Welcome to our eco-paradise
Discover our pristine and natural native bush, sparkling ocean and eco-sanctuaries.
Learn from passionate local guides and volunteers about what makes our environment and wildlife so special, and the efforts that go into keeping them protected for future generations.
ItineraryPage.ss
Highlights
Moutohorā: Island Sanctuary, Te Urewera Treks, Dolphin Seafaris, East Coast Paddler, Waimarino and KG Kayaks.
Moutohorā: Island Sanctuary
Moutohorā (Whale Island) is one of New Zealand’s hidden gems – a pest-free oasis that is home to endangered native birds and reptiles.
Learn about the island from passionate local tour guides, many of whom have helped with the regeneration of Moutohorā.
Many of the operators give back to the organisations that help protect the island. If you choose to visit with Moutohorā: Island Sanctuary tours, you’ll be supporting the continued protection of Moutohorā and its surrounding waters as a portion of your ticket price will go to both the Department of Conservation and to the Whakatāne Coastguard.
Highlights
Visit the eco-sanctuary of Moutohorā (Whale Island).
Moutohorā: Island Sanctuary
Te Urewera Treks
Book a native tree planting experience with Te Urewera Treks and do your part to help regenerate Te Urewera Forest. Choose from Rimu, Totara, Matai or native beech seedlings that in 1,000 years will be fully developed members of the podocarp and beech forests that dominate the Urewera region.
Your part in the restoration of this very special landscape gives you status as Kaitiaki Tautoko, or honorary guardian of the forest.
Highlights
Tāne-mahuta: God of the Forest experience with Te Urewera Treks.
Te Urewera Treks
Dolphin Seafaris
When you head out on the water with Dolphin Seafaris, you’re in for a day of incredible encounters with marine wildlife – and you’re helping to save New Zealand’s cetaceans. For every ticket sold, a portion is donated to Project Jonah, the volunteer-run organisation that responds to marine strandings all over the country.
Highlights
Spot or swim with wild dolphins with the Dolphin Seafaris wildlife guides.
Dolphin Seafaris
Waimarino Kayak Tours
Discover tranquil Lake McLaren on a guided kayak tour with Waimarino. Enjoy a peaceful daytime tour rich with birdlife and local stories, or experience the wonder of a night-time glow-worm kayak tour.
The team at Waimarino are passionate about clean, renewable energy – so passionate they've set up the Waimarino Education Trust to help educate the next generation. Kids participate in growing their own veggies, recycling and learning about solar energy.
KG Kayaks
KG Kayaks offers a variety of tours, allowing you to discover the beautiful Eastern Bay of Plenty from the water. They offer visitors homegrown/homemade produce, recycle waste, remove any plastic they find in the ocean, and ensure a portion of your ticket price is returned to DoC for the upkeep of Moutohorā (Whale Island).
The guides from KG Kayaks have been operating in the Eastern Bay for almost 20 years. They are involved with pest control initiatives and the regeneration of native plants in the Ōhiwa Harbour.
Mauao Adventures
Immerse yourself in Māori culture and stories with the crew from Mauao Adventures.
Take a guided hikoi (walk) around Mauao (Mount Maunganui) and learn about current environmental efforts to keep Mauao and the surrounding ocean waters pristine. Look out for marine life as you enjoy the beauty of this stunning coastal walk, which is also one of the most popular short walks in New Zealand.
At the end of the hikoi, you will receive a brief poroporoaki (farewell) at the beach station, where you will be given a traditional hand-crafted gift followed by the freshest local fish and chips.
The guides love to share their love of the ocean with visitors and also offer Stand-Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) Lessons, Waka Ama (outrigger canoe) lessons and SUP hire.
