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Travel Guides · New Zealand · Updated 2026 · 9 min read
Mount Maunganui is one of New Zealand’s most loved beach towns. It sits on a narrow spit at the edge of the Bay of Plenty, wrapped in golden sand and clear water. The best things to do in Mount Maunganui have long centred on Mauao, the volcanic cone the town is named for. There is far more to the place than the climb, though, from a world-class surf beach to a lively food scene and the wide waters of the bay.
A note before you plan. In January 2026, major landslips on Mauao tragically claimed several lives. All tracks up and around Mauao are currently closed to the public, and the neighbouring Mount Hot Pools are closed as well. Please respect the closures, follow local signage, and check Bay of Plenty NZ for the latest before you visit. This guide focuses on what remains open.
Even so, there is plenty to fill a few days here. The beach, the surf, the town and the water carry a trip on their own. Here is where to spend your time.
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The Best Things to Do in Mount Maunganui
The best things to do in Mount Maunganui centre on the coast. There is the main surf beach, the calmer harbour side, the town’s food scene, and the water of the bay itself. A little further out lie long beaches and easy day trips. Here is where to begin.
Relax at Main Beach
Main Beach is the heart of the Mount, and one of the best beaches in the country. A long stretch of soft golden sand runs down the ocean side of the spit, with clear, swimmable water. It is patrolled in summer, so swim between the flags.
This is a beach for the whole day. Swim, sunbathe, walk its length, or simply sit and watch the surf. The northern end near the base of Mauao sits within the current closure zone, so keep to the open stretches and follow the signs.
Best for: swimming, sunbathing and long beach walks.
Learn to Surf
The Mount is one of the North Island’s classic surf spots. Main Beach picks up a consistent swell, and the waves suit everyone from first-timers to old hands. It is a genuine part of the town’s identity.
Surf schools run lessons for all levels, with boards and wetsuits provided. A morning lesson is a fine way to start a day here. If you already surf, the beach breaks are easy to reach and rarely flat.
Best for: learning to surf or catching an easy beach break.
Unwind at Pilot Bay
On the harbour side of the spit, Pilot Bay is the calm counterpart to Main Beach. The water is flat and sheltered, which makes it a gentler swim, and the views look across Tauranga Harbour. It is a good spot for families and quieter afternoons.
Roll out a towel on the sand or the grass under the pōhutukawa trees. As Pilot Bay sits at the base of Mauao, check local signage, as parts of the foreshore near the mountain may be affected by the closure. The main beach area is a relaxed place to pass an afternoon.
Best for: calm swimming, families and harbour views.
Eat Your Way Down Maunganui Road
The town itself is compact and easy to wander, centred on Maunganui Road and the streets around it. It has grown into one of the better food scenes on the coast, from good coffee and brunch to seafood and casual dinners. The pace is relaxed and the mood is beachside.
Do not leave without an ice cream from Copenhagen Cones, a local institution making waffle cones on site for decades. Between the cafes, the shops and the sea air, an afternoon here goes easily. It is the social heart of the Mount.
Best for: coffee, seafood, ice cream and a wander.
Get Out on the Water
The Bay of Plenty is made for time on the water. You can hire a kayak or paddleboard and explore the calm harbour, or join a guided trip further out. On a still morning, the water is glassy and quiet.
Wildlife and dolphin-watching tours run from the harbour, and the bay is often busy with life. Fishing charters head out for the day too. Getting on the water is the best way to see the coast from a different angle.
Best for: kayaking, paddleboarding and wildlife tours.
Spend a Day at Papamoa Beach
Just south of the Mount, Papamoa Beach runs for kilometres of open golden sand. It is quieter and less busy than Main Beach, with room to spread out and walk for as long as you like. The surf is good, and the sunrises are worth an early start.
This is the beach for space and calm. Backed by dunes and a growing seaside community, it makes an easy half-day out of the centre. Bring everything you need, as it is more residential than resort.
Best for: long, quiet beach walks and open sand.
Try Blokarting on the Sand
Out towards Papamoa, blokarting is one of the more unusual things to do here. You sit in a small three-wheeled cart with a sail and skim across the flats, powered only by the wind. It is easy to learn and surprisingly fast.
