BOP Beaches

Where to ride your horse on the beaches of BOP, Western Bop and Tauranga City

Tauranga City Beaches

Tauranga City Council allows horses on most beaches in the area, except those banned below

Tauranga Beaches Bylaw 2007

No horseriding on the following beaches:

  • Any beach at Mauao (the mountain)

  • The main Mt Maunganui beach from Moturiki Island (Leisure Island) to, and including, the base of Mauao

  • Any beach at Moturiki Island (Leisure Island)

  • Pilot Bay beach from the base of Mauao to Salisbury Wharf

  • Any beach within 100 metres directly in front of and adjoining a Marae Community Zone unless the horse is at a walking pace.

  • Read the full bylaw here

Waihi Beach

The Reserves and Facilities Bylaw 2012 sets out a number of rules regarding access times and places.

Horses may be ridden north along Waihi Beach from Albacore Ave to the Three Mile Creek access.

  • Please do not ride on the dunes.

  • Ride only on the beach between the high tide and low tide marks.

Waihi Beach copyright Anita Gray

Waihi Beach - Athenree Estuary

  • From the 2nd Thursday of February in each year to the 3rd Wednesday in December

  • Signposted loop trail only

  • Albacore Ave to Pio Road, across to Athenree Estuary and thereafter following the existing walk ways/cycleway to exit via the mown firebreak adjacent to the houses at Island View

Waihi Beach - Three Mile Creek

  • From the 2nd Thursday of February in each year to the 3rd Wednesday in December

  • Access at Albacore Ave

Parking

Good parking for trucks and floats at Broadway Rd, Albacore Ave end

Dotterels on Waihi beach

Waihi beach is a Dotterel breeding area. Council will erect signage to warn of nesting sites - please avoid going anywhere near nests as these are very hard to spot and this is an endangered bird.

To be sure, always ride below the high tide mark.

Papamoa Beach

Park on the grassed verge alongside Papamoa Beach Rd, south of the boat ramp it is unfenced. Use one of the marked access ways across the dunes onto the beach.

Please be considerate during summer crowds and always ride below the high tide mark so the water washes away any manure.

Pahoia Beach, Whakamarama

Access is via Pahoia Domain. Horses may be ridden at low tide (below the high tide mark, please) along Pahoia Beach. Be aware of, and avoid the softer parts of the estuary (generally covered by eel grass) as there is deep mud. see map (pdf) at bottom of page

Tuapiro Point, Katikati

Following the sign posted loop trail horses may be ridden at low tide on the esplanade reserve along the foreshore at Tuapiro from the toilet block in the north around the point and through the small area of pines back onto the beach.

Rogers Road Pukehina Beach

East of Te Puke, approx 4km past the turnoff to Pukehina. Access from Rogers Road, with parking on the reserve.

Horses may be ridden on the north-west trail at low tide on the inter-tidal flats to the point where Pukehina Beach Road meets Pukehina Parade looping back to exit at Rogers Road.

Matahui Crossing to Matakana Island

  • Seek permission from the land owners first, as Matakana Island is private land. View Matakana Island listing

  • Knowledge of the crossing is required to do this safely!