Matakana Island

Matakana Island is one of the largest coastal islands located in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty and stretches across 20 kilometers of land. The island is nestled between the thick pine forest on the Pacific Ocean side and the Tauranga Harbour. This island offers a unique experience and you can go fishing, swimming and surfing. Matakana Island is well known for its beach breaks and a powerful north-easterly swell provides for great sand barrels. This long, thin slice of paradise offers white sandy beaches, orchards, farmlands and pine forests.

You can get there by jet ski or private boat cruise from the wharf at Matakana that can also drop you there and pick you up later. The island is inhabited by Maori tribes associated with the Ngai Te Rangi for centuries. This tranquil harbor also has a nesting site on its surf side for various seabirds and you can also spot the endangered New Zealand dotterel. Visiting the inner side of the harbour is also possible on a guided tour that includes a ferry trip and you can experience a unique vantage point of Mount Maunganui and Tauranga.