Papamoa Beach is a quiet and peaceful suburb located 5 minutes drive from Mount Maunganui (the Mount) in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. While it is quieter and a little less touristy than the Mount, it is still a great place to visit. There is a lot to do here, whether it’s relaxation you’re after or something fast paced and adventurous. Great for strolls, swimming and watersports, Papamoa features beaches that stretch for miles. Anywhere that you stay in this area will give you easy access to these beaches and you can imagine breathtaking sea views dotted with islands. Read on to find out what Papamoa has to offer!
Water sports are the go in Papamoa!
It is common to see seals, penguins and whales at different times of the year along Papamoa beach, so taking a stroll along the beach or finding a spot to relax is a great way to enjoy the local scenery. You needn’t worry about finding a spot, as there is always space to lay out a towel. Swimming is another popular activity at Papamoa.
Kayak and surf gears are also available for hire at the main beach in the Domain, located at the end of Domain Road and by the newly opened Papamoa Beach Resort Holiday Park and Surf Club. This is only available during the summer months from December to February.
In addition, fishing is the most popular activity in Papamoa and you will see many pop-up shops selling all the gears you will need. Most accommodation throughout Papamoa offers guests free hire of kayaks and fishing gears or otherwise at a small cost. Early mornings and evenings tend to be a popular time for fishing. Just be careful you don’t trip on fishing lines when walking down the beach.
Find your style at Papamoa’s excellent shopping complexes
The main centre of Papamoa Beach includes malls such as Papamoa Plaza and Fashion Island. Both of these are worth checking out, especially during the holiday seasons! The Papamoa Plaza has daily events and activities mostly aimed at school children. Fashion Island has many great outlet shops and a huge range of dining choices. Most of the outlet shops offer extra discounts over the weekends, so try and wait till then before you go on a shopping spree! There is a shop for everyone; be it skate and surf, childrens wear, footwear or fashion wear for men and women.
Papamoa Beach has many delicious food options!
Papamoa has a fantastic range of food with cuisines from all over the world! Canton Kitchen offers an excellent buffet style menu with many options all at a very reasonable cost around 10 USD per person. If you get there, make sure you try their seafood salads and Kiwi Pavlova, a delicious New Zealand dessert. Another great place to eat is Mumbai Masala, which offers traditional Indian food. They offer an amazing lunch deal that includes a curry, rice, naan (Indian bread) and drink for about 6 USD, so this is great value for money!
Another great place to check out is the Pacifica Garden Centre & Café! It has an excellent gift shop and a great café with an outdoor area for children, including a mini hobbit house! Or if you really want to enjoy local food, head to Papamoa’s only beachside restaurant ‘Blue Bi You’ located in the Domain Park.
Papamoa has some excellent markets with one held once a month in the Domain Park and another every second Sunday at the end of Dickson Road, in Simpson Reserve opposite the primary school. Definitely check these out, as Papamoa is filled with lots of talented and crafty people.
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Pack your walking shoes!
When you’ve had enough of walking along the beach, there are plenty more walks located within Papamoa that are worth doing.
There is a walk through the Papamoa reserve, which runs along a stream through the suburbs in either direction of the plaza. It is an easy walking track and popular with cyclists and locals.
For something a little more challenging, head up into the Papamoa hills. You will need a car to get here, as it is on the Southern highway towards Te Puke. This is a challenging uphill 1 hour round trip walk through nice forestry so make sure you pack water and wear good walking shoes. It is well worth the views when you get to the top, which give you a bird’s eye view of the Mount, over to Tauranga city and the entire length of Papamoa itself.
There is also another track away from the summit where you can visit historic Maori pa sites, which promises an amazing cultural experience.
Experience the fresh ocean air and more in Papamoa
With miles of coastline at your doorstep in Papamoa, you can enjoy New Zealand scenery away from bustling crowds. There is plenty to do to make your visit a relaxing and enjoyable one. Come visit during the summer for a fun beachside getaway!
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