Awana Bay facts for kids

Awana Bay is a beautiful beach located on the east coast of Great Barrier Island. This island is part of the Hauraki Gulf in New Zealand's Auckland Region. It's a popular spot for people who love to swim and surf.

Awana Bay

Beach Fun

Awana Bay is a great place for both swimmers and surfers. The beach slopes quite steeply into the water. This means it can have strong waves and currents that pull you out to sea. These are called rip currents. It's important to be careful when swimming here.

For surfers, Awana Bay offers several good spots. These are best for surfers who are intermediate or expert. There's a great wave that breaks to the left at the northern end of the bay. Another good left-breaking wave can be found at the southern end.

Camping at Awana Bay

If you love camping, there's a special campsite at Awana Bay. It's run by the Department of Conservation. You'll find it at the northern end of the bay, about 300 metres from the beach. This campsite is quite large. It can hold up to 120 people at one time. It has staff present for about a month each year. This is usually between Christmas Day and Auckland Anniversary Day.

Nature and Wildlife

Awana Bay is home to a sand dune and an estuary. An estuary is where a river meets the sea. This area is very important for nature. It is a breeding and nesting ground for special birds. These include the endangered Brown Teal and the Dotterel. Protecting these areas helps these birds survive.

Getting There and Rules

The area around Awana Bay can only be reached by a narrow gravel road. You are not allowed to drive your vehicle directly onto the beach. It's important to remember that there are no rubbish bins at the bay. This means you need to take all your rubbish with you when you leave. Dogs are also not allowed at Awana Bay.

Local Area

The land around Awana Bay is mostly farmland. It also includes some special places for the local Māori people. These are sacred sites of Ngāti Rehua Ngati Wai ki Aotea.