Welcome to Whakatāne
Whakatāne is the Bay of Plenty’s sunshine capital, Kiwi Capital of the World™ 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 Moutohorā (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.
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.
Motu & Rangitaiki Jet Boat Tours
Experience the Motu and Rangitāiki Jet Boat Tours, a journey into some of the Bay of Plenty's most remote and pristine native landscapes. Along with the thrill of adventure and wilderness jet boating, this tour provides a unique opportunity to witness rarely seen scenery, complemented by engaging commentary about the river's ecological and historical significance.
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.
The Hidden Wonders of Tarawera Falls
Travel Ed's belief is that the best way to understand other cultures happens by experiencing cultures by 'doing it'. Join us to experience the extensive Māori history and culture that the Bay of Plenty coastline offers.
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.
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.
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.
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 New Zealand’s most endangered birds and reptiles.
Paper Plus Whakatane
We are a locally owned one stop shop for books, gifts, magazines, lotto, posting and more. We are passionate about what we do.
Come in, stop by and have a chat if you are passing through our beautiful town!
Ngā Tapuwae O Toi
Whakatāne isite Visitor Information Centre
We provide a comprehensive, impartial information and booking service for the Whakatāne region as well as New Zealand for accommodation, activities, attractions and travel bookings.
HIM DOT HER
him dot her
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.
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.
KG Kayaks - Guided Kayak Tours at Moutohorā / Whale Island
Moutohorā /Whale Island, 9km off the Whakatane coast is a kayaking paradise. We sail to the island by catamaran, 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.
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.
Body + Soul
Indulge, unwind and escape while being pampered head-to-toe in the luxury of our fresh and contemporary environment. conveniently located in a central CBD location on The Strand in Whakatane.
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.
Riverbug – Tarawera River Bay of Plenty
Connect with nature and experience Tarawera River’s swirling currents and fun whitewater from a riverbug perspective. Share our passion for riverbug adventures, and help us to support regenerative tourism, community and healthy lifestyles.
Ōhope Beach Golf Links
Ōhope Beach Golf Links is one of New Zealand’s most scenic golf courses, uniquely situated on a narrow finger of land between the ever-changing Pacific Ocean on one side and the beautiful, unspoilt Ōhiwa Harbour on the other.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Air Chathams - Whakātane & Bay of Plenty
Air Chathams has been bringing New Zealand’s regional communities together by air in New Zealand and the Pacific for over 35 years. We fly the fastest direct route from Auckland to Whakatāne, Whanganui, the Kāpiti Coast and the Chatham Islands.
Motu Trails
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.
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.
Off The Beaten Track - Waterfall Mountain Glamping
Need a nice relaxing break away from all of the pressures of normal life? Waterfall Mountain Glamping offers luxurious accommodation combined with the comforts of a hotel and the adventure of camping.
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.
Ōhope 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 Ōhope Beach and superb views of Whakaari and Moutohora.
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.
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.
Riverside Whakatane Holiday Park
Riverside Holiday Park is the ideal location for exploring beautiful Whakatāne. We have a great range of accommodation options to suit all budgets and group sizes, whether it be solo travellers, couples, families, or larger groups, we have them all.
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.
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.
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 .
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.
37 The Landing Motel
A modern complex with spacious and fully equipped units.
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.
SheldrakeBNB
SheldrakeBNB, self-contained luxury accommodation is framed by native "bush". It is secluded & tranquil. Birdsong is the only interruption to your peace & relaxation. From the deck you can see the Pacific Ocean & a walk to the Bay takes 10 minutes.
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.
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.
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.
Kalinal ltd trading as 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.
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.
Pacific Coast Motor Lodge
Enjoy clean, comfortable, 4-star plus accommodation in a great location. Choose from our variety of room types, all with air conditioning, free wifi and Sky 50+. Whether you are a family on holiday or in the Eastern Bay of Plenty for work.
Awa Motel
A quiet location, yet only minutes walk from Whakatāne’s boutique shopping and restaurants, Awa Motel has rooms to suit any traveller and is the departure point for tours to Moutohorā Island Sanctuary.
Tasman Holiday Parks - Ohiwa Beach
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.
The Com Plex Motel
The Com Plex Motel has 6 heritage suites, and 2 twin share suites situated above a beautifully restored heritage building and 20 corporate suites, constructed in 2020/2021 on the site that was occupied by the original Commercial Hotel.
Off The Beaten Track - Waterfall Mountain Glamping
Luxurious glamping tent set amongst a beautiful background of native bush that combines the comforts of a hotel and the adventure of camping.
Barringtons Motor Lodge
Barringtons Motor Lodge & Motel provides modern, comfortable, spacious accommodation for visitors to Whakatane. Whakatane is located in the sunny Bay of Plenty on the east coast of the North Island.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Beachpoint Resort
Beachpoint Resort located adjacent to 11km Ohope beach.
1 & 2 bedroom options, just a few kilometers drive from central Whakatane. Excellent stop off point when touring the East Cape
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.
Cadera
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Cadera Mexican Bar & Restaurant at Ohope Beach. Cadera is located right next to Ohope Beach, making our venue a hot spot for you to enjoy refreshing beverages, listening to music and also providing fresh and delicious Mexican food.
Mata Brewery & Tasting Room
The Mata Tasting Room is the perfect place to relax with friends while enjoying a selection of award-winning craft beers and delicious kai.
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. With a newly added Mini Golf course there is plenty of fun for the whole family.
Café Awa
Born out of a love of good coffee, today Café Awa is a favourite of both coffee lovers and foodies alike.
Gibbos On The Wharf
Gibbo's is where the locals return week after week for the freshest fish and chips.......If you don't believe us, give us a try today!
STORIES & TALES OF WHAKATĀNE
Meet the locals and hear the stories of Whakatāne.
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.
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