Bay of Plenty Trade Experiences
This is a place where visitors can pull up a beach chair, dig their toes into the sand, and chill.
Located on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, the Coastal Bay of Plenty stretches from the sands of Waihī Beach to the quiet beach community of Otamarakau.
Kayaking across a lake to see a canyon shining with glow worms, hiking through more than 56,000 hectares of native forest, swimming with dolphins, and seeing majestic orca are among the activities on offer here. Visitors can hop aboard an array of watercraft to explore our two marine reserves or drop anchor at one or some of our 24 coastal islands. Spectacular scenery is always included.
This is kiwifruit and avocado country, where you can visit local growers and taste produce straight from the source. The local dining scene reflects this abundance, with ocean-to-plate seafood, award-winning restaurants, and laid-back cafés that creatively showcase the region’s bountiful flavours and relaxed lifestyle.
Visitors can also connect with Māori culture through immersive, locally guided experiences. From fishing and catch-and-cook adventures grounded in Māori tikanga (customs), to traditional hāngī feasts and storytelling walking tours, these encounters offer a deeper understanding of the land, sea, and people of this special region.
We warmly invite people to discover the stories, magic and energy of our special place. Our manuhiri (visitors) leave with lasting memories of our stunning natural landscapes and the warmth of our climate and our people.
See our trade-ready product below.
ADVENTURE HELICOPTERS (TAURANGA)
Discover some of the best views in the Coastal Bay of Plenty on a scenic helicopter flight. Enjoy a short scenic tour along our beautiful coastline or take a longer adventure for stunning views over the Pacific Ocean and the pristine native bush of the Kaimai mountain range. Adventure Helicopters also offers luxury lodge transfers, VIP service and custom private charters.
Tina Prier
adventurehelicopters.co.nz | info@adventurehelicopters.co.nz
+64 27 315 2265
AVOCADO TOURS (KATIKATI)
Step into the wonderful world of avocados with Avocado Tours and experience an informative and enjoyable tour of a working avocado orchard. Experienced guides will take you on a journey through the orchard, providing you with an in-depth understanding of this amazing super food and tantalising your tastebuds with delicious avocado inspired treats.
Tim Rosamond & Michele Ricou
avocadotours.nz | info@avocadotours.nz
+64 27 442 2383
BAY EXPLORER DOLPHIN & WILDLIFE CRUISES (TAURANGA)
Discover the Bay of Plenty’s renowned marine wildlife with Bay Explorer. As well as dolphins, other seasonal wildlife includes amazing species of seabirds, seals, whales, sharks, penguins and sunfish. The Bay Explorer is a comfortable vessel with spacious decks, ample seating and a covered area for shade and shelter. There are plenty of areas to spread out and get some wonderful photos. Trips run daily from 9 am-2 pm in October-April/May, weather dependent.
Emily Dee
bayexplorer.co.nz | info@bayexplorer.co.nz
+64 21 605 968
CLASSIC FLYERS (MOUNT MAUNGANUI)
Visitors will love seeing classic aircraft from a bygone era at this unique aviation museum. There’s an onsite café and gift shop or purchase a ride in one of the fully operational Classic Flyers aircraft – an amazing and unique experience.
Cory Tyler
classicflyersnz.com | coryt@classicflyersnz.com
+64 7 572 4000
DOLPHIN SEAFARIS (TAURANGA)
Encounter wild dolphins in their natural habitat with Dolphin Seafaris. Their specially equipped vessel has safe swim bars to hold on to while in the water. This excursion is suitable for the whole family. Operating seven days from 8.30 am-1 pm in October-April/May, weather dependent.
Cille Fabert
nzdolphin.com | bookings@nzdolphin.com
+64 7 577 0105
FIGHTER JETS
Get your speed and adrenaline fix with Fighters Jets based in Tauranga. Embrace your inner Top Gun as you fly amongst the clouds aboard a high-performance L-39 Albatros captained by experience pilots. This once-in-a-lifetime bucket-list experience can only be enjoyed in the Bay of Plenty as Fighter Jets is the only company in New Zealand to o er commercial flight jet flights.
Craig Mossman
www.fighterjets.nz | craig@fighterjets.nz
+64 21 732 737
KIWIFRUIT COUNTRY (PAENGAROA)
Gather under the vines with Kiwifruit Country for a life changing insight to the production of the most nutrient dense fruit in the world. Visitors will learn about the extraordinary nutritional attributes of kiwi, which are recognised world-wide, whilst enjoying tastings of fresh green and gold kiwi, juices, liqueurs and browse for kiwi inspired gifts and souvenirs. (Tours on demand from 1st Oct – 30 March)
Graeme Crossman
kiwifruitcountrytours.co.nz | graeme@kiwifruitcountrytours.co.nz
+64 21 522 960
MAUAO ADVENTURES (TAURANGA)
Mauao Adventures is connecting visitors with the land, the ocean, the people and the local Māori culture through your choice of experience either by waka ama (outrigger canoe), stand-up paddle board or guided tour on the ancestral mountain, Mauao. Learn about efforts by local tribes to restore the mana (prestige) of the mountain, see remnants left behind by Māori ancestors, and hang with the locals enjoying some of Tauranga’s favourite things to do.
