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Wind

best months	Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb
direction to shore	best with NW-NE wind

Water

type	flat
tides	any tide works but low tide is best; 2-3 hours before low tide gives butter-flat, knee-deep water
standing depth	shallow, knee-deep near low tide

Levels

beginner	yes
intermediate	yes
advanced	no
notes	a well-known learner-friendly flat-water spot

Launch & crowd

description	launch anywhere on the beach; most launch near the boat ramp
vibe	popular local kiters' spot along Tamaki Drive

Hazards

swim lane to avoid
wind shadow at eastern end of beach

Rules

stay clear of the marked swim lane

Tips

avoid the eastern end of the beach - it sits in wind shadow
best window is 2-3 hours either side of low tide

Travel basics

airport	AKL Auckland International Airport
getting there	short drive from central Auckland along Tamaki Drive
accommodation	stay in Auckland city, ~15-20 min away
cost level	mid
no wind	cafes along Tamaki Drive, Auckland city sightseeing

Nearby: Shoal Bay, Shakespeare Regional Park

Sources: o2sport.co.nz · web.kite-and-windsurfing-guide.com