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Surf patrols
Waihi Surf Lifesaving Club not only provides beach patrols from Labour Weekend - Easter but organises events such as the New Year's Day Beach Sports, fun runs, sand castle competitions and a talent quest/ beauty contest at New Year. The traditional beach sports with fun events for all ages are the longest running sports of their kind in New Zealand.
Surf patrols also operate at the Bowentown (southern) end of the beach over the peak summer holiday period. (photo:Barry Jesney)
Coastguard service
Waihi Beach has an excellent 24-hour, 7- day volunteer Coastguard service. All boaties using the bar are urged to check in on Channel 85 when leaving and returning and to be wary of a NE swell. They should refer to charts and advice is available on Ph 07863 4477.
Heritage
The area is rich in Maori history and for an insight into the early Irish pioneers the Athenree Homestead, a short distance from the beach.
Beach, Bush & Heritage arranges trips to suit all interests and levels of fitness including bush walks, exploration of old gold mining areas and
scenic tours.
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Welcome to Waihi Beach
Waihi Beach offers nine kilometres of sweeping white sand, and one of the safest surf beaches in New Zealand.
 Relax on the beach and enjoy the sunshine or partake in more adventurous activities such as boogie boarding, kayaking or kite boarding.
Its not just the 9kms of beautiful ocean beach, with white sand and generally safe surf, that draws people back each summer. There's the added attraction of Tauranga Harbour, linked to the ocean at the southern end of the beach by the Bowentown entrance.
For booties, fishermen, skiers, swimmers, kayakers and picnickers, the combination of beach and harbour in close proximity provides a fantastic playground.
The Beach' as locals call it, also has a modern shopping centre, excellent restaurants and a whole range of accommodation from four camping grounds to motels, B&Bs and luxury lodges within easy distance.
There's surfing, fishing, mini-golf, walks with amazing views, art and crafts, history, and plenty of summer entertainment including regular bands at the Waihi Beach Hotel.
The towns of Waihi and Katikati, both with their own special attractions, are just 15-20 minutes away by car and the city of Tauranga is less than an hour's drive south.
Anzac Bay, just inside the harbour entrance at the south end of Waihi Beach, is the mostpopular reserve in the Western Bay of Plenty. It has a boat ramp, changing rooms and toilets, plus shady pohutukawas and barbecues.
Watch the outgoing tide through the harbour entrance though.
There are magnificent views from Bowentown Heads (you can walk or drive up) and you can also take the steep track down to Cave Bay, sheltered from the westerly wind and a popular fishing spot.
Athenree has the added attraction of open-air hot pools a small tepid pool (34-35C) for swimmers and a soak pool (39.5C) for adults and children 13 and over.
 More information about
THE COROMANDEL read here
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Kayaking
The northern harbour (including Matakana Island) has secluded beaches to explore and plenty of sea birds.
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Fishing
Fishing is one of the main attractions at Waihi Beach - gathering tuatua in the shallows, surfcasting from the ocean beach and the rocky headlands or boat fishing, either inside the harbour or beyond the Bowentown entrance.
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Boat ramps
There's a good all-tide ramp at Tanners Point. Follow the red markers out to the Bowentown bar, keeping markers on the right. Small craft can be launched off the sand at the north end of Waihi Beach and at Anzac Bay and there's a small tidal ramp at Athenree.
Coastguard Info
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