Porina McLeod
mauaoadventures.co.nz | kiaora@mauaoadventures.co.nz
+64 27 451 0579
MUIRS TOURS (MAKETŪ)
Muirs Tours offers a smorgasbord of treats! Run by former NZ Māori All Black, Deon Muir, visitors can choose from a variety of personalised experiences, including fishing and diving trips to a cookout at his place in the tiny seaside village of Maketū.
Deon Muir
muirstours.com | deon@muirstours.com
+64 21339 993
RIVERBUG.NZ (TAURANGA)
A unique, new and fun way to ride whitewater rapids. Enjoy a half day excursion on the Wairoa river on a lightweight, inflatable raft. Participants can choose from either a scenic (easy) bug tour suitable for ages 5+, or a rapid (exciting) bug tour for adventure seekers aged 10+.
Don Allardice
riverbug.nz | info@riverbug.nz
+64 22 344 5002
SKYDIVE TAURANGA (TAURANGA)
It’s the most unique way to truly discover the entire Bay of Plenty! Start your adventure with a 15/20-minute scenic flight with unrivalled views of Mount Maunganui and the Bay’s golden beaches. Higher up, you’ll see Whakaari/White Island, Waihī Beach and the Coromandel peninsula, the Rotorua Lakes, Mount Ruapehu, and even Mount Taranaki.
Gui Calmelet
skydivetauranga.com | info@skydivetauranga.com
+64 21 052 1728
TASTE OF PLENTY - FOOD AND CULINARY TOURS (TAURANGA)
Let us introduce your clients to some of the Bay of Plenty’s favourite local food heroes and producers. Visit and sample innovative food from restaurants, local markets, specialty food shops and hole-in-the-wall production facilities many of which you would never find on your own. Taste of Plenty offers small groups from 6-14 people and bespoke tours for larger groups on request.
Ian Holroyd
tasteofplenty.co.nz | info@tasteofplenty.co.nz
+647 571 2453
THE ELMS | TE PAPA TAURANGA
The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga is one of the Bay of Plenty’s oldest heritage sites. As a place of early contact between Māori and Pākehā (European settlers), this historic site remains at the centre of Tauranga’s history and identity today. The mission house and library can be visited on guided tours all year round.
Andrew Gregg
www.theelms.org.nz | manager@theelms.org.nz
+64 27 622 7660
THE HISTORIC VILLAGE (TAURANGA)
Strolling through Tauranga’s Historic Village is like taking a step back into the early Tauranga with its collection of original and replica historic buildings, cobbled streets and lush gardens. Set over 13.5 acres and open seven days a week with free entry, the Historic Village boasts boutique shops, galleries and foodie spots.
Blair Graham
historicvillage.co.nz | Blair.graham@tauranga.govt.nz
TRAVEL ED CULTURAL TOURS (TAURANGA)
Travel Ed hosts experiences in the Bay of Plenty that bring people together by sharing Māori traditions, customs and stories. Programmes and day trips are located along the beautiful Bay of Plenty coastline and include hāngī (traditional Māori method of cooking food) to ancestral mountain hikes, waka paddling to marae stays, and kapa haka to traditional Māori games.
Les Millard
| les@traveled.co.nz
+64 22 049 4465
V8 TRIKES (TAURANGA)
V8 Trikes tours are designed to capture the Bay of Plenty’s beauty. From a bite-sized 25-minute cruise to a three-hour experience, you’ll take in a slice of the most picturesque scenery in New Zealand. Operating seven days from 9 am-6 pm with 25-minute to 3-hour duration options.
Kathryn & Nigel Busbridge
v8triketours.co.nz | info@v8triketours.co.nz
+64 222 255 647
WAIMARINO GLOWWORM KAYAK TOURS (TAURANGA)
Explore the Bay of Plenty’s scenic waterways with a Waimarino kayak tour. Choose an evening paddle on Lake McLaren to see the illuminating glowworms in the Mangapapa Canyon or a daytime trip on the Wairoa River with native birds and bush. Each location has something unique to offer. Hotel transfers available for an extra cost. Tours run daily with times varying by daylight saving.
