Visit the Eastern Bay for your Summer Holidays

Are you planning your summer holidays?  You'll discover everything you want in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. You and your family are in for a treat with lots of things to do and see..

10 great reasons to visit the Eastern Bay.....

1. Vibrant. White Island....
2. Spectacular Beaches....
3. NZ's sunniest place....
4. Family Fun
5. Comfortable. A range of accommodation......
6. Abundant. Superb fishing ......
7. Delicious. Great restaurants and cafes ....
8. Adventurous and Natural. Ohiwa Harbour.....
9. Historic.  Visit Opotiki's Shalfoon and Francis.....
10. Creative. Eastern Bay home to many artists

1.  Vibrant

White Island (Whakaari) is one of the world’s few accessible marine volcanoes.  Visit by boat or helicopter, or take a scenic plane flight over the island.  The island is also world known for diving, with abundant fish and marine life.  There’s dive options for all levels of experience. 

2.  Spectacular Beaches

Ohope Beach stretches over 11km, with firm, fine sand and good surf.  With an easy walk over the hill you reach Otarawairere Bay, stunning, secluded beach fringed with pohutukawas.  Or walk the Nga Tapuwae o Toi track between Whakatane and Ohope and take in amazing cliff top vistas all the way to the East Cape.  There's a range of accommodation options from camping to motels, B&B's, baches to let and apartments.

3.  NZ’s sunniest place

Whakatane is one of NZ’s sunniest places, scoring the country’s hottest temperatures on around 50 plus days a year, so you’re almost guaranteed a sunny holiday away from November until March.

4.  Family Fun

The Eastern Bay of Plenty is the adventure playground for families.  Your can experience a wide range of activities from strawberry picking to bush-walking or kayaking on the Harbour.  Or attend one of the many events in Whakatane, Ohope or Opotiki.  Fun Unplugged in Opotiki pulls together a range of activities everyone can enjoy, based on good old-fashioned family fun. There's everything from an action packed rodeo, sandcastle competitions and the famous mega-fun slide.  Over at Ohope there's the well-known Ohope Craft Market and Summer concerts, while in Whakatane there's Summer Arts Festival and Summer Horse Racing. 

5.  Comfortable

We’ve got a range of accommodation options, from luxury, boutique properties to budget backpackers.    Choose from Whakatane, Ohope Beach, Opotiki or the countryside. The Eastern Bay has superb camping facilities, in a range of beach or bush locations in the Whakatane and Ohope or Opotiki.

6.  Abundant

The local Pacific coast offers superb sport fishing and a charter boat can take you on a trip of a lifetime.  Or if fishing off the Wharf with the kids is more your style, there's facilities at Ohope, Whakatane and Opotiki.

7.  Delicious

The Eastern Bay has a range of great restaurants and cafes with superb food, wine and coffee.

8.  Adventurous and Natural

Make the most of the Eastern Bay's stunning natural environment.  Take your pick from walks and tramps, golf, fishing, lazing on the beach or enjoying a range of family activities. 

Ohiwa Harbour is a haven for migrating birds.  The hills above Whakatane are kiwi sancturies and there are many projects to restore and protect local environments.  Whales, dolphins and Orca are often seen off the coast and you can arrange swimming and watching trips to suit your schedule.

9.  Historic

Visit the historic Shalfoon and Francis store in Opotiki which opened in the late 1800's and has been wonderfully preserved as a museum.  Opotiki also has a new museum and a interesting historic town centre.

10.  Creative

The Eastern Bay is home to many artists, musicians and performers.  There’s a vibrant performing arts sector with regular musical, orchestral and choral shows.  A creative trail features over 30 artists, while Ohope Craft market is a regular showcase of local craft artists.  Local tour operators can arrange a schedule to suit the time you have available.