Discover & Explore Whakatane | Bay of Plenty NZ

Welcome to Whakatāne

Whakatāne is Bay of Plenty’s sunshine capital and cultural hub. Local Māori believe New Zealand was first discovered more than 1,000 years ago by Tiwakawaka, who settled his people in what is now Whakatāne. The town takes pride in its rich Māori history and is a great place to enjoy authentic cultural experiences.

Close to the coast of Whakatāne is Motouhorā (Whale Island) - one of New Zealand’s best kept secrets. Home to a plethora of New Zealand’s rare and endangered plants, birds and reptiles, the island sanctuary is fiercely protected by New Zealand’s Department of Conservation, therefore access to the island is only possible with official tour providers.

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what to do in Whakatāne

From island sanctuaries to coastal walkways and unforgettable Māori cultural experiences - there’s no shortage of things to do in Whakatāne.

Maori Cultural Attractions, Heritage attractions

Know Mataatua Cultural Immersion Experience

An unforgetable encounter with a story,  a house and people. Where captivating indigenous story teller and world class digital technology combine to leave a warm and lasting impression of this powerful New Zealand experience.

Volcanic/Geothermal, Other Wildlife, Boat cruises, Bird watching

Moutohorā: Island Sanctuary

Discover the rare beauty of one of New Zealand’s little-known treasures, Moutohorā (also known as Whale Island), home to some of NZ’s most endangered birds and reptiles.

Adventure Travel

Motu Trails Charitable Trust

The Motu Trails offers superb cycling, mountain biking, trail running, hiking. Easy to advanced trail options, between Opotiki and Gisborne in the Eastland region of NZ. Get info on all services including shuttles, bike hire, tours and accommodation.

Volcanic/Geothermal, Kayaking, Sailing, Other Wildlife

KG Kayaks - Whale Island

Whale Island is 9km off the Whakatane coast and it’s a kayaking paradise. After sailing out to the island, we enjoy two hours of paddling and visit the hot water beach and geothermal area before home baked morning tea is served on board the yacht.

Mountain Biking, Cycling

Ocean and Dunes Guided Bike Tour

Personalised bike tours on the Motu Trails, part of Nga Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Way. Enjoy the magical views and stories associated with this land and share a home baked picnic in a special place. Suitable for ages 12+

Fishing – Salt Water, Diving, Boat cruises

Diveworks Charters - Fishing and Diving

Deep sea Fishing, Sport fishing and Diving the Eastern Bay of Plenty aboard M.V.Diveworks. We cater for the new comer to the expert. All equipment supplied.

Walking & hiking

Hiking packages Multi Day - Wildside Adventures

Explore the wilderness on a guided tramp into the remote native bush. Walks can be personalized to take from 4-8 hours. Sample native plants and meet the glow-worms. Kiwi & morepork may be heard at night. Cost includes food & accommodation.

Diving, Boat cruises, Fishing – Fresh Water, Dolphins, Hunting, Seals, Fishing – Salt Water, Jet boating, Penguins

Ezyfishing Charters Whakatane

Ezyfishing Charters owner/operator Lindsay Hunt has been a fisher & hunter since childhood. Lindsay enjoys nothing better than sharing his passion and qualifications with travelers from all over the world. In a safe and healthy work place.

Kayaking

Kayaking - Ohiwa Beach Holiday Park

Explore the beautiful Ohiwa harbour by Kayak. We have single or double kayaks for hire where you can enjoy a tranquil afternoon kayaking on Ohiwa Harbour.

Whale watching, Dolphins, Seals

Diveworks Charters Whales and Dolphin Watch

Your experience of a lifetime...swim with dolphins and Seals with occasional sightings of whales in their natural environment.

Seals, Diving, Dolphins, Volcanic/Geothermal, Boat cruises

Diveworks Charters - Dolphin and Seal Encounters

During summer, Diveworks Dolphin and Seal Encounters provides the opportunity to swim, view and enjoy dolphins in the Bay of Plenty. Sightings of baby dolphin are incredible! Then we head to Whale Island
and swim with the friendly Kekeno seals.

