• Mount Maunganui - Our most notable feature and New Zealand’s most walked track, our ancestral mountain, Mauao. Take in the views of our stunning harbour from the mountain tracks, hear stories of our Māori ancestors, find out what our tribes are doing to replenish the health of the mountain.
• Pilot Bay - Mt Maunganui has two beaches with completely different characteristics. Pilot Bay is our “family” beach with calm waters tucked in behind the mountain, Mauao. Witness our everyday family life, bring togs and take a swim in our clean waters. This is where the waka ama canoes are stored, so you will see the Hoe Aroha Waka Ama Club.
• Mt Maunganui Main Beach - Rated No1 beach in New Zealand, Mt Maunganui’s Main Beach stretches for miles with white sand and rolling surf. From our walk of Mauao, you will see the Main Beach and may decide to grab an ice-cream and kick your shoes off here after your experience with us!
• Mount Hot Pools - Pools filled with salt water heated by undercurrents of thermal activity - this is our local healing waters. Take your pick on temperature, whether you want to boil your woes away in 35+ degrees, or simply have some fun in the large luke-warm pool. Again, another valid reason to bring your swimwear!

• Towels available.
• Bottled water.
• Snacks.
• All waka ama equipment.
• Life jackets.

A unique experience to explore our beautiful harbour by waka ama (outrigger) canoe and hear the cultural stories of our mountain, Mauao, guided by Māori people of local tribes.

Learn to paddle a waka ama before joining our local crew on the ocean. Our experienced steerers safely transport you to the mountain, Mauao, while sharing stories of how our ancestors travelled these waters.

You are also guided on a walk around the mountain. Seeking inspiration on how to be a better guardian of our earth? Hear how the local tribes take care of the mountain, how the community keeps it’s clean green status, and what values are upheld in the Māori culture.

We are 100% local and 95% tangata whenua (indigenous people of the area).

• Participants will get wet up to the knees
• Participants will assist in getting the canoes on and off the water
• Recommended to wear form-fitting activewear on the canoes
• Wear appropriate walking shoes and wear layers to regulate body temperature
• 1 hour paddling the canoes and 1 hour walk on the mountain
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• There is an opportunity to swim, so bring swimwear and towel if you wish to swim
• Travelers must bring any daily medication

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.