Bean Rock Swim

The Bean Rock Swim offers distances of 3400m, 1700m, 800m, and children's events of 100m and 200m, held annually in December at Mission Bay. This event utilizes a harbour loop course that requires precise logistical coordination, as the route crosses an active shipping channel where tidal flows and vessel traffic necessitate dedicated safety support. Wetsuits are optional but recommended, with hire services available through event partners to ensure participants are prepared for the open water conditions.

## The view from the water

As swimmers navigate the harbour, the backdrop is defined by the Auckland Volcanic Field, a series of 53 volcanic centres that frame the city’s coastal horizon. The course provides a unique perspective on a city situated on a narrow isthmus between the Manukau Harbour and the Waitematā Harbour. Approaching the shoreline, participants swim toward land that underwent significant transformation during the late 19th century, when much of the waterfront at the northern end of Queen Street was reclaimed from the sea. Near the landing, the Edwardian Baroque architecture of the Auckland Ferry Building, constructed in 1911, stands as a historic gateway, while the nearby Jean Batten State Building serves as a reminder of the area’s wartime history as the headquarters for the American High Command. For those seeking additional competition, the Freshwater Swim Fest & NZ Open Water Championships provides a different challenge in February. The swim remains a rare opportunity to circle the historic Bean Rock lighthouse, a structure positioned directly within the busy maritime thoroughfare of the harbour.