Omaha Beach, New Zealand

1 hour drive north of Auckland, turn right at Warkworth, go thru Matakana (watch out for the organic hippies) and follow signs to Omaha.
350 permanent residents, swell to 2000 during Xmas and New Years.
Used to be a cosy retirement settlement with perfect white sandy beach 4kms long - used to be known as Shark Beach - can't think why they renamed it?

Surf is okay on a good day depending on swell direction - good for long boarding and paddle boarding.

A group of shops has now been built by the surfclub - contains a much needed dairy for the locals and a cafe, has been spoilt with the prominent position of a real estate company there also.

Well run and well maintained surf club is smack bang in the middle of the beach - also runs little nippers as well as flagged days during the year.