Penguins, Boat cruises, Whale watching, Bird watching, Walking & hiking, Dolphins

Diveworks Charters - Whale Island Tours

Whale Island aka Moutohora is a wildlife sanctuary 9kms. from Whakatane. Its surrounding waters contain an abundance of Marine wildlife. The Island hosts an abundance of rare and endangered Flora and fauna.

Shopping Centres

The Hub Whakatane

This large shopping centre is home to some of the biggest stores in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. You’ll find over 10 national retail chains here offering furniture, appliances, homeware, fashion, sports equipment, garden products and more.

Seals, Kayaking

KG Kayaks

Kayaking adventures for independent travellers, family groups, businesses and schools. We offer guided tours, hires and tuition at a number of locations around Whakatane in the Bay of Plenty.

Visitor Information Centres

Whakatāne i-SITE Visitor Information Centre

We provide a comprehensive, impartial information and booking service for the Whakatane region as well as New Zealand for accommodation, activities, attractions and travel bookings.

Sailing, Diving, Boat cruises

Whale Island (Moutohora) Snorkelling Sailing Trip

Departing from Whakatane, we offer snorkeling trips around the islands of Moutohoroa and the Rurimas.

Golf, Sports

Ohope International Golf Club

Greg Turner in 2012 commented on Ohope International Golf Club“ The seaside terrain is as dramatic as anything in the British Isles and the views are exceptional. This is links golf to match the very best anywhere!”

Kayaking

KG Kayaks Guided Tours

Guided tours are a great way to get intimate with this beautiful corner of New Zealand. On our guided tours you can expect a focus on safety and comfort, some salty yarns from our local guides, a delicious home baked picnic and small group numbers.

Kayaking

Kayak hire - KG Kayaks

Ideal for beginners and family groups, you can explore the beautiful and sheltered Ohiwa Harbour, with its many islands and wonderful bird life. After a comprehensive safety briefing and instruction you'll be ready to head off on a bespoke adventure.

Walking & Hiking

Waioeka gorge Bush Walk

Walking & Hiking 1/2 day. Cross a historic bridge, gaze at trout in crystal clear waters and wander through regenerating bush and ancient amidst the calls of native birds.

Gardens

Fothergills on Mimiha

An idyllic country garden, richly planted, with touches of formality and a charming arrangement of structure, space and beauty in a relaxed atmosphere.

Visit by arrangement;

Meet Mataatua Express Tour

AN UNFORGETTABLE ENCOUNTER WITH A STORY,  A HOUSE AND A PEOPLE. WHERE CAPTIVATING INDIGENOUS STORY TELLERS AND WORLD CLASS DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY COMBINE TO LEAVE A WARM AND LASTING IMPRESSION OF THIS POWERFUL NEW ZEALAND EXPERIENCE

Kayaking, Diving

Wildside Adventures - East Coast -Scenic Tours- Kayaking

One - two days. Longer trips can be arranged. We will take you to some of the best snorkeling locations on the East Coast. Accommodation, Transportation, Equipment and meals inclusive.

Urban attractions, Volcanic/Geothermal, Scenic flights

White Island Flights

A truly unique experience with one of our professional pilots, as we take you around New Zealand's only active Marine Volcano. Departing from Whakatane, Rotorua or Tauranga, our flights are devoted to customer satisfaction.

Walking & hiking

Wildside Waterfall Walk

Experience New Zealand's Wilderness first hand. Enjoy one of our guided walks through New Zealand's indigenous forest. Visit a breath taking waterfall. Sometimes see trout in the crystal clear water.

Walking & Hiking

Coastal Walk Wildside Adventures

Spectacular walk starting at Whakatane's most elevated point with views all the way out over the town of Whakatane to volcanoes Mt Tarawera and Mt Putuaki. From the clifftop walk we walk down to beautiful Otawaiwere bay, then on to finish at Westend.

