Mission Bay Travel Guide

Auckland

Mission Bay featuring a coastal town and a beach
Mission Bay showing a sandy beach and general coastal views
Mission Bay which includes a coastal town and general coastal views
Mission Bay
Mission Bay which includes vehicle touring and general coastal views

Relax on golden sands or dine in some of the city’s best restaurants at this pretty beach escape, just a 15-minute drive outside of central Auckland.

Swim, kayak or paddle board in the safe, clear waters at Mission Bay or join the joggers and walkers keeping fit along the promenade. Place your towel in the shade of a pohutukawa tree and enjoy an afternoon’s rest then head for a drink or meal in one of the many cafés and bars along the oceanfront.

Located on the southern shores of Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour, Mission Bay is the most popular of the city’s eastern beaches. The cafés, restaurants and bars here have a great atmosphere year-round. Visit Mission Bay for a tasty breakfast, great coffee or a romantic dinner, all with stunning views across the water.

Relaxing in the sun is the favoured pastime on the beach, and on any day of the week you will see locals enjoying the calm waters and soft sands. Buy an ice cream, lay down your towel and spend a few peaceful hours by the water.

If you’re feeling active, jog or walk along the promenade and take in the ocean views. Keep walking east and you will discover more pretty bays, with Kohimarama and St. Heliers beaches a short distance away. For a more challenging walk, climb to the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Garden, which has superb views across the harbour and Rangitoto Island. To explore the bay by water, rent paddleboards, kayaks and sail boats from stores nearby.

Behind the beach you’ll see the Trevor Davis Memorial Fountain, carved from fine Sicilian marble. Come here during the hot summer months to cool off beneath the jets of water that spurt from the mouths of the carved sea monsters.

Mission Bay is located just 5 miles (8 kilometres) from central Auckland. Regular buses connect the beach to the city. If driving, you will find parking just behind the beach.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Mission Bay

Cordis, Auckland by Langham Hospitality Group

Cordis, Auckland by Langham Hospitality Group

5 out of 5
83 Symonds Street, Box 2771, Auckland
The price is Rp1.359.402 per night from 23 Oct to 24 Oct
Rp1.359.402
Rp1.563.312 total
23 Oct - 24 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star spa hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,414 reviews)
"Always a lovely stay"

Reviewed on 1 Oct 2025

Cordis, Auckland by Langham Hospitality Group
The Grand by SkyCity

The Grand by SkyCity

5 out of 5
90 Federal Street, Auckland
The price is Rp2.038.840 per night from 12 Oct to 13 Oct
Rp2.038.840
Rp2.344.632 total
12 Oct - 13 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 11 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,815 reviews)
"The team were very responsive to an issue we reported on."

Reviewed on 30 Sept 2025

The Grand by SkyCity
Holiday Inn Auckland Airport by IHG

Holiday Inn Auckland Airport by IHG

4 out of 5
2 Ascot Road, Auckland
The price is Rp1.422.532 per night from 19 Oct to 20 Oct
Rp1.422.532
Rp1.635.912 total
19 Oct - 20 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,009 reviews)
"The room was great and staff friendly and helpful. The carpets in the corridors have seen better days unfortunately but that didn’t affect our stay."

Reviewed on 27 Sept 2025

Holiday Inn Auckland Airport by IHG
Horizon by SkyCity

Horizon by SkyCity

5 out of 5
85-93 Hobson Street,, Auckland, Auckland, Auckland
The price is Rp1.968.332 per night from 5 Oct to 6 Oct
Rp1.968.332
Rp2.263.597 total
5 Oct - 6 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Popular attractions SkyCity Casino and Sky Tower ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (542 reviews)
"Lots of dining"

Reviewed on 1 Oct 2025

Horizon by SkyCity
Novotel Auckland Airport

Novotel Auckland Airport

4.5 out of 5
35 Tom Pearce Dr, Auckland International Airport, Auckland
The price is Rp2.922.785 per night from 20 Oct to 21 Oct
Rp2.922.785
Rp3.361.203 total
20 Oct - 21 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Auckland. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), 24-hour room service and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,008 reviews)
"The front desk staff were amazing and attentive as we were travelling with our young grandchildren. Top notch!!"

Reviewed on 30 Sept 2025

Novotel Auckland Airport
ibis budget Auckland Airport

ibis budget Auckland Airport

3 out of 5
2 Leonard Isitt Drive, Auckland
The price is Rp1.458.811 per night from 25 Oct to 26 Oct
Rp1.458.811
Rp1.677.633 total
25 Oct - 26 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Auckland. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,622 reviews)
"room was basic, but clean and comfortable. perfect for overnight stay, close to the airport terminals and yellow bus stops out the front for transit to and from terminals"

Reviewed on 1 Oct 2025

ibis budget Auckland Airport
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Mission Bay

Devonport which includes street scenes

Devonport

Shopping, restaurants and waterfront views highlight some of the noteworthy features of Devonport. Make a stop by Cheltenham Beach or Mount Victoria while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Devonport
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Remuera

Remuera is noteworthy for its bars, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Ellerslie Racecourse and Ellerslie Events Centre.

Remuera
Auckland Domain which includes a garden

Parnell

5/5(8 area reviews)

Visitors often come to Parnell for its abundant dining options, but many stay to explore sights like Parnell Rose Gardens and Auckland Museum. Getting around the area on the metro is easy if you take a ride at The Strand Station.

Parnell
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Newmarket

Shopping and restaurants are notable features of Newmarket. You might consider stopping by Westfield Newmarket while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Newmarket
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Ellerslie

Restaurants, shopping and spas highlight some of the notable features of Ellerslie. Make a stop by Ellerslie Racecourse while you're exploring.

Ellerslie
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Grafton

If you're spending some time in Grafton, Grafton Bridge and Symonds Street Cemetery are top sights worth seeing.

Grafton


Mission Bay Travel Guide