11 Top Things To Do At Ohope Beach For Families
Ohope Beach Is one of the most beautiful and laid-back beach towns in New Zealand and is located just 10 minutes from Whakatane. The coast here stretches for 11 km and is lined with beautiful Pohutukawa trees.
There is certainly plenty of things to do at Ohope Beach for those families looking to relax on the beach and catching a few waves. To those families looking for a bit more adventure.
The town is right in the center of Ohope Beach and offers a variety of shops for those keen on shopping and cafes with great coffee. All of this in walking distance from the beach.
We love coming here either for the day or to spend the weekend and relax. With the beach on one side and the ocean on the other.
Below is our list of family activities that we love doing, no doubt there will be something on this list that will make you go ‘Let’s do this one’
Otarawairere Bay
To reach this bay you need to take the 20-minute walking track around Kohi Point from the West End of Ohope beach. Otarawairere Bay is accessible only by foot or kayak. The track winds through native bush
This really is the jewel in the crown for Ohope Beach. It feels private and secluded and is a great place to escape the crowds. It’s best to visit at low tide.
The walking track itself is pretty easy and there is a lookout point with views of the Pacific Ocean as well as the Ohope Beach coastline.
Time to look out at Otarawairere beach
The beach itself is a mix of stone and crushed shells with a few rock pools to walk around or explore.
The waters here are warm and there is plenty of shade under the pohutukawa trees.
We found our own spot and the kids spent hours in and out of the water.
Boys enjoying themselves in the water
You need to bring everything with you, food, drinks, etc and why wouldn’t you, it’s the perfect spot for a picnic, to relax and enjoy quality family time.
Make sure this is one of the things to do at Ohope Beach with your family.
The view along the beach, hardly anyone in sight
Spend the day on Ohope Beach
Voted one of New Zealand’s best beaches it really makes a day trip or holiday there worthwhile. It’s also one of the safest beaches in the country.
With 11kms of white sand beach, you’ll find your own piece of paradise, A chance to spend the day relaxing and watching the world go by.
There are plenty of places to swim with kids as there is a Surf Live Saving club so you know you are swimming in the safest part when you swim between the flags.
We usually opt to spend time at the West End, near the Salt Spray Surf School. The waters can be calm and the swimming is great. Though always make sure you have an eye on your kids.
We love setting up our tent shade and spending the day kicking back, swimming and ride the waves either with our surfboards or with the boogie boards.
Surfing with the team from Salt Spray
This is a place to visit if you are looking to ride the waves and they are located towards the end of the West End beach.
The West End offers gentle waves that make learning to surf really enjoyable.
Just look for this tent and the boys will be here to help you out
The Salt Spray team here offers surf lessons with qualified and friendly instructors. Included in your lesson are a soft top surfboard, wetsuit or rash top and sunscreen just in case you forgot yours.
They have different lesson packages to sort you and the family out.
Lukas had a great time during his surf lesson, he was up surfing again in no time. Ollie, his instructor, was patient and kind and gave him great advice. Lukas finished up with a massive smile on his face.
If you are only looking to rent some equipment then they are happy to sort you out with either a surfboard, wetsuit, or boogie board.
If you are looking for a great experience and an opportunity to create some awesome family memories then let Ollie and the team help you.
Click here to book directly with Salt Spray so you don’t miss out on this thing to do at Ohope Beach.
The Ohope Water Slide (closed)
Talk about old school and awesome. This is how we used to waterslide as a kid, our parents and friends setting up the black plastic sheet on the side of the hill, a bit of dishwashing liquid, the hose flowing with water and away we go!
Hours upon hours of family fun.
Ohope Beach Waterslide, old school and lots of fun
Here in Ohope Beach, you can now relive those memories on the Ohope Water Slide. Set on the side of a hill and open during those hot summer days.
It’s long, twisty and you can build up some serious speeds, especially adults.
It costs $15 an hour for unlimited rides. It gets busy so either go when they open or towards the end of the day.
Check their Facebook page for opening hours as these can change
It’s located between the Ohope Charter club and the Ohope fire station.
Visit Whakatane For The Day
While Ohope Beach is the place to spend most of your time, a day trip over to Whakatane won’t go a miss.
The stunning statue of Waikaka
This used to be the place where you could take tours by ferry out to Whakaari (White Island) however there are no on-island tours since it erupted.
However, you can still take a scenic flight around White Island.
White Island smoking away… great views from Kohi Point
There is plenty to see and do in Whakatane;
– Take a walk in White Pine Bush Reserve
– Kayak or take a boat ride to Moutohora Island
– Bike the Warren Cole Walkway
– Relax at Whakatane Heads and see the statue of Wairaka (The Lady on the Rock)
– Visit Mataatua Wharenui
– Visit Te Koputu a Te Whanga a Toi (This is the Whakatane Library and Exhibition Centre)
– Wandering through Whakatane Gardens
The boys wandering the rocks in Whakatāne harbour
Tauwhare Pa Scenic Reserve
Welcome to one of Bay of Plenty’s oldest pa sites.
Tauwhare entrance, quick photo before heading up
Once you park your car, walk through the beautifully carved waharoa (entrance) and make your way along the trail. surrounded by beautiful pōhutukawa trees and a variety of native plants. The walk is around 300m
When you arrive at the top of the terraces you will see stunning panoramic views of Ohope and Ohiwa Harbour.
