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Palm Beach
Palm Beach, also known as Mawhitipana Bay, is on the northern side of Waiheke Island and is a popular destination for locals and holiday makers. The beach takes its name from the mature phoenix palms at its eastern end. Swimming is usually safe, although an occasional rip runs out from the eastern end of the beach.
Facilities include toilets in parks at the eastern end and in the centre of the beach, free gas barbecues at the eastern end, and a children's playground in the centre. The eastern end of Palm Road boasts a dairy and a fine restaurant, while the western end has an art gallery and the Palm Beach Hall - a community hall that supports a wide range of activities as well as hosting numerous weddings every year.
Little Palm Beach, a secluded bay at its western end, is famed among nudists. The dress code is optional.
Halfway down the Little Palm Beach is affectionately known as "The Seal Colony", where a group of long time naturists of a certain age hold court daily, except in inclement weather. A "life time" member, Mike, is often in the "office", the little clearing halfway down the beach. He will introduce newcomers to the "locals" and always knows the water temperature!
From Labour Weekend to the end of April every year there is a liquor ban on Palm Beach between 10pm and 8am, seven days a week. Dogs and horses are prohibited on the beach from Labour Weekend to the 23rd December between the hours of 10am and 4pm: from 24th December to the 1st Februsry between 10am and 6pm; and between 2nd February and Easter Monday between 10am and 4pm.
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