Summer Fun in Whitianga
With magnificent sandy beaches right on its doorstep, an enticing combination of crafts and café culture, and the clear waters of Mercury Bay at hand for boating, diving, fishing and cruising, Whitianga is a dream location for a fun summer holiday by the sea.
Around about now, most Kiwis get busy planning their summer holidays. Whitianga, on Coromandel's spectacular eastern coast, is always 
a firm favourite for a seaside getaway, and you certainly won’t be disappointed in the area’s glorious beaches. Overlooking the boating paradise of Mercury Bay, Whitianga accesses some of Coromandel's best beaches and anchorage, and there are plenty of options for getting out on the water.
You can take a dip at Buffalo Beach, just a short stroll from town, go diving, snorkelling and sailing, 
discover the dramatic coastline by kayak, or hop aboard a cruise or glass bottom boat to explore the clear waters of Hahei Marine Reserve. Cave Cruzer Adventures will whisk you around Mercury Bay on a scenic jetboat tour, taking in some of the area's stunning coastal features including Cook's Blowhole, the Hole in the Rock and Cathedral Cove – one of the Bay's most famous beauty spots.
If fishing's your thing, then warm up your casting arm. Over the summer season (December to the end of April), the game fishing is superb and Whitianga’s marina is busy with anglers lured by the promise of big fish. Catches include tuna, black and striped marlin, mako and kingfish. You can pick up a charter at Whitianga Wharf.
Feeling hungry? Whitianga's fashionable cafés and waterfront eateries provide the perfect spot for a lazy brunch or lunch. Explore a few of the 
local galleries and craft outlets then head down to the marina for lunch served with a view.
If you get a hankering to explore beyond the town, catch the ferry across the harbour to Ferry Landing. From here, a short walk leads to an old Maori pa site on the harbour edge, or head up to Shakespeare Lookout at the top of the cliffs for the most breathtaking views over Mercury Bay. If it's beaches you want, then hire a scooter and visit 
some of the magnificent spots nearby. Beautiful Hahei Beach has swimming, walking, diving and fishing or dig your own spa pool at the famous Hot Water Beach.
With all that sightseeing, a spot of relaxation will definitely be on the agenda, so pamper yourself with a massage or a soak in the thermal pools at The Lost Spring. It's the perfect place to slip into holiday mode and stay there, with tranquil tree-fringed pools, bird song, waterfalls and a range of divine luxury body treatments. You'll be guaranteed to leave feeling like a new person, and all primed for your next exciting holiday adventure.
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Images courtesy of Tourism Coromandel and The Lost Spring