Baylys Beach – Dunes, cliffs and beach activities

Baylys Beach is a small part of Ripiro Beach, the longest beach on New Zealand’s west coast. Impressive sandstone cliffs, high dunes and ever-changing sunsets shape the coastal landscape. The dunes are considered wild and rugged. When planning your visit, tides and access conditions are relevant alongside activities.

Coast and activities

For land-based activities, options include long, windswept beach walks and the coastal walking trail. Sunset horse rides are also among the activities at Baylys Beach. This gives you a choice of beach walks, a coastal route on foot and horse rides.

Swimming, surfing, boogie boarding and kitesurfing are also options at Baylys Beach. Visitors can also paddle out into the wild waters of the west coast. Waves and sea conditions change; wind is an additional factor for kitesurfing. Check current water quality and safety information before swimming. Anyone planning a water activity should take local conditions into account.

You can also fish from the beach; surfcasting is another option. Fishing regulations and conditions may vary, so it is advisable to check the latest information before fishing.

At low tide, visitors can collect shellfish. Check the applicable rules and any closures beforehand. Toheroa, a well-known local shellfish delicacy, is clearly distinct: after overfishing in the 1960s and 1970s, public gathering was prohibited.

Getting around the beach

A boardwalk about 200 metres long connects the beach to the car park and provides a dedicated walking route with ramps and handrails. The structure was completed in December 2024. Check for maintenance work and possible temporary closures before your visit. The Kaipara District Council maintains public toilets at Baylys Beach; you can check their condition on site. There are also picnic and play areas for families. If these facilities are important to your plans, it is advisable to check the latest information.

Access is normally available to most vehicles at low tide. Tides, surf and erosion can affect access, so check local conditions before driving. Tides therefore matter both for getting there and for any shellfish gathering. Anyone driving on the beach should stay on the harder sand below the high-water mark.

Coastal history

The wreck of the Alcemene, a three-masted French warship that sank in 1815, was found at Baylys Beach. The discovery connects this coastal settlement with a specific episode in maritime history. Remains of an ancient kauri forest have also been exposed at Baylys Beach. They contrast with today’s dune and beach landscape.

Discover more destinations: Kaiwaka, Donnellys Crossing, Dargaville, Paparoa, Kaihu, Maungaturoto, Mangawhai

Go to the main travel overview: Kaipara District.