Maunganui Beach

Located in the holiday resort town of Mount Maunganui in a suburb of Tauranga, in New Zealand's North Island, Maunganui Beach—also known as Mount Maunganui Beach or Mount Maunganui New Zealand Beach or Mount Maunganui Main Beach—is a long, golden sand beach.  This beach lies at the base of Mount Maunganui, a dormant volcanic cone also known as Mauao that shaped the region millions of years ago along the Bay of Plenty and extends from Mount Maunganui (Mauao) to Papamoa Beach.  It has a stunning backdrop of Mount Mauao, a dormant volcano, coastal vegetation, and many oceanfront buildings, making the beach one of the most popular and the most photographed in New Zealand.  The beach is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices to preserve the natural beauty, flora, and fauna of the region.  In February 2015, Maunganui Beach was awarded as the ‘Best Beach in New Zealand’ and also ranked among the top 25 beaches in the world in various travel polls.

Maunganui Beach has many amenities, including lifeguards, restrooms, showers, changing rooms, picnic areas, a playground with swing sets, beach equipment rental facilities, a life-saving club, heated salt-water pools, a boardwalk, restaurants, cafes, kiosks, volleyball courts, nearby camping grounds, hotels, and vacation homes.

Maunganui Beach is a family-friendly beach that offers many fun activities, including swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, surfing, paddleboarding, boogie boarding, beach volleyball, parasailing, boating (including blokarting – boating in a popular one-design class of small compact land yacht,) fishing, picnicking, camping, and jet skiing.  If you plan to go into the water, the shallow and calm waters make it a perfect spot for swimming.  Surfing is one of the popular sports among the tourists to this beach due to its frequently windy weather. In addition, there is an artificial reef located offshore that offers consistently perfect waves throughout the year. 

Snorkelers and divers may spot an array of marine life near rocky outcrops, making it a fascinating spot for nature enthusiasts.  Anglers may catch a variety of fish, including snapper, kingfish, tarakihi, or kahawai.  Visitors can also book snorkeling excursions, boat tours, or private fishing charters to explore the waters near the beach. 

Hikers can enjoy the nearby hiking trails, including the Mauao Walkways, which offer unique insights into the local biodiversity.  Visitors can also explore the nearby Moturiki (Leisure Island) and Motuotau (Rabbit Island) located just off the coast of Maunganui Beach.  If you enjoy camping, you can book a campsite at Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park that offers an amazing camping experience. 

The beach hosts many interesting events throughout the year, including surfing competitions, triathlons, community events, seasonal festivals, and gourmet night markets.  Additionally, if you want to relax and unwind, Mount Hot Pools are natural saltwater pools positioned at the base of Mount Maunganui.  The beach is known for its clear waters, unique rock formations, and spectacular views, making it a perfect spot to take spectacular Maunganui Beach photos.  Maunganui Beach is one of New Zealand's most visited beaches, attracting both locals and international tourists throughout the year.  Dogs are allowed if they are on a leash, and it is open from sunrise until sunset.

Maunganui Beach offers an access path for people with disabilities.

Getting to Maunganui Beach is easy - the beach has a parking lot located near 4B Marine Parade, Mount Maunganui 3116, New Zealand, which offers easy access to the beach.

According to Maunganui Beach Facts, this beach is often referred to as "The Mount" by locals, and its combination of surf, sand, and the majestic Mount Maunganui makes it a beloved destination for both relaxation and adventure.

There are many attractions near Maunganui Beach.  Mauao, also known as Mount Maunganui, is a historic and iconic extinct volcanic cone that rises 232 meters above sea level.  There are several well-maintained tracks, suitable for different fitness levels, including the Base Track, which is 3.4 kilometers long, a flat and easy loop around the mountain, and the Summit Track, which is a more challenging climb with multiple routes leading to the summit, where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of golden beaches, turquoise waters, and the surrounding landscapes, making it a photographer's paradise.  Moturiki Island, also known as "Leisure Island," is a small, picturesque island located just off the coast of Maunganui Beach, which is connected to the beach via a short walkway.  The island offers scenic walking trails leading to rocky cliffs, a natural blowhole, fascinating geological features, and opportunities to observe marine life, making it a popular spot for nature lovers, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Mount Maunganui.  Salisbury Wharf is an iconic landmark located near Pilot Bay, where visitors can enjoy many fun activities, including fishing, boating, strolling, and capturing scenic photos of Tauranga Harbour and Mount Maunganui.  

Mount Drury Reserve is a small but scenic hilltop reserve that is the perfect place for a relaxed outing.  This dog-friendly park offers shaded walking trails that meander through native vegetation and lead to the summit of Mount Drury, a large playground with swing sets, two picnic areas, benches, restrooms, and a peaceful atmosphere to enjoy amazing views of Maunganui Beach, Moturiki Island, and the surrounding coastline.  If you are looking for another nearby attraction, The Lion & Tusk Museum is a dedicated space preserving and showcasing the history, culture, and legacy of Rhodesia (modern-day Zimbabwe).  It offers a unique collection of artifacts, memorabilia, maps, photographs, documents, and military uniforms, medals, and equipment from the Rhodesian Army, providing a moving perspective on Rhodesia’s cultural and military history.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Maunganui Beach. Dixie Browns serves amazing soups, pizzas, pasta, noodles, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.  Alpino Mount Maunganui serves incredible pizzas, pasta, burratas, risottos, lasagne, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.  Osteria Mount Maunganui is an Italian restaurant that serves delicious salads, pizzas, pastas, risottos, lasagne, meat, seafood, and poultry dishes.  Fox's Hawker House & Garden serves incredible salads, burgers, baos, prime ribs, steaks, seafood, and meat dishes.  If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant nearby, Saltwater Restaurant serves delicious meat, seafood, and poultry dishes.

If you are looking for a Maunganui Beach hotel, there are many great options nearby.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 4-Star Oceanside Resort & Twin Towers is two minutes away by car and offers many amenities, including an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a cafe, and a restaurant.   A more affordable hotel is the 4-Star Capri On Pilot Bay Apartments, which offers a few amenities, including an outdoor pool and a kitchen in all rooms.  Another moderately priced option is the 4-Star The Pacific Apartments, which has several amenities, including a seasonally heated outdoor pool, a hot tub, and a fitness room.  A more reasonably priced option is the 3-Star Mission Belle Motel, which has a few amenities, including a barbecue area and comfortable rooms.  If you are looking for another affordable hotel, Aquarius Motor Inn has an outdoor pool, a hot tub, comfortable rooms, and a kitchen in some rooms.