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Water Activities in the Bay of Islands

Blessed with such a fantastic natural resource at our back door it is hardly surprising that water is the fundamental element of our region’s leisure and economic activities. Swim in the crystal clear harbours, surf the rolling waves, enjoy the thrill of jet skiing in the waves or harbour – the choice is yours. Fish for trophy-winning catches in the rivers or outside the harbour entrance, raft down the rapids or take a charter to neighbouring islands. Whatever your desire the Bay of Plenty’s spectacular sea-nery has it all!

Beaches
The stunning beaches sweeping down the coast from Waihi Beach to Maketu are the key reasons thousands of holidaymakers visit the Bay of Plenty each year. With stretches of clean, rolling surf, protected dunes and unforgettable coastal beauty, whether you’re a surfer, windsurfer, boogie boarder, diver, sea kayaker, swimmer or sunbather, the beaches have something for you.

Swim with the dolphins
These graceful and intelligent creatures are frequent visitors to the Bay of Plenty waters. There are a number of tour operators that will take you dolphin watching with the option of swimming with them for an adventure of a lifetime.

Visit White Island
Take a trip to White Island, New Zealand’s only active marine volcano. Located 50km off the coast of Whakatane, its volcanic structure is said to be over two million years old. With a majority of its structure underwater it attracts a huge amount of attention from divers, vulcanologists and visitors.

Hooked on fishing
The Bay of Plenty is renowned for fishing that ranges from hanging a line languidly off a local wharf to the adrenalin rush of game fishing for ‘big ones’ like fighting fish. For all you fishing junkies – and beginners – the opportunities are endless from small boat operators and day fishing trips through to large boats that will take guests out for days at a time. Tauranga harbour has an all-weather entrance giving access to spots such as Mayor Island, Motiti Island and various reefs. Two large marinas hold over a thousand yachts and launches with many charter boat operators ready to whisk keen game fishers out the harbour entrance to the deep sea fishing and scuba waters enjoyed by many.

Water Activities
The Bay of Plenty has an extraordinary range of water activities from swimming with the dolphins to parasailing, diving, surfing, kite boarding, sailing and sea kayaking. Surfing is one of the most popular water sports in the Bay. The miles of coastline offer a variety of beach breaks to suit all levels of experience from the casual elegance of the Mount long boarders to the powerful short board displays at Whakatane Heads. With the imminent construction of the proposed Mount reef, Mount Maunganui will soon be home to a world-class reef break, which is sure to attract the best surfers from around the country and further afield.

The river wild
The rivers of the Bay of Plenty offer an amazing array of multi-grade whitewater rafting and kayaking experiences so hop aboard a raft and throw yourself down gushing rivers and get the adrenalin pumping!

Enjoy the thrills and spills of an action-packed jet boat ride down the Kaituna River complete with 360 degree spins or for a much gentler pace enjoy cascading waterfalls and swim in crisp, fresh water.

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