Beaches

Directing below Waihinahina, a leisurely 500 metre stroll away, is Browns Bay, a delightful little sandy beach nestled between rocky projections at each end. The peninsula is a separate land mass joined to the mainland by a tombola, a narrow strip of sandy land thrown up by the ocean over centuries. This strip provides a 5 kilometre sweep of sheltered sandy beach on the Hawkes Bay side, and an 8 kilometre sweep on the Gisborne side. Mahanga is a superb beach for swimming and surfing. At the opposite end is Oraka, a picturesque cluster of baches and houses at the mouth of the Maungawhio Lagoon, with an ocean beach and safe water for the whole family in the lagoon. Between these two there is a wonderful 8 kilometres of perfect beach which can be reached only by walking or driving on the beach itself.

The beach on the Hawkes Bay side runs from the main village of Mahia Beach to Opoutama. At the Mahia Beach end it is an amazingly sheltered safe family beach, calm and shallow to way out into the bay. As you move towards Opoutama there are more waves, sometimes ideal for learner surfers.

Starting right below Waihinahina is a truly amazing series of reefs and rocky outcrops to explore, gather tidal treasures, and fish.