Whitianga

Whitianga is a seaside town in the middle of Mercury Bay on the east side of the Coromandel Peninsula in northern New Zealand. It has a deep water harbour from which cruising boats depart for trips around the scenic Mercury Bay coves and cliffs to Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve and its abundant sea-life. The town is on Buffalo Beach and numerous beautiful beaches are nearby. With a permanent population of 5,000, it's the second biggest town on Coromandel Peninsula (after Thames) and the biggest on the east coast of the Peninsula, and hosts a variety of dining and accommodation options.

Understand
Coromandel Peninsula is on the north-eastern coast of the North Island, due east from Auckland. Whitianga is north of other Peninsula towns Tairua and Pauanui. Mercury Bay is called such because Captain James Cook and his crew came here in November 1769 to make scientific observations of the transit of Mercury across the sun. On the other side of the harbour, which is accessible by a short passenger ferry trip, is Cooks Beach, which is also named after the visit by Captain Cook.

By car
It is 40 km and about 40 minutes drive north of Tairua, and 14 km (16 min) south of Kuaotunu.

By plane
Sun Air has scheduled flights from Ardmore (Auckland), Great Barrier Island and Tauranga to Whitianga Aerodrome.

By scooter
There are scooters for hire at Ferry Landing, just a short way up the hill on the right. You only need a car drivers licence.

Scenic sea cruises
Several operators run similar cruises, with some variations, around the cliffs and coves to Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve and its abundant sea-life. The main cruises last between 2 and 2.5 hours, and some operators also run a 1 to 1.5 hour cruise early or late in the day, which may suit better if you are arriving or leaving Whitianga that day. All leave from Whitianga Wharf and some will also pick up from Ferry Landing if pre-arranged. If you are lucky, you may see dolphins or orca, but they are transient, rather than resident here. In May–Sep you may see fur seals. Some cruises offer snorkeling for 15 minutes to look at the marine life, with the gear provided – just take your togs (swimsuit) and towel.



Go next

 * Hahei and Hot Water Beach – near the Marine Reserve, not far due west as the crow flies, but 35 km (about half an hour) by road – at Hot Water Beach, two hot springs come up through the sand near low tide, and you can hire a spade and dig your own hot pool
 * Kuaotunu – to the north
 * Tairua – very scenic location to the south