Where Are The Best Beaches In The Bay of Plenty, New Zealand?

The Bay of Plenty – rather obviously, according to the name — has plenty of great beaches from which to choose. From long, surfy stretches to calm harbour spots, this region is one of the best for its coast. Here’s a breakdown of the best beaches in the region; I have grouped them by area so that you can pull this up next to a map when planning your trip.

Best Beaches near Tauranga

Young woman poses in front of the view from the top of Mount Maunganui. — Mount Maunganui Main Beach, as seen from the Mount Maunganui Summit

⛱️ Waihī Beach

Waihī Beach is a national favourite, a very long stretch of idyllic white sand coastline, with great surf and patrolled, for swimmers. Lifeguards patrol in summer, and it is considered a really safe swimming spot. Close toTauranga, but also an easily travelled distance from Auckland city, it’s popular over summer break. The town of Waihī Beach has all amenities, smaller, but distinct, from the nearby, more inland, town of Waihī.

⛱️ Anzac Bay, Bowentown

Anzac Bay is very family friendly, a little less populated than Waihī Beach, a lot calmer in terms of the surf, and a favourite of parents with little ones. There’s lots of grass, shade, no worrying currents or rips, and water flat enough to paddleboard on.

⛱️ Ōmokoroa Beach

It’s calm, it’s a harbourside beach – as opposed to oceanside, Tauranga has both – and its a good one for families. There’s good walking here, there are nearby gardens, and the swimming is safe.

⛱️ Mount Maunganui Main Beach / ‘The Mount‘

Mount Maunganui Main Beach was ranked the ‘Best Beach in New Zealand’ by TripAdvisor in 2019 – for the sixth year in a row! – as well as the fourth best beach in the South Pacific – and was said to be one of the top 25 best beaches in the world! Enough said? It’s an absolute favourite. Holidaymakers flock there over New Years in particular – the place to be, if you want to be where the action is.

A young woman poses in front of the views from the summit of Mount Maunganui. — Mount Maunganui Main Beach, as seen from the summit of the Mount

The Mount is easily climbed and will give you awesome views back across the beach, too. You can get up in three quarters of an hour, and I managed easily in my first trimester with my first pregnancy. When you return to the bottom, why not soak the muscles in the hot pools?

Mount Maunganui Main Beach, as seen from the summit of the Mount. — Mount Maunganui Main Beach

⛱️ Pilot Bay

Pilot Bay is a good spot to watch the cruise ships come into port – as well as being a safe and calm swimming spot, because of its position on the harbour. There’s lots of grass and a boardwalk, fantastic views, and an all-round good time to be had here.

⛱️ Pāpāmoa Beach

Pāpāmoa Beach was given fourth place for the Best Beach in New Zealand in 2019. Kiwis love all 16 kilometres (10 miles) of it. The water is clear, the surf is amazing, it’s patrolled and safe, and lined with all sorts of restaurants and shops.

Best Beaches near Whakatāne

⛱️ Ōhope Beach

Ōhope Beach was named fifth best beach in the country, in the Trip Advisor Awards in 2019 – so you can see that this stretch of Bay of Plenty coastline, with all of these high ranking beaches, is really quite a special place to come and stay! Ōhope Beach also won New Zealand’s Best Beach Overall during 2021, and voted as our Most Loved Beach the same year, awarded by Automobiles Association. Go and see for yourself why its such a top performer!

You’ll have views out to several islands – including White Island, an active volcano that caused disaster and tragedy in 2019. As at 2025, local authorities were still deciding on the most suitable location for a memorial site.

⛱️ Ōtarawairere Bay

Ōtarawairere Bay is the secluded little neighbour of Ōhope Beach, and can only be accessed at low tide – a bit of a secret spot. There’s lots of birdlife, beautiful water, lots of shade and foliage, and not as many people as other local beaches!

Best Beaches near Ōpōtiki

⛱️ Waiotahe Beach

The gateway to the East Cape, Waiotahe Beach is loved for its excellent swimming – just go in high season, when lifeguards patrol the southern end of the beach. Quad biking and fishing are also popular here. From here, too, you’ll be able to see across to White Island (Whakaari), the country’s most active volcano, which, as mentioned above, erupted in 2019 with devastating consequences.

A long expanse of sand and surf at Matatā Beach. — Matatā Beach

Whether you’re chasing surf, a swim, or just a sunny spot to relax, the Bay of Plenty really does deliver on these. With its absolute standout beaches along this stretch of coast, you could have the summer holiday of your dreams at any of these!