Ocean

The Pacific Ocean almost completely surrounds the Mahia Peninsula, which is a separate landmass joined to the “mainland” by a 5km long isthmus of low sandy land. It’s inevitable that life revolves around the ocean and its moods.

This area’s earliest European visitors were whalers, and whales are still seen around the peninsula. Dolphins, sometimes solitary but often in vast numbers, frequent the waters.

If the ocean is rough on one side of the peninsula, the opposite side is usually flat and calm.

Fishing
Launch your boat at the ramp into the natural boat harbour of Whangawehi, only minutes from Waihinahina. Alternatively, at Mahia Beach the Mahia Boating and Fishing Club has tractors which members use to launch their boats. There are other launching spots too, such as Waikokopu. There are also charter vessels available to take you and your guests fishing around the peninsula.

Species caught around the Mahia Peninsula include marlin, tuna, snapper, gurnard, kingfish, terakihi, hapuka (groper), and kahawai. Crayfish is caught commercially as well as by recreational fishermen, and is something of a staple food for many families.

For those who want to fish from the shore, there are superb spots for safe rock fishing and for surfcasting.

You don’t have to limit yourself to the ocean to find fish, either. Take the children shellfish gathering or floundering in the estuaries. In season, try whitebaiting in the rivers and streams and there is excellent trout fishing in the nearby rivers and lakes.

Surfing
Mahia can provide waves for every surfer from the beginner to the international expert. The peninsula receives swells from the north, east and big southern swells. Because of its shape and orientation, offshore winds and clean waves can usually be found at almost any day of the year.

Better known breaks include Mahanga Beach, Boat Harbour, Last Chance, Tracks, Blacks, Reefs, the Spit, Rolling Stones, and Annihilation. (Learn more).

Diving
The waters surrounding the Mahia Peninsula are a perfect playground for divers. Teach the children to snorkel in the safe sheltered water between reefs, or dive for crayfish around historic Portland Island. Experts can explore wrecks such as the SS Tasmania, which went down with the Rothschild jewels on board or the SS Tongariro in slightly deeper water.