Ōtarawairere Beach

Advisory: Following significant rainfall in October, a section of the much-loved Ngā Tapuwae o Toi walkway has been out of action after a large slip caused extensive damage to the track. The slip, which occurred on the section between West End, Ōhope to Ōtarawairere Bay, is unstable and plans are now in place to repair the slip. The good news is, there are multiple alternative routes to explore along the walkway and Council have installed signage along the track which includes a map of these alternate courses. To access Ōtarawairere Beach/Bay, you can do so via the track between number 115 & 117 Ōtarawairere Road or the track at the West End of the Bay (subject to tides - see below).   

Ōtarawairere is the hidden jewel of the Whakatāne-Ōhope area. This secluded beach is accessible only on foot or by kayak, but the trip is definitely worth the effort. Pohutukawa trees loom over a beach of stone and crushed seashells, and the warm waters of the Pacific lap quietly against the shore, creating an unrivalled, peaceful atmosphere.

The beach is a 15-minute walk from West End in Ōhope or a 10-minute kayak ride. It's also accessible from Whakatāne via the Ngā Tapuwae o Toi walking track, but be certain to check the tide tables before making the trip, because the west end of Otarawairere is inaccessible during high tide.

The perfect spot for a picnic, a relaxing swim, or just a few hours to lie on the beach and forget about the world for a while.

The map below shows two access tracks to Otarawairere Beach, one from the Otarawairere Village (orange) and the other from the West End, Ōhope Carpark (blue). Otarawairere is also accessible as part of the Ngā Tapuwae o Toi Walkway.