Sessions suit all ages and no experience is needed. On a breezy day it is a lot of fun, and something you will not find in many places. A good option when the surf is flat.
Best for: a windy day and something different.
Skydive Over the Bay of Plenty
For the biggest thrill in the area, a tandem skydive over the bay is hard to beat. You jump strapped to an experienced instructor, with views over the coast, the islands and the wide blue water below. Clear days here are spectacular from the air.
Flights leave from nearby Tauranga, with several jump heights on offer. It is a genuine bucket-list moment for anyone who has thought about it. Book ahead, and be prepared for weather delays.
Best for: a coastal skydive and a serious adrenaline hit.
Take a Day Trip to Tauranga and Beyond
Tauranga sits just across the harbour, a few minutes away, with more restaurants, galleries and the Classic Flyers aviation museum. It makes an easy change of scene from the beach. The waterfront and the weekend market are both worth a look.
Further out, Rotorua and its geothermal parks are about an hour’s drive south. It is a straightforward day trip for geysers, Māori culture and hot pools. You can book a Rotorua day tour here.
Best for: a change of pace and a geothermal day out.
Tips for Visiting Mount Maunganui
Check what is open before you go. With Mauao and the Mount Hot Pools currently closed, it is worth confirming the latest on the Bay of Plenty tourism site. Follow all local signage around the base of the mountain.
Swim between the flags. Main Beach is a surf beach with rips, and lifeguards patrol only in summer. Stay between the flags when the patrol is on, and take care of the currents.
The sun here is strong. The Bay of Plenty is one of the sunniest parts of the country, and burn times are short in summer. Pack a hat, water and reef-safe sunscreen for long days on the sand.
Several activities here lean toward adventure, from surfing to skydiving and time on the water. If yours do, it is worth being covered. World Nomads includes surfing and adventure sports in its travel insurance.
Come midweek if you can. The Mount is a favourite summer escape for locals, so weekends and holidays are busy. Midweek is quieter, and the beach feels more your own.
How to Get to Mount Maunganui
Mount Maunganui sits in the Bay of Plenty, on the coast beside Tauranga. It is about three hours’ drive from Auckland and an hour from Rotorua. The roads in are easy and mostly flat.
Tauranga Airport is just across the harbour, with direct flights from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Hire cars are available there, and you will want one to reach the beaches and day trips. The town centre itself is walkable.
Staying near the beach puts you close to everything the Mount offers. You can compare places to stay in Mount Maunganui here and wake up by the sand.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you still climb Mauao at Mount Maunganui?
Not at present. Following major landslips in January 2026, which sadly cost several lives, all tracks up and around Mauao are closed to the public. The neighbouring Mount Hot Pools are closed too. Check the Bay of Plenty tourism website for the current status before you plan around either.
What are the best things to do in Mount Maunganui right now?
With the mountain closed, the focus is the coast. Main Beach for swimming and surfing, Pilot Bay for a calmer swim, and Maunganui Road for food and coffee are the essentials. Getting out on the water, a day at Papamoa Beach, and a trip to Rotorua round out a good few days.
Is Mount Maunganui worth visiting?
Yes, even with Mauao closed. It remains one of the country’s finest beach towns, with a superb surf beach, a strong food scene and easy access to the wider Bay of Plenty. It suits families, surfers and anyone after a relaxed coastal break.
Is Mount Maunganui good for families?
Very much so. Pilot Bay offers calm, sheltered swimming, Main Beach is patrolled in summer, and the town is compact and easy. Blokarting, ice cream and gentle beach days all suit children well.
How far is Mount Maunganui from Rotorua?
Rotorua is about an hour’s drive south of Mount Maunganui. That makes it an easy day trip for geothermal parks, Māori culture and hot pools. Many visitors combine the two on a Bay of Plenty trip.
Final Thoughts
Mount Maunganui is a beach town at heart, and that heart is still very much open. Even without the climb, the best things to do in Mount Maunganui carry an easy, sun-warmed rhythm. Surf in the morning, food by afternoon, and the water never far away.
Respect the closures around Mauao, follow the local signage, and let the coast set the pace. The Mount rewards slowing down more than rushing about.
Come for the beach, and let the rest follow.
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