Oceans Beaches
The Bay of Plenty & Coromandel have an abundance of beautiful beaches – from secluded rock & tree lined coves to vast white sand beaches bordered by sear cliff faces or rolling sand dunes & tussock. If a ceremony by the sea is what you’re after, you are sure to find just the right spot.
Most of these areas are public spaces (unless they are on private land) & you are freely able to use & enjoy them for your ceremony. Just remember that these are public spaces – whilst most people will be respectful of your gathering, you cannot exclude them from entering the area surrounding your ceremonial space. Pick your spot & / or pick your time, so there is less chance that the area will be busy, or in use for another event.
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Mt Maunganui Main Beach
Very popular with Kiwi & international travellers, Mount Maunganui Beach has a multitude of beach & grass reserve areas ideal for wedding ceremonies. From small rocky coves at the foot of Mount Mauao, to the vast stretch of beach all the way down to Papamoa – there’s a patch with your name on it. The Mount shopping village is delightful, boasting dozens of cafes restaurants & bars. There are many accommodation choices, from just the basics motor camp cabins, to absolute beach-front luxury houses & high-rise apartments – the Mount has it all. Main-beach is tranquil at dawn & provides an ideal spot for a beautiful sunrise ceremony.
Pilot Bay & Mauao Beaches
On the inner harbour side of Mount Maunganui peninsula, is the tranquil, beauty of Pilot Bay. Lined with mature Norfolk Pines, this harbourside beach offers a bit more shelter if the Main Beach side is a bit busy or windy. The full walk around the Mt takes about 45 – 50 minutes. Within just 5 – 10 minutes form the Pilot Bay starting point there is a small stone jetty & several lovely little coves, bays & beaches, each an ideal location for small gatherings.
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Papamoa Beach
There’s a lot of beach between the Mount & Papamoa. Lot’s of space to set up an intimate beachside ceremony. There are beachfront BnBs, batches & luxury houses available for rent all the way along the beach. A beautiful spot for a sunrise walk on the beach before the ceremony.
Maketu Beach
Maketu, a small Eastern Bay village about 30 minutes from Tauranga, with a beautiful estuary & a fabulous, feature packed beach, is also rich in ancestral Maori culture. Just a short stroll down the beach you will find yourself almost entirely alone on a long, sandy beach, heavily strewn with large & small rocks of striking colours, cliff faces & a large sheltered pool at low tide. Hilltop & beach front holiday camp cabin rentals are available here.
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Newdicks Beach
If you’re after raw, untouched coastal beauty, Newdicks Beach on the other side of the Maketu Peninsular is a real treat. Even more secluded, this beautiful beach features white sand, rocks on the beach & dramatic cliffs. Newdicks Beach is only accessible via a private private road, for which there is a $5 per car fee. There are no amenities here, just gorgeously, unspoiled beach, ocean & plenty of fresh sea air. Quirky Woods BnB is just 10 minutes’ walk from Newdicks Beach.
Pukhina Beach
Pukehina is a small, relaxed & unpretentious village just 35 minutes from Tauranga airport. With a long, sweeping, white sand, ocean beach on one side & a sheltered estuary on the other. There are beachfront BnBs, batches & houses available for rent all the way along the beach & estuary. Some are ideal locations for a small ceremony, or pick a spot on the beach or the Dotterel Point estuary reserve.
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Waihi Beach
Waihi Beach is bustling beachside village of boutique shops & eateries, set alongside a 9km stretch of inviting white sand, rolling surf beach. If your ideal honeymoon is catching some waves on one of New Zealand’s safest surf beaches, or walking a beautiful coastal track to hidden gem coves & panoramic vistas, then Waihi Beach could be the ticket. There are loads of BnB, batch or house rental options here.
Bowentown Beach
At one end of this 9-kilometre-long beach Waihi Beach, at the other is Bowentown. There’s not much here but the wild beauty of the ocean beach & shelters tranquillity of ANZAC Bay – oh, & the Bowentown Beach Holiday Park featuring lovely cabins or these super funky Kombi Cabins.
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Whakatane Inlet
Only a few minutes from town, the inlet is picturesque & dramatic – cliff faces, rocks, sheltered pools & crashing waves. Watched over by the Wairaka statue, also known as the Lady of the Rock, the inlet is a unique spot, tranquil during good weather – especially in the morning & evening.
Ohope Beach
From the sheltered west end cove to the wide open expanse of sea, sand & dunes in the east, Ohope has a lot to offer those looking for a beach getaway. There’s lots of beach, so finding the right spot, outside of holiday times, won’t be difficult. There are loads of BnB, batch, house or apartment rental options here.
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Ohiwa Harbour
On the opposite side of the Ohope peninsular is Ohiwa harbour. Tranquil & pretty, there are several places for intimate gatherings & a large reserve at the eastern end if you’re expecting a large crowd in for a post ceremony BBQ or picnic.
Otarawairere Beach
Otarawairere is a hidden jewel of the Whakatane-Ohope area. This secluded beach is accessible only on foot – a 15-minute walk from West End in Ohope during low tide, but the trip is definitely worth the effort. Pohutukawa trees loom over a beach of stone & crushed seashells, while the warm waters of the Pacific lap quietly against the shore, creating an unrivaled, peaceful atmosphere.
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