Sports, Urban attractions, Miscellaneous madness

Epic Escape

An escape room is a fun team challenge where you have one hour to figure out how to escape from the room. You are immersed in a realistic environment and must solve all the games using the clues provided in order to escape before the time runs out!

Whare Taonga Traditional Māori Art Gallery

Tours, Maori Culture

NATIVConnectioNZ

Don't be fooled by imitations - this is your chance to learn how to prepare, lay and eat an authentic earth cooked Maori hangi.

Oceans & Beaches, Experiences, Group Activities

Salt Spray Surf School

Learning to surf the waves is truly an exhilarating experience and there is no better place to learn then the white sands of Ohope Beach.

Fruit Picking

Blueberry Corner

Experience our 'famous' natural fruit ice-creams along with the freshest berries you have ever eaten straight from the orchard, enjoy berry baking while you sit amongst our fully operating berry orchard.

Oceans & Beaches, Tours, Experiences, Group Activities

Kiwi Jet Boat Tours

Depart from the Matahina Dam to experience, ignibrite cliffs, willow lined farmland, white water rapids, a scenic weeping gorge arriving at the Aniwhenua Falls. This is a real jet boating experience!

Outdoor Lovers, Cycling & Mountain Biking, Experiences, Free Activities, Tours

Motu Trails

Motu River Jet

Fishing – Salt Water

Gambler Charters

White Island Kingfish, Bass, Groper, Bluenose and reef fish with experienced operator, up to 6 anglers or 8 inshore fishing - full day, also very comfortable home-stay accommodation available with stunning views. Good quality rod and tackle for hire.

View all Whakatāne Experiences

where to stay in Whakatāne

There’s accommodation-a-plenty as you drive into Whakatāne, the main road in has loads of motel accommodation to choose from, then once you’re in the city centre, there’s the full range from budget backpackers through to luxurious apartment-style accommodation.

Motels

One88 on Commerce

One88 on Commerce is set in tranquil Whakatane just 5 minutes drive to the famous Ohope Beach. This Award winning Motel offers 22 spacious air-conditioned suites, offering superior accommodation.

Camping & Holiday Parks

Thornton Beach Holiday Park

If your looking for somewhere just a little off the beaten track, but still within 5mins of great country cafes and shopping - book a holiday with us and experience our award winning hospitality.

Boutique & Lodge

Canopy Camping Escapes - Chattan Farm

Chattan Farm is a peaceful haven. 300 hectares of native bush with marked tracks, make this a walkers paradise. Nearly predator-free, bird life thrives and glampers will awake in their luxurious canvas tent, to the sound of a heavenly dawn chorus.

Holiday parks & campgrounds

Ohope Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park

Create your holiday memories with us! We’ve got kiwi, an active volcano and an incredible beach! With accommodation for every budget on the stunning shores of Ohope Beach and superb views of White Island and Whale Island.

Holiday parks & campgrounds

Opotiki Holiday Park

Relax in a rural setting, only 200m from the Opotiki town centre with a range of cafes, restaurants and shops nearby. Come stay with us and enjoy the rural area with swimming pool, kayaking, fishing or some native bush walks.

Bed & breakfast

Fothergills on Mimiha

Super-comfortable accommodation with award-winning hosts, centrally located for day trips to Rotorua, Tauranga, White Island, Ohope Beach & Whakatane, close to the main road, yet hidden away from the world on a sealed, quiet, no-exit road.

Motels

Alton Lodge Motel

Alton Lodge Motel Whakatane New Zealand. Close to the Pacific Coast Highway this mid-town Whakatane accommodation complex allows easy access to the famous Ohope Beach.

Bed & breakfast

Moanarua Beach Cottage

Romantic hideaway between the ocean & harbour. Maori hosts with knowledge of the local history, customs and culture. Fully self-contained cottage with own entrance & patio area. Breakfast provisions in cottage and welcome drinks and nibbles included.

