Beaches & Water
The Bay of Plenty earned its name from the riches of its coastline. Over 260km of beaches, crystal-clear harbours and some of New Zealand's warmest sea temperatures make this the country's water playground.
← Things To Do🏖 The Best Beaches
Mount Maunganui Main Beach
The Bay of Plenty's most iconic beach stretches for several kilometres of golden sand at the foot of Mauao. Consistently rated among New Zealand's top beaches, it offers patrolled swimming, a pumping surf break, beach volleyball and a vibrant strip of cafés, ice cream shops and surf stores just across the road. Busy in summer — arrive early or head to the quieter north end.
Find local accommodation & activities on Kiwifruit Capital →Waihī Beach
A long, sweeping surf beach on the northern edge of the Bay, Waihī Beach has a relaxed small-town feel with a loyal following of Waikato and Auckland families. The beach runs for 9km with several access points, a surf club, and the beautiful Ōwharoa Falls and Karangahake Gorge just 20 minutes inland. One of the region's most underrated destinations.
Find local listings on Kiwifruit Capital →Pāpāmoa Beach
Stretching east from Mount Maunganui for over 20km, Pāpāmoa is a long, open ocean beach backed by coastal dunes. Popular with locals for its uncrowded stretches, good surf and easy access from Tauranga. The Pāpāmoa Hills rise behind the beach providing a dramatic backdrop and excellent hiking with coastal views.
Find local listings on Kiwifruit Capital →Maketū
A small, historically significant coastal settlement where the Kaituna River meets the sea. Maketū is the landing place of the Arawa waka and holds deep importance for Te Arawa iwi. The estuary is excellent for birdwatching and gentle kayaking, while the beach itself offers a quiet, authentic alternative to the busier resort beaches nearby.
Find local listings on Kiwifruit Capital →Ōmokoroa Beach
On a peninsula jutting into Tauranga Harbour, Ōmokoroa offers calm, sheltered swimming perfect for young children. The harbour beach is safe, warm and rarely crowded. The Ōmokoroa Scenic Reserve walking tracks start nearby, and the area has excellent local cafés and a growing community of artisan food producers.
Find local listings on Kiwifruit Capital →🏄 Water Activities
Surfing & Surf Lessons
Mount Maunganui is the surf hub of the Bay. The main beach break suits beginners, while the breaks at the base of the Mount offer more challenge. Several surf schools operate from the main beach offering lessons for all ages — most include board hire and a 1.5-hour lesson. The warm water and consistent swell make this one of the best places to learn in the country.
Find surf schools on Kiwifruit Capital →Stand-Up Paddleboarding
The sheltered waters of Tauranga Harbour are ideal for stand-up paddleboarding. Several hire operators are based around the harbour foreshore and at Ōmokoroa. Guided sunset tours are particularly popular — paddling through calm harbour water with Mauao lit up on the horizon is genuinely spectacular.
Find paddleboard hire on Kiwifruit Capital →Glowworm Kayak Tours
One of the Bay's most memorable experiences. After dark, guided kayak tours head into sheltered waterways and sea caves where thousands of glowworms light the ceilings. No photography allowed — just silence and bioluminescence. Tours run year-round and book out quickly in summer. Suitable for beginners; guides supply all equipment and instruction.
Find kayak tours on Kiwifruit Capital →Dolphin & Wildlife Watching
Common dolphins regularly visit Tauranga Harbour and the outer Bay, with bottlenose dolphins also spotted around Mayor Island. Several charter operators run dolphin watching trips from Tauranga, with swimming with dolphins permitted under responsible guidelines. The Bay is also home to little blue penguins, gannets and — if you're lucky — orca.
Find wildlife tours on Kiwifruit Capital →Jet Ski & Wakeboarding
The calm inner harbour is popular for jet ski hire and wakeboarding tows. Several operators based at Sulphur Point Marina offer guided jet ski adventures through the harbour islands, as well as wakeboarding and water skiing tuition. A high-energy way to see the harbour from a completely different perspective.
Find water sports operators on Kiwifruit Capital →