The stunning beaches sweeping down the coast from Waihi Beach to Whakatane are the key reasons thousands of holidaymakers visit the coastal Bay of Plenty each year.
With stretches of clean, rolling surf, protected dunes and unforgettable coastal beauty, whether you’re a surfer, windsurfer, boogie boarder, diver, sea kayaker, fisher, swimmer or sunbather, the beaches have something for you.
Mount Maunganui has long been a favourite holiday destination for New Zealanders and you won’t find a more popular spot than Main Beach in the summertime.
The Main Beach is a beautiful white sandy beach, with Mauao (Mount Maunganui) and the rocks it has relinquished throughout the years located at its western end. The beach is the base for a host of activities such as beach volleyball and thundercat racing, and you haven’t been to “The Mount” without enjoying the beach on a busy summer day.
Beaches such as Papamoa, Maketu and Waihi Beach offer a quieter beach option.
Main Beach, Mount Maunganui is also home to the region’s busiest surf break. Surfers flock here when there is any sort of wave, especially the main breaks located along Marine Parade and Oceanbeach Road.
A big project in the region has been the construction of the country’s first artificial surf reef alongside Mount Maunganui’s Tay Street, which is already improving the waves. Matakana Island is also renowned for its top surf but access is limited.