Waiake is a small East Coast Bays Auckland suburb between Torbay and the Long Bay border — sheltered Waiake Beach, established residential streets, and a quiet local-community character that’s distinctly less touristy than the busier southern East Coast Bays.
Practical Information
| Location | Upper East Coast Bays, North Shore Auckland — between Torbay and Long Bay |
| Distance to CBD | ~22 km — about 30 min drive via SH1 |
| Local board | Hibiscus and Bays Local Board |
| Standout features | Waiake Beach, walking distance to Long Bay Regional Park, quiet community |
| Transport | Buses on East Coast Road; SH1 motorway access |
| Character | Quiet beachside residential community |
About Waiake
Waiake is a small upper-East Coast Bays Auckland suburb — between Torbay (south) and Long Bay (north), with sheltered Waiake Beach as the central recreational feature. The suburb has a strong local community character built around the beach and the local primary school, with residents tending to know each other and treating the beach as a community gathering space rather than a tourist destination.
Waiake Beach
Waiake Beach is a small sheltered sand cove between rocky headlands — quiet family swimming with calm Hauraki Gulf conditions. Distinguishes itself from the more famous Long Bay (a regional park drawing visitors from across Auckland) by being primarily a local community beach rather than a destination. The intimate scale and sheltered position make it ideal for families wanting consistent quiet beach access.
Walking Distance to Long Bay
Waiake is walking distance from the much larger Long Bay Regional Park beach — Auckland’s most-visited regional park. The combination of having both a quiet local beach (Waiake) and a major destination beach (Long Bay) within easy walking range gives Waiake residents unusual beach choice flexibility — quiet local swim in the morning, larger Long Bay outing in the afternoon if wanted.
Where to Learn More
Safeswim — Waiake Beach — real-time water quality monitoring.
Auckland Council — Long Bay Regional Park — adjacent regional park.
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board — local government area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Waiake?
Upper East Coast Bays, North Shore Auckland, between Torbay and Long Bay.
What’s Waiake Beach like?
Small sheltered sand cove between rocky headlands — quiet local community swimming beach.
Is Long Bay walking distance?
Yes — Long Bay Regional Park (Auckland’s most-visited regional park) is walking distance north.
What’s the character?
Quiet local community-feel beachside residential — distinctly less touristy than southern East Coast Bays.
For more East Coast Bays see Auckland Suburbs — including Torbay immediately south.