Jenkins Bay

Jenkins Bay is a sheltered, low-profile kitesurfing spot in the Manukau Harbour area (Waitākere Ranges), with shallow, cloudy water and a tidal beach setup. Conditions include small chop/small-wave character in the estuarine bay, and the water tends to be shallow near the shore (with depth increasing toward the channel). Wind is most consistently useful from the south-southwest to west-southwest (SSW–SW), with a thermal/sea-breeze influence in summer. The spot’s best months are December, January, February, and March (with December also listed among top months). However, reported wind reliability is very low to low/variable depending on the source, with some dependence on frequent southwesterly fronts in the Auckland region. Safety is a major consideration: oyster-covered rocks and rocks around the bay are explicitly flagged hazards. Booties are strongly recommended/essential because sharp shells can cut lines and feet. There are also risks tied to strong tidal currents in Manukau Harbour, plus power lines near the road and trees lining parts of the rigging/launch area. Sessions are typically limited to about a couple of hours on either side of high tide, and no riding is available at low tide due to extensive mudflats. For kitesurfing, the spot is described as intermediate-friendly and can offer relatively calmer water inside the sheltered bay when wind is dialed. For other sports, windsurfing is possible during high tide with SSW winds, while wingfoiling is more constrained: foiling requires near peak high tide for sufficient depth and is considered limited due to shallow hazards near shore.