Name: Pilot Bay
Address: Mount Maunganui, New Zealand
Rating: 4.5

#4 of 14 things to do in Mount Maunganui

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Shore Excursion: Hobbiton and Lord of the Rings Movie Set Tour
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C$276.94
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Tauranga Shore Excursion: Small-Group Bay of Plenty and Tauranga Tour
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Half Day Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise - Tauranga
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92% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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C$149.17
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Tauranga: Daytime Scenic Lake McLaren Tour
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C$136.39
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Hobbiton Transport & Tauranga Highlights Excursion from Tauranga
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C$106.55
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Hobbiton Movie Set Tour from Tauranga 5.5 to 6 hours CTT-17 - TRG-17
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95% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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C$272.77
per adult
Shore Excursion: Geothermal Rotorua with Maori Cultural Performance at Whakarewarewa
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C$237.08
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Tauranga: Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour
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C$191.79
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4hr Shore Excursion - History and Tasting Tour FREE Kiwifruit Tasting
49
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100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Likely To Sell Out
from
C$80.13
per adult
6hr Hobbiton Movie Set Tour - Departs Tauranga
15
Recommended
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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C$200.32
per adult
6 hour Small-Group Rotorua Naturally Shore Excursion From Tauranga
66
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90% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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C$153.44
per adult
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2-Hour Tauranga & Mount Maunganui City & Scenic Local Tour
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C$66.49
per adult
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The area

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Restaurants

163 within 5 kms

Smart India

411

0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Indian • Vegetarian friendly • Vegan options

Rice Rice Baby

824

0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Asian • Vietnamese • Healthy

EasyGo Thai

300

0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Asian • Thai • Vegetarian friendly

Alpino Mount Maunganui

250

0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Mediterranean

Eighty Eight Cafe

708

0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Cafe • New Zealand

Latitude 37

688

0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Steakhouse • Seafood • European

Turkish Delight Cafe

215

0.4 km$ • Quick Bites • Mediterranean • Turkish

The Barrio Brothers Mount Maunagnui

415

0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Mexican • Vegetarian friendly • Vegan options

Mamma Mia Italian Restaurant

223

0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • European

Osteria Mount Maunganui

497

0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • European

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Attractions

32 within 10 kms

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0.1 kmScenic Railroads

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1 kmHiking Trails

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1 kmMonuments & Statues

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The Elms

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5

389 reviews

Excellent

267

Very good

110

Average

9

Poor

2

Terrible

1

davidwilliambarnes

Blackpool, UK1,543 contributions

Pilot Picnic

Jan 2020 • Couples

Came here after bringing a few goodies for our granddaughter to have a picnic. We put out a blanket and took in the lovely view. The sea is very serene and ideal for little ones to paddle. It is always very busy and seems to attract the elderly who like the boardwalk for cycling and walking - great to see. A busy, scenic place to visit next to the mount.

Written January 21, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BillPNo1

Friendswood, TX669 contributions

Pilot Bay at Tauranga

Feb 2020

Our cruise ship berthed in the passenger terminal in Pilot Bay in Tauranga, New Zealand and we were able to observe the bay from the ship and from the shore. It was lovely, peaceful, and pleasant. Walking along the beach along the shore of Pilot Bay on the way to Mt. Maunganui, I felt the same feelings even though the beach was fairly busy with families enjoying the pleasant seashore. Numerous shops and restaurants line the other side of the street from the beach and the town is just beyond the first street. All within easy walking distance. A great panoramic view of Pilot Bay is afforded from the Mt. Maunganui Summit Track (and from the summit itself). A nice place to visit.

Written April 13, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Pixiehat

New Zealand457 contributions

/stayed at Pilot Bay, Westhaven motel right opposite Pilot Bay.

Dec 2019

I like Pilot Bay better than Main Beach because I'm a swimmer and I like calm water. Picnic-ers, swimmers, paddle-boarders, kayaks, cruise liners, tankers - the Pilot By view isalways busy. Go around the corner to Main Beach if you want to surf and be part of the action.

Written January 3, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tripp’s Travels

Wellington, New Zealand78 contributions

Bay side

May 2020

It’s amazing to have a bay so calm and beautiful just 5 mins walk from the roaring ocean on the other side of the peninsula.
Pilot bay is long enough that you can feel like you’re on your own even though there are lots of people around.
Not far from good ice cream and fish and chip shops.
Best spot for sunsets!

Written May 3, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kori A

Mount Maunganui, New Zealand47 contributions

Pilot Bay, Mount Maunganui, NZ

Mar 2024 • Family

Stunning on a sunny day! Watch the rowers, families swimming and teenagers jumping off the pier. Stroll on the sidewalk, or watch the passengers coming and going from the cruise ships. Glorious views, and very calm and peaceful.

Written March 7, 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Murray A

Papamoa, New Zealand209 contributions

Stunning spot

Dec 2019

Beautiful views of a very picturesque area. The sea temperature is usually just right for a swim. If there is a cruise ship in port then expect it to be quite busy. You must take the walk around the Mount or up to the top and don't leave the camera behind!

Written January 19, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

2CAtravelers

Brattleboro, VT835 contributions

Beautiful Bay

Mar 2023

Our cruise ship stopped here so it was easy to take a nice stroll along the shoreline and even go into the small town of Maunganui. It's a lovely setting and it's particularly noteworthy because of the view out to Mount Maunganui. We also strolled through the town as well as along the ocean side of Maunganui. It's was a nice couple of hours off the ship.

Written June 7, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lors M

2 contributions

Whānau time at Pilot Bay

Dec 2022

Enjoyed a kai of fish n chips one evening that we got nearby and ate it at Pilot Bay which was very serene. The next day we returned with two single waka ama and had a great time! Good safe beach for whānau to swim.

Written April 7, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

davidwilliambarnes

Blackpool, UK1,543 contributions

Attractive

Jan 2023 • Couples

I like this bay as it attracts lots of different ages. The water encourages the young and not so young as it doesn’t have any big waves. It is very clean with plenty of benches and grassy areas if you don’t want to sit on the sand. The boardwalk is a good idea as well as it being a dog free zone. The Queen Elizabeth cruise ship was harboured which made the area even more scenic.

Written January 15, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Di Latter

Papamoa, New Zealand283 contributions

Best bay around!

Feb 2023 • Couples

Pilot bay is most probably the most interesting bays in tauranga. Nice to swim in, safe for children on the beach, lovely walk way the whole length , and an ice cream palour at either end.
Just love visiting pilot bay.

Written February 9, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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