Last updated October 2026
Taurikura Bay is a small sandy beach on Whangārei Heads Road, close to the entrance of Whangārei Harbour and about 22 kilometres from central Whangārei in a straight line.
LAWA’s site description calls the water calm and shallow, which makes it a good spot for children to swim, and notes a playground, public toilets, tennis courts and pōhutukawa trees by the beach.
Northland Regional Council tests the water here every month through the year, with results on LAWA and Safeswim. The site holds a Fair long-term grade on LAWA: the water is usually suitable, but it is more likely to be affected after rain, so check before you swim.
Across the harbour lies Marsden Point, and the walks of Bream Head are a short drive further along the road.
Swimming Facts
Before you swim: Tested monthly all year by Northland Regional Council. Stay out for 48 hours after heavy rain. Latest result on LAWA
Today at Taurikura Bay
Tuesday 10 NovemberWater quality track record
What the grades mean
Excellent and Good: rarely unsafe for swimming. Fair: usually fine, but avoid swimming after rain. Poor: often unsuitable, especially after rain, so check the latest result first.
Grades use LAWA’s method: the 95th percentile of routine enterococci results over the five summers from 2020/21 to 2024/25, with at least 50 tests (347 per 100 mL from 59 tests).
Practical Information
- Location
- Taurikura, Whangārei Heads Road, near the entrance to Whangārei Harbour
- Distance from Whangārei
- About 22 km from the city centre in a straight line; by road via Onerahi and Whangārei Heads Road
- Water
- Calm, shallow harbour beach, tidal (nearest tide station: Marsden Point, 2.5 km)
- Water quality
- Fair (LAWA long-term grade, summers 2020/21 to 2024/25)
- Testing
- Monthly through the year by Northland Regional Council, with results on LAWA and Safeswim
- Patrols
- None: the district’s patrolled surf beaches are elsewhere
- Facilities nearby
- Playground, public toilets and tennis courts (per LAWA’s site description)
About Taurikura Bay
Taurikura is one of the small bays strung along Whangārei Heads Road on the northern side of Whangārei Harbour, towards the harbour entrance where it opens into Bream Bay. The beach is short and sandy, backed by pōhutukawa, and it faces across the water towards Marsden Point on the far shore.
LAWA’s description of the site, written for Northland Regional Council’s swimming programme, retells a Māori legend behind the name. In the story, Taurikura was the daughter of a chief who refused to help her elderly grandfather.
One night she turned into a ngārara (lizard) and ran away, staying on Karewa, where she became the ancestor of the tuatara. The description notes that local schools share the story to teach humility and respect for elders.
The bay is part of the wider Whangārei Heads area, which the Department of Conservation says holds historic Māori sites and World War II sites. Bream Head Scenic Reserve, further along the peninsula, is described by DOC as one of New Zealand’s premier coastal forest reserves, with walks from about an hour and a half to five or six hours.
With calm, shallow water, a playground and toilets close by, Taurikura suits families with younger children and makes an easy stop for a swim on the way to or from the Heads. Whangārei Harbour also has two marine reserves, Reotahi and Waikaraka, where fishing is not allowed.
Swimming and Water Quality at Taurikura Bay
Northland Regional Council samples the water at Taurikura Bay every month through the year and publishes the results on LAWA and Safeswim. The site has a Fair LAWA long-term grade, based on 59 routine tests over the summers of 2020/21 to 2024/25.
Across 72 tests between December 2019 and April 2025, 93% were suitable for swimming. A small number of samples in most summers have been unsuitable, which is why the grade is Fair rather than Good. Fair means the water is usually suitable, but bacteria levels can rise, especially after rain.
Check the latest result on LAWA or Safeswim before you swim, and stay out of the water for at least 48 hours after heavy rain.
Northland Regional Council suggests waiting two to three days after heavy rainfall, when runoff carries bacteria into the harbour. Health authorities have issued short-term warnings for Whangārei Harbour after sewage overflows in the past, so look for any current alert before getting in.
The water here is calm and shallow, but there are no lifeguards, so supervise children closely. Boats use the harbour, so swim close to shore and stay visible. If you want to gather shellfish, check the Ministry for Primary Industries shellfish biotoxin alerts first.
Getting There
From Whangārei, head out along Riverside Drive and Onerahi Road, then take Whangārei Heads Road east along the harbour. DOC puts the Whangārei Heads area about 27 kilometres south-east of Whangārei. Taurikura is on the road towards the harbour entrance, with the beach beside it.
Continuing along the road brings you to the tracks of Bream Head Scenic Reserve and to Ocean Beach, one of the district’s patrolled surf beaches, where lifeguards generally patrol from Labour Weekend until Easter.
Where to Learn More
LAWA and Northland Regional Council: the latest “Can I Swim Here?” result, site description and long-term grade for Taurikura Bay.
Northland Regional Council: how Safeswim works in Northland and how long to wait after rain before swimming.
Department of Conservation: the Whangārei Heads area and Bream Head Scenic Reserve walks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim at Taurikura Bay?
Yes. LAWA describes the water as calm and shallow and good for children, and Northland Regional Council tests it monthly. Check the latest result first and avoid swimming after rain.
What is the water quality like at Taurikura Bay?
The site has a Fair LAWA long-term grade, based on 59 routine tests over summers 2020/21 to 2024/25. Of 72 tests between December 2019 and April 2025, 93% were suitable for swimming. Water quality is most likely to drop after rain.
Who tests the water at Taurikura?
Northland Regional Council samples the bay monthly through the year and publishes results on LAWA and Safeswim.
Should I swim after rain?
No. Stay out for at least 48 hours after heavy rain. Northland Regional Council suggests waiting two to three days, as runoff can carry bacteria into the harbour.
Is Taurikura Bay good for children?
LAWA describes the water as calm and shallow, and there is a playground near the beach. There are no lifeguards, so keep children within reach.
What is the story behind the name Taurikura?
LAWA’s site description retells a Māori legend of Taurikura, a chief’s daughter who turned into a lizard after refusing to help her grandfather and became the ancestor of the tuatara.
How far is Taurikura Bay from Whangārei?
It is about 22 kilometres from central Whangārei in a straight line, reached along Whangārei Heads Road past Onerahi.
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Sources and data notes 2
- Today at Taurikura Bay: Tides: LINZ, CC BY 4.0; predictions only. Sea temperature: NASA JPL MUR satellite data for 7 Nov, via Tideteller.
- Water quality track record: Water quality: © LAWA and partner organisations (Northland Regional Council), licensed under CC BY 4.0, results to April 2025.