What to do there

The legendary beaches attract swimmers, surfers, kayakers and kite surfers throughout the year as the weather is mild; you can swim with the dolphins or for the more adventurous you can go big game fishing for marlin. Not far inland there are a wealth of adventures, from sky diving to horse trekking, hiking to golf. Bay of Plenty is a great base for exploring the central North Island with easy access to the Coromandel Peninsula, Mt Maunganui and Rotorua, all of which are major tourist destinations. Sizeable harbours are located at Tauranga, Whakatane and Ohiwa and the bay contains numerous islands where there's enormous scope for adventure seekers.

Across the harbour from Tauranga, the horizon is dominated by the volcanic cone of Mauao. The mountain is steeped in legend and history and provides an excellent hiking challenge. Mount Maunganui is the resort town at the base of the mountain with surfing, adventure and plenty of fun. Popular dive spots in the Bay of Plenty include Tuhua (Mayor Island) and the Astrolabe Reef. Explore shipwrecked vessels near Motiti Island and Karewa Island or try the waters near White Island for a unique diving experience. Whakatane is the launching pad for expeditions to White Island, which  is New Zealand's only active marine volcano and also one of the most accessible active volcanoes in the world. Steam billows from its main crater and frequent spurts of ash  captivate visitors. Another  option is a visit to Te Puke, 'the kiwifruit capital' of New Zealand.

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