The Bay of Plenty region’s reputation as one of New Zealand’s favourite summer spots has been upheld with a strong showing in nominations for a competition seeking the country’s best beach.
Mount Maunganui, Ōhope, Waihī Beach and Otarawairere Bay are all finalists in the NZ Herald Best Beach 2023 competition, making it into the top 10 across four different categories.
These include Beach Family Beach, Best Camping Beach, Surfing Beach and Best Hidden Gem Beach.
Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park manager Mark Hales said his local beach was “the best in New Zealand” with picturesque views on both sides of the campsite.
Hales, who lived onsite, said the main reason behind the campground’s popularity were the nearby beaches.
He said campers could head over to swim in the harbour at Pilot Bay if it was “too rough” on the ocean side - something that was coming in handy with big swells this summer.
“We are pretty lucky - we have got the ocean on one side and the harbour on the other. It’s only a couple of minutes to either side wherever you are in the park.”
Tasman Holiday Parks Waihī Beach manager Anna Hansen was stoked to hear her local beach had made it into the top 10 for three categories.
Asked what she loved most about it, she said the proximity to “gorgeous” native bush, the colour of the water and its calmness.
Hansen, who enjoyed the beach daily going for an afternoon walk with her partner and young daughter, said it was the “perfect family beach”
“I am Spanish - I have been in NZ for the last two years. Honestly, I would not live anywhere else - I love it here. There are heaps of trees on the north end for shade on hot days as well.”
Waihi Beach offers 10km of stunning beach. Photo / 123RF
She said the surf was “pretty inconsistent” for experienced surfers but there was “always a little wave” for those who were learning.
Ōhope Christian Camp manager Paul Atkinson said his local beach had the “old school feel” many other spots in the region were missing.
“It’s still pretty natural - it’s still got pohutukawas and has character. We have had people that come the past 20 years for that reason.”
But he said the main reason it attracted holidaymakers from across New Zealand was because it was a “very safe beach for kids”.
“Other beaches have more goldy type sand, but I think the number one thing is it’s safe for children to swim in.”
Otarawairere Bay is only accessible by foot or by kayak. Photo / File
Bay of Plenty Best Beach finalists
Mount Maunganui, Bay of Plenty
While Mount Maunganui fills up with holidaymakers over the summer months, there is always more than enough room for everyone to enjoy the water. There is a range of breaks around Main Beach accommodating surfers of all levels, and lifeguards patrol several spots along the coastline. Those at Main Beach can take a quick stroll to enjoy views of the Pacific Ocean from Moturiki Island or take a trek along the base track of Mauao or up the maunga for some of New Zealand’s most famous views.
Categories: Best Family Beach 2023; Best Camping Beach 2023; Best Surfing Beach 2023
Ōhope, Bay of Plenty
There is plenty of space for all activities - including swimming, surfing, walking and fishing - on this 11 kilometre stretch of white sand. Herald readers voted Ōhope Beach New Zealand’s Best Beach in 2021 and named the Ōhope Beach Top 10 Holiday Park the country’s best campground the following year. From its popular surf spot at West End, right down to Port Ōhope at the top of the spit, this north-facing beach, renowned for family-friendly swimming, basks in one of New Zealand’s sunniest towns.
Categories: Best Family Beach 2023; Best Camping Beach 2023; Best Surfing Beach 2023
Waihī Beach, Bay of Plenty
The 10 kilometre white sand beach is known as one of the country’s safest for surfing. The Waihi Surf Life Saving Club, founded in 1936, is located on the northern end of Waihī beach with ongoing patrols during summer months. It’s possible to surf anywhere along the Waihī beach and is only a short walk to the town centre. From the northern end, beachgoers can walk 45 minutes along the coastal headlands to Orokawa Bay.
Categories: Best Family Beach 2023; Best Camping Beach 2023; Best Surfing Beach 2023
Otarawairere Bay, Bay of Plenty
The secluded Pohutukawa-laden bay can only be accessed on foot or by kayak. It’s an ideal spot to go for a picnic, to enjoy a swim in the calm waters or take a nap. Otarawairere Bay - known by some as Shelly Beach - is only a 15-minute walk from West End in Ōhope on a track that forms part of Whakatāne’s popular Ngā Tapuwae o Toi trail. However, local authorities have recently closed the access to the bay from West End due to a large slip.
Categories: Best Hidden Gem Beach
Coromandel Best Beach finalists
Hahei, Coromandel
Located on the southeastern coast of the Coromandel peninsula, Hahei Beach is all too often in the shadow of its Insta-friendly neighbour, Cathedral Cove. Fringed with pōhutukawa the drifts of pink shells, gleaming white sand and calm water are perfect for families because offshore islands form a breakwater allowing safe swimming.
Categories: Best Family Beach 2023; Best Camping Beach 2023
Matarangi, Coromandel
This north-facing stretch of pristine paradise is nicely nestled on its own peninsula at the centre of the Coromandel Peninsula. It offers the best of both worlds; to one side, calm and protected Whangapoua Harbour; to the other, 4km Ocean Beach. If it floats (including kids), paddles or powers across water, you can do it here.
Categories: Best Family Beach 2023
Whangamata, Coromandel
The Bay of Plenty’s closest Coromandel neighbour, Whangamata Beach, is popular and easily accessible for beachlovers of all ages and abilities. Whangamata also offers a bridge for kids to perfect their manu, and there are estuaries at either end for exploring by kayak or stand up paddleboards easily hired from town. It claimed NZ Herald’s Best Beach title in 2018. Can it gain the crown again?
