Mt Maunganui has a beautiful long surfing beach, an ideal family picnic, boating harbour adjacent to the Mount's large hot pools and walking tracks.
The region has plenty to offer recreationally, such as gliding,hang gliding, sky diving, parasailing, all at the airport 7 minutes away. There is sailing, deep sea fishing, diving, sea kayaking, water