Ohope Beach - NZ's best beach!

Ohope Beach, just 6km over the hill from Whakatane is a major draw card for holidaymakers, with its 11 kilometres of golden sand and safe swimming waters on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. West End, long a favourite with surfers, is also one of the access points to Otarawairere Beach, one of the most picturesque beaches in the Bay of Plenty. 

*Ohope Beach was recently voted ‘New Zealand’s Best Beach’ in an online poll initiated by the Green Party which attracted more than 18,000 votes.

*Whakatane District has again been awarded the title of New Zealand’s Sunshine Capital after recording the most sunshine hours for 2012.

Sunshine and beaches make a great holiday destination and Ohope is treasured by generations of New Zealanders as a favourite holiday spot.

Ohope is also a growing residential area, with superb views and a range of attractive properties beckoning new residents from all over New Zealand. Its current population is 2,760.

Port Ohope and Ohiwa Harbour are magical areas with hundreds of seabirds making their summer home on the rich mudflats and sandbanks of the inner harbour.   The harbour also provides a range of recreation opportunities including fishing, water skiing, sailing, kayaking, and windsurfing among the many attractions.

The beautifully secluded Otarawairere bay is only accessible by foot, around 2 hours on the Kohi Point walk from Whakatane or 20 minutes from Westend in Ohope.  It's perfect for swimming, exploring the rock pools or just relaxing with a picnic.  Be prepared for a bit of a climb, but it's well worth the effort.

Come and visit New Zealand’s Sunshine Capital and Best Beach, you’ll love it like the locals do.

Accommodation ranges from superb quality beachfront motels and lodges to family camping grounds.