Discover the magic of Whakatāne and Ōhope this summer

There is no shortage of sunshine in the district, with Whakatāne named the Sunshine Capital of New Zealand in 2020 and fortunately, there are also crystal-clear waters to cool down in.

From the entrance of Ōhiwa Harbour to West End, Ōhope Beach stretches for 11km of golden sand and beachgoers can spread out, setting up for a day of safe swimming, learning to surf in gentle waves, or paddling a SUP or kayak.

Whakatāne is a fisherman’s dream and from December through late April, you can try your luck catching yellow fin, skipjack, albacore tuna, shark, and marlin on a charter, or try your hand at surfcasting off the beach, or trout fishing the rivers and streams of Te Urewera and Whirinaki.

Natural wonders

If you need to stretch your legs, Whakatāne is rich with walking and bike trails, reserves, and sanctuaries, featuring an abundance of natural wonders.

The Ngā Tapuwae o Toi – Footprints of Toi walking trail incorporates pā sites of major historic significance, superb native forest, spectacular pōhutukawa stands, unsurpassed coastal views, seabird colonies, forest birds, and three major scenic reserves – Kohi Point Scenic Reserve, Ōhope Scenic Reserve and Mokorua Scenic Reserve.

In Whakatāne, kiwi are literally in people’s backyard, and with help from the Whakatāne Kiwi Trust, the Whakatāne Kiwi Project, and the community, kiwi in the area are prospering.

Another hidden gem is the Moutohorā Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can spot dolphins, little blue penguins, curious seals and rare native birds.

Guided walks or kayak tours can be taken to the sanctuary, located 9km from Whakatāne and under the protection of the Department of Conservation.

Shop ‘til you drop

Whakatāne boasts a bustling shopping precinct, numerous speciality stores along tree lined streets, dotted with cafes and restaurants, while Ōhope has a fabulous gallery and boutique shops, and again, plenty of places to eat.

Kai time

Good food is not hard to come by with the area renowned for its produce and extraordinary dining experiences.

Start the day with a caffeine fix at the numerous cafés and end your day in the sun at one of the relaxed but exceptional restaurants or with takeaways or kai from the local markets.

Kaimoana is a specialty here, and you can even shuck an oyster at Tio Ōhiwa Oyster Farm, which has been producing the delicacies since 1968.

Try Fisherman’s Wharf Café, located on the edge of Ōhiwa Harbour, for a relaxed dinner with exceptional food, particularly its steak and kaimoana – all washed down with a beer while taking in a magical sunset.

It is also worth checking out Wharfside, Ōhope’s hottest new spot, a pop-up activity hub which is up and running throughout summer.

Here you can hire SUPs, e-scooters, organise tours and grab a bite at the food trucks onsite, while listening to live music.

No matter what you love to do, there will never be a dull moment in Whakatāne – it is the beating heart of the eastern Bay of Plenty.

Visit whakatane.com to plan your day trip or stay.