The boys learning about the history of the land at Tauwhare
There are a few panels along your walk explaining the history and a wide range of information about Tauwhare Pa.
It was a great way to spend an hour learning about the history of Maori in this area. Both our boys were keen to learn, asked questions and were impressed by the views.
A wonderful view of Ohope Beach from Tauwhare
Location:: Head south along Pacific Coast Highway for around 1.4kms where you will see a signposted carpark.
Check out one of the Playgrounds
Maraetotara Reserve Ohope Beach
The playground has a wide variety of things to keep all kids happy. Swings, slides, skate ramp, flying fox and pirate ship as well as exercise equipment.
Maraetōtara playground, great spot for lunch and the kids to play
Near the playground, there is the Maraetotara Stream which leads to the sea. Kids will spend hours playing here.
There are also BBQ facilities and toilets. If you are travelling by camper van there are overnight parking spots.
Time for lunch Maraetōtara
Mahy Reserve
Located right at the bottom hill as you arrive in Ohope Beach with plenty of parking as long as you get there early on hot summer days.
This reserve is a great spot for picnics, whether you bring your own or you pop across the road to one of the cafes and grab a few treats from there. There are also a few BBQs and picnic tables.
The Ohope Beach Life Saving Club is located here and can make a great place to head for a swim or spend the day at the beach. There are toilets near the Life Saving Club too.
The playground has swings, slides and a few climbing frames. This place also has a basketball court for those keen to shoot a few hoops.
Definitely one of the best things to do at Ohope Beach, kids play and you relax.
Ohope Harbourside Trail
Ohope Harbourside Trail is located along the Ohiwa Harbour and the 6km round trip takes just over an hour to walk.
Time to walk the Harbour trail
We walked this after a big lunch, it was the perfect way to get us moving. It’s a popular trail with bikers, runners and people out walking their dogs.
It’s a pleasant walk with some lovely views of the harbour as well as trying to spot some of the local wildlife.
The boys cooling their feet during our walk on the Harbour trail
Definitely put this on your list of things to do at Ohope Beach if you enjoy relaxing walks or bike rides.
Visit Fisherman’s Wharf Port Ohope
If you are looking for water activities then this is the place to visit.
KG Kayaks is located to the right of the car park, here you can rent a kayak, paddle and life jacket and paddle out in the harbour to your heart’s content.
Paddle boarders starting out their day on the harbour
VMAC is situated to the left of the car park. This place is where you come if you want to hire a paddle board, they have plenty to choose from. Make sure to check out the mega board. This board is huge and can be hired.
If you are new to paddle boarding then VMAC offers lessons at really great prices.
KG Kayaking, just to the right as you drive in
They also rent e-scooters for those looking to explore the area or just go for a cruise.
There is also a cafe inside and lots of seating.
Entrance to VMAC Rides, here you can hire all your equipment and grab a coffee
If you are looking for a way to cool off then why not join the kids who are jumping off the wharf. You can climb up on the side of the wharf to get more height.
On the wharf, you will find showers too.
Nga Tapuwae o Toi walkways
This is the place to visit if you are looking for a range of different walks. Here there are 16km’s of trails to explore. These tracks includes three major scenic reserves in the area.
Known as Nga Tapuwae o Toi meaning ‘the footprints of Toi’. Toi was a great chief and was a descendant of the voyager Tiwakawaka.
One of the entrances to Ohope Reserve, this one is located on your right as you arrive in Ohope Beach
The trails are accessible to everyone regardless of fitness.
There are different places to access the walks with plenty of parking.
Depending on the trail you choose you will pass through exotic and native forests, and wander along the coastline and riverbanks.
The signal here is great and the trails are clearly marked.
Most trails are around 40 minutes to 1 and a half hours. However there are a couple of longer trails.
The longest trail lasts around 7 hours and passes through Ohope Scenic Reserve, Mokoroa Scenic Reserve, Kapu te Rangi Scenic Reserve, Kohi Point, Otarawairrere Bay and onto Ohope Beach. Again you can start this walk at different points.
Click here for more information on the trails and different starting points as well as updated information on the area.
Pick Your Own Berries
Just outside Whakatāne, they are a few berry farms to visit namely Julian’s Berry farm, R&Bees Berries and Bluecorner Berry farm.
Boys our walking the strawberry fields looking for the biggest strawberry
These places offer cafes, PYO berries, playgrounds for kids, ice creams and so much more.
Click here to read our in-depth post on the berry farms around this area.
Final Thoughts
This maybe a small beachside town but there are certainly plenty of things to do at Ohope Beach.
Ohope Beach is one of our favourite spots to visit and we try and get here every summer.
It’s only an hour or least from Papamoa and the Mount
Of late we have been doing day trips either starting or finishing our visit at one of the berry farms.
Nothing beats eating fresh fruit especially if you picked it yourself.
Summertimes can get very busy as it is a popular holiday spot but with a beach this long there is plenty of space for everyone otherwise take the trail over to Otarawairere Bay this is a must.
Meet the family
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Hi, I've been fortunate enough to have travelled for over 25 years. My parents gave me the travel bug when I was 10 years old by taking my sister and I to the USA and Mexico for two months. I've travelled by myself, with mates, with my wife and now as a family of four. My goal is to inspire our families to get out and see the world.
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