| Whites Beach | |
|---|---|
 View of Whites Beach | |
  Whites Beach Location within the Auckland Region | |
| Location | Auckland Region, New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 36°55′49″S 174°27′22″E / 36.9304°S 174.4561°E |
| Ocean/sea sources | Tasman Sea |
Whites Beach is a small beach on the west coast of the Auckland Region of New Zealand's North Island. It is located between Piha and Anawhata.
Whites Beach is directly north of Piha, between Te Waha Point to the south and Fishermans Rock Point to the north.[1] The beach is only accessible by foot.[2] Rose Track is a walkway accessible from Anawhata Road that reaches the beach.
The beach is bordered by sand dunes, where marram grass grows.[2]
Whites Bay formed as a part of a volcanic eruption that occurred around 16 million years ago.[2] A subvertical volcanic pipe is exposed on the cliffs to the south of the beach.[3]
The beach was named after blacksmith Francis White, who was an early settler in the area who purchased land from Te Kawerau ā Maki. In 1925, land above the beach was purchased by Jim Rose, who constructed a batch on the cliffs.[4] Sir Edmund Hillary built a bach at Whites Beach.[5]
Whites Beach is accessible by the Rose Track, a walking track between the beach and Anawhata Road. Additionally, the Laird Thompson Track connects Whites Beach to Piha in the south.[6]