Motels

White Island Rendezvous

A quiet location, yet only minutes walk from Whakatāne’s boutique shopping and restaurants, White Island Rendezvous has rooms to suit any traveller and is the departure point for tours to Moutohorā Island Sanctuary.

Holiday parks & campgrounds

Ohiwa Beach Holiday Park

Ohiwa Beach Holiday Park offers beach front accommodation and camping. Situated on the shores of Ohiwa Harbour. Visit Ohiwa Holiday Park for bush walks, glow worms, kayaking, fishing and safe swimming. A range of accommodation for your next holiday.

Apartments

Surf and Sand Ohope's Beachfront Accommodation

Our one or two bedroom apartments sleep up to eight people, offering luxury and comfort. With private decks and balconies, offering spectacular harbour and ocean views.

Apartments

Quayside Luxury Apartments

Featuring 43 one, two or bedroom apartments, Quayside Luxury Apartments is Whakatane's newest luxury accommodation. Perfectly situated in the heart of the town, Quayside is the place to stay.

Motels

Surfs Reach Motel

With 10 units set on sheltered grounds on the beachfront we are ideally situated to offer you a peaceful and relaxing base from which to explore the beautiful Bay of Plenty.

Motels

Tourist Court Motel Whakatane

Studios sleep up to three people. One-bed units sleep up to four. Two-bedroom unit sleeps up to seven people.

Holiday parks & campgrounds

Tirohanga Beach Motor Camp

Begin your East Coast Experience here. Stunning Beach.Three hectares of sheltered sites backing on the to the sand dunes. 60 power sites & a variety of cabins. Motu Cycle Trail in Dunes, a safe sandy beach and a base for fishing and tramping .

Motels

Ohope Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park Motels

Situated between Ohope Beach and Ohiwa Harbour in an absolute beachfront location, this is the perfect holiday environment for swimming, surfing, wakeboarding, boating, fishing and shellfish collecting or for total relaxation.

Apartments

Ohope Beach Resort

Ohope Beach Resort is a luxurious self contained apartment complex offering magnificent views out over the Pacific Ocean and the volcanic White Island to the North and Ohiwa Harbour and onto the Urewera Ranges to the South. Ohope Beach is NZ's best.

Bed & Breakfast

Ohope Beach Bed & Breakfast

A lovely private accommodation just a short stroll to the most loved beach in New Zealand, also cafes, restaurants, shops close by. The perfect location.

Motels

Cortez Motor Inn

Your on-site hosts, Dave and Karen, welcome you to sunny Whakatane in the beautiful Eastern Bay of Plenty, and offer all travellers and visitors a relaxing stay in affordable Whakatane accommodation.

Bed & Breakfast

Tui Lodge

Tui Lodge has been purpose built for travelers who seek accommodation that offers private facilities in environmentally pristine surroundings. Constructed in 1998 in NZ timbers with guest comfort being paramount Tui Lodge offers total tranquility.

Camping & Holiday Parks

Whakatane Holiday Park

Whakatane Holiday Park is the closest park to town; a 5 minute walk along the lovely river walkway will have you in the town centre.

Bed & Breakfast

B&B at the Lake

B&B At The Lake in Whakatane offers a choice of quality upmarket accommodation to ensure we can meet your individual requirements.

Apartments

Beachpoint Apartments

Superbly appointed 1 and 2 bedroom luxury apartments overlook unbroken 11km of sandy beach with breathtaking seaviews out to the active volcano, White Island. Ohope Beach offers plenty of sunshine and is great for swimming and surfing.

Motels

37 The Landing Motel

One of Whakatane's newest motels with modern, spacious fully equipped units. The perfect place to stay whether you are on business or here for pleasure.

Motels

Ohiwa Beach Holiday Park Motel

Our Beachfront Motel Units offer amazing views of the Pacific Ocean and Ohiwa Beach, with the Ohiwa harbour on our back doorstep. Fully self contained, each unit is spacious and provides a comfortable place to relax and unwind.

Bed & Breakfast

Oceanspray Homestay

Beachside 3 brm Apartment at Ohope Beach, Bay of Plenty, NZ. Seaviews from upstairs decks to East Cape, White Island. Downstairs 3 bedroom self contained apartment. Fishing and swimming Beach. Sample a slice of paradise at our seaside homestay

Bed & breakfast

Aruhe

Aruhe, self-contained luxury accommodation is framed by native "bush". It is secluded and tranquil. Birdsong is the only interruption to your peace and relaxation. From the deck you can see the Pacific Ocean and a walk to the Bay takes 10 minutes.

Bed & Breakfast

Crestwood Bed & Breakfast

Quiet peaceful seclusion with spectacular sea views. Enjoy the ambience of Crestwood Bed and Breakfast with spacious sunny rooms, a friendly atmosphere and home comforts.

Hotels

Whakatane Hotel

The Whakatane Hotel is an iconic building in central Whakatane with easy walks to cafes, restaurants, bars and shopping. We offer accommodation for all budgets with an Irish bar onsite.

Motels

Aquarius Motel

Located at NZ's most loved beach with spacious fully equipped units. Only 15 minutes from Whakatane town center. Aquarius Motel provides affordable, comfortable and friendly accommodation at Ohope beach.

Backpackers

Karibu Backpackers

Karibu Backpackers, Whakatane the perfect eco-friendly place to stay while visiting White Island, diving, swimming with the dolphins or enjoying one of the many beautiful walks around the area.

Bed & breakfast

Canopy Camping Escapes - Kahikatea Farm

Kahikatea Farm is a farm and bush block, just outside of Whakatane in the Bay of Plenty. It's a 3.5 hour drive from Auckland, and approximately one hour from Rotorua and Tauranga.

Motels

Livingston Motel

Visit Livingston Motel to relax and unwind in motel accommodation in the sunny Eastern Bay of Plenty. Livingston Inn is a motel with 15 ground floor units, 11 of these with genuine private individually filled spa pools.

Camping & Holiday Parks, Oceans & Beaches, Hot Pools

Awakeri Hot Springs

Nestled amongst lush park-like grounds, and perfectly situated to take advantage of the Bay of Plenty’s lakes, rivers, mountains and beaches, Awakeri Hot Springs offers a beautifully peaceful holiday park, just 10 minutes drive from Whakatane.

Venues, Camping & Holiday Parks, Backpackers

Murupara Motor Camp

Set in a tranquil two hectares of land at the Gateway to the Te Urewera Rainforest and just a minutes walk to the Rangitaiki River (and 5 minutes to the main street of town)

Venues, Hotels, Motels

Tuscany Villas Whakatane

Tuscany Villas Whakatane offers guests 4.5-star luxury boutique suite or apartment accommodation located in the heart of the CBD in Whakatane.

View all places to stay in Whakatāne

Places to Eat & Drink in Whakatāne

Whether you’re looking for high-end dining, or something more relaxed like takeaways, there’s something to suit every palate.

 Whakatāne

Cafes & Delis, Fruit Picking, Animals & Wildlife

Julians Berry Farm & Cafe

Julians Berry Farm and Cafe offers a unique New Zealand experience, and regarded as one of New Zealands hidden treasures. Something for everyone at this award winning attraction.

Cafes & Delis

White Island Café

Born out of a love of good coffee, today White Island Café is a favourite of both coffee lovers and foodies alike.

View all places to eat & drink in Whakatāne

STORIES & TALES OF WHAKATĀNE

Meet the locals and hear the stories of Whakatāne.

The Best Beaches in the Bay

itineraries & travel plans for Whakatāne

We’ve done the hard work so you don’t have to. Check out some of our suggested itineraries and travel plans for Whakatāne.

EXPLORE THE BAY: 7-DAY ITINERARY

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