Tauranga Beaches and Swimming Spots

Beaches, waterholes, waterfall pools and day trips to Whangamatā and Ohope are covered, each with toilets and what to know before you swim.

Swimming spots in Tauranga split into three settings: open ocean beaches on the Bay of Plenty coast, sheltered harbour bays and freshwater pools inland. Mount Maunganui Main Beach and Papamoa Beach cover the surf side, Pilot Bay is the family-friendly harbour swim, and Kaiate Falls, McLaren Falls and Wairoa River spots give freshwater options in the Kaimai foothills.

Swimming spots near me: the Tauranga swimming map

24 swimming spots in and around Tauranga. Tap one for the guide, or find one by tapping Swimming spots near me.

Map of 24 swimming spots

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All 24 swimming spots

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24 swimming spots

Harbour BeachesAnzac Bay BowentownSheltered Harbour Swimming and Pā Walks near TaurangaToiletsBBQAnzac Bay at Bowentown: a sheltered harbour beach with a Fair LAWA water quality grade, weekly summer testing, toilets, a boat ramp and pā site walks.

Rivers & Swimming HolesAongatete Walking TracksBush Walks & Swimming HolesNo dogs15 min walkAongatete Walking Tracks near Tauranga range from a 15 min nature trail to a 3 hr loop through Kaimai forest, with a link track to swimming holes.

Rivers & Swimming HolesKaiate FallsTrack, Waterfalls and ReserveDogs on leash1 hr return walkKaiate Falls (Te Rerekawau) near Welcome Bay, Tauranga: the walking track, the series of cascades on the Kaiate Stream and reserve access.

Ocean BeachesMaketū BeachSwimming, Surfing and Water QualityToiletsPlaygroundBBQMaketū Beach swimming guide: patrolled summer weekends, a Good LAWA grade, surf at Maketu, Newdicks and the Kaituna Cut, and Te Arawa landing history.

Rivers & Swimming HolesMcLaren Falls ParkCamping, Walks and ActivitiesNo dogsMcLaren Falls Park is a 190-hectare parkland beside Lake McLaren, just ten minutes by car from Tauranga.

Ocean BeachesMount Maunganui Main BeachSwimming Surfing and WalksToiletsNo dogsMount Maunganui Main Beach: white sand, surf breaks and a boardwalk at the foot of Mauao, patrolled by lifeguards in summer. Swim between the flags.

Rivers & Swimming HolesNgamuwahine TrackKaimai Bush Walk and Trout StreamNo dogs1.5 hr walkNgamuwahine Track in Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park offers a 3.5 km moderate bush walk with river crossings and trout fishing near Tauranga.

Ocean BeachesOhope Beach and WhakatāneBeaches and Māori HeritageThe journey covers roughly 85 kilometres along State Highway 2 and takes about one to one and a quarter hours, passing scenic coastal landscapes.

Ocean BeachesOmanu BeachFamily Swimming and Surf ClubOmanu Beach in Tauranga offers white sand, family swimming, and New Zealand's large junior surf programme at the 1947-founded surf club.

Harbour BeachesŌmokoroa BeachHarbour Swimming, Water Quality and the DomainToiletsPlaygroundBBQŌmokoroa Beach on Tauranga Harbour: gentle family swimming at the domain, an Excellent LAWA grade from weekly summer tests, and a playground nearby.

Ocean BeachesOnemana BeachSwimming, Surf and Water QualityToiletsPlaygroundOnemana Beach on the Coromandel: a patrolled surf beach with an Excellent LAWA grade, a regionally significant surf break and easy facilities.

Harbour BeachesOngare PointHarbour Swimming, Water Quality and History near TaurangaToiletsPlaygroundOngare Point near Katikati: a tidal Tauranga Harbour beach with a Fair LAWA water quality grade, weekly summer testing, a playground and toilets.

Ocean BeachesPāpāmoa BeachLong Sandy Beach for Swimming, Surfing and FishingPāpāmoa Beach is a long white sand beach in Tauranga, popular for swimming, surfing, fishing and relaxed beach days.

Ocean BeachesPāuanui BeachSwimming, Surf and Water QualityNo dogsPāuanui Beach on the Coromandel: a patrolled surf beach with an Excellent LAWA grade, a regionally significant surf break and summer dog rules.

Harbour BeachesPilot Bay BeachCalm Harbour Swimming at Mount MaunganuiPilot Bay Beach (Waikorire) offers sheltered harbour swimming, a boardwalk and boat ramp at the base of Mauao in Tauranga.

Rivers & Swimming HolesPoripori WaterholeFreshwater Swimming on Wairoa RiverPoripori Waterhole (Pori Pori) is a popular freshwater swimming spot with water holes on the Wairoa River in the Lower Kaimai area near Tauranga.

Ocean BeachesPukehina BeachSwimming, Surfing and Water QualityToiletsPlaygroundBBQPukehina Beach swimming guide: Excellent LAWA grade, summer surf lifeguard patrols, a mapped surf break and the sheltered Waihī Estuary behind it.

Rivers & Swimming HolesRaparapahoe FallsSteep Gorge Walk to a Pool near Te Puke3 m fallsDogs on leash1 hr return walkRaparapahoe Falls near Te Puke: a steep 60-minute return track through tawa forest to a 3 m waterfall and large pool. Parking, fitness and dogs.

Harbour BeachesTanners Point BeachSwimming, Water Quality and Harbour Walk near TaurangaToiletsTanners Point Beach on Tauranga Harbour near Katikati: Good LAWA water quality grade, weekly summer testing, toilets, picnic tables and a harbour walk.

Harbour BeachesTilby Point MatuaHarbour Swimming and Water Quality at Fergusson Park, TaurangaToiletsPlaygroundBBQTilby Point at Fergusson Park, Matua: a tidal Tauranga Harbour swimming spot with a Fair LAWA grade, weekly summer testing, toilets and a playground.

Ocean BeachesWaihi BeachBeaches, Bowentown and Coastal RelaxationPatrolled in summerNo dogs45-50 min walkWaihi Beach is a 45 to 50 minute drive from Tauranga, with 9 km of sand, patrolled swimming in summer, surf, and pā sites and coastal walks at Bowentown.

Ocean BeachesWhangamatā BeachSwimming, Surfing and the Famous Bar on a Day Trip from TaurangaWhangamatā Beach on the Coromandel: patrolled swimming, an Excellent LAWA water quality grade, the nationally significant surf bar and beach access.

Rivers & Swimming HolesWhataroa FallsForest Track to a Swimming Hole in ŌtanewainukuToilets15 min walkWhataroa Falls: 15 min on the Rimu Loop, then about 60 min one way through Ōtanewainuku Forest to a swimming hole and picnic spot. Dogs and parking.

Ocean BeachesWhiritoa BeachSwimming, Surfing and the Lagoon on a Day Trip from TaurangaToiletsPlaygroundNo dogsWhiritoa Beach: a steep, powerful surf beach with summer lifeguards, a Good LAWA water quality grade, a lagoon, the blowhole walk and dog rules.