An insiders guide to Waihī Beach
Waihī Beach is well worth the stop. Less than two hours’ drive from Auckland, and a short coastal drive north of Tauranga, this seaside village is packed with stunning scenery, amazing food and laid-back adventures. Here’s the inside word on how best to spend a visit.
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Spend the day in Waihī Beach
Whether it’s a weekend escape or a relaxed day out at the beach, Waihī Beach offers the perfect balance of coastal charm, natural beauty, and must-visit destinations. From beachfront dining to hidden beaches, here are ten ways to make the most of this seaside paradise.
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Short Walks in the Bay
If you love exploring places on foot (or you just love walking), you'll be glad to know that there are plenty of cool short walks all over the Bay of Plenty. Whether you only want to do a short one-hour walk or something slightly longer, there are plenty of options for everyone.
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Bowentown Beach Holiday Park
It’s a place where kids bounce, run, fish, swim and then fall asleep to the sound of waves. Those iconic Kiwiana memories are what Mike Crosby loves about owning Bowentown Beach Holiday Park.
“My parents had a holiday park for around 30 years and before that, my grandparents owned it, so the industry is kind of in my blood. I met Bec in Australia, we got married, and the opportunity to buy the holiday park came up at the perfect time. It was too good to pass up. I knew it could provide a great lifestyle.”
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Meet Pip & Jo - The Surf Shack Eatery
Due to the weather event of January 21 2026, The Surf Shack is temporarily located at The Deck at the Waihī surf lifesaving club
Open Wednesday to Friday 8:30am - 2pm
Keep up to date with them on their Facebook page here
Pip and Jo were corporate highflyers in the UK, harbouring dreams of creating a sustainably-minded café in Pip’s home country of New Zealand. After travelling all over Aotearoa, they settled on the Bay of Plenty and created the Surf Shack Eatery at Waihī Beach – now famous for some of New Zealand’s best burgers, friendly faces and outdoor dining…
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Freshwater swimming spots
The freshwater swimming spots in the Bay of Plenty are cool, clear and refreshing; perfect for escaping that summer heat and rinsing off the sand between your toes.
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Avocado capital of New Zealand
Let's face it, we all love food. And the Bay of Plenty is famous for producing some of the best fruit and vegetables in the world - and did you know that Katikati is the avocado capital of New Zealand? Read on to find out more..
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The Sauna Project
Words by Jo-Marie Baker, Photos by Ilk Photography and RoadyWhere fire, water and community come together.
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Top 4 surf spots
The Bay of Plenty boasts one of the most user-friendly and accessible surf destinations in New Zealand! Endless soft white sandy beaches means there is literally a break or bank for every surf level. Whether you’re just starting out and looking for a lesson or you’re a seasoned pro, the Bay of Plenty has great waves on offer for you.
Our region’s best swell season is from December to May. We enjoy the benefits of what could be described as a tumultuous cyclone season for the tropics. The big spinning lows which develop near Vanuatu and Fiji over the hot summer…
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Surf Schools in the Bay
There’s no better place to learn the basics of surfing or stand-up paddle boarding; our uncrowded beaches and gentle swells provide the perfect conditions for learner surfers. Book a lesson with one of the many surf schools dotted along the coast. You’ll be “hanging 10” in no time!
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Must-Do Walks
Mauao (Mount Maunganui) access and walking tracks are currently closed due to the weather event of 21 January 2026. For more information refer to Tauranga City Council here
The Bay of Plenty is packed with walking trails to explore that showcase the natural beauty of our area. Whether it’s coast, forest, waterfall or wetlands that you’re after, you’ll find a trail that delivers. Here are 10 great walks to check out over the coming months.
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Nature reserves & sanctuaries
As you travel around Te Moananui ā Toi (the Coastal Bay of Plenty), you'll discover eco-sanctuaries and stunning nature reserves, many of which are kept in pristine condition by passionate local volunteers.
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Little Known Beaches
You probably already know that the Bay of Plenty by its very name has plenty of beaches and 55-kilometres of pristine coastline. You’ve probably also heard that everyone loves The Mount for a surf, swim and SUP.
In a testament to that, Mount Maunganui’s Main Beach has been named New Zealand’s best beach by TripAdvisor for the seventh consecutive time. The popular spot has also been named the fourth-best beach in the South Pacific by the Traveller’s Choice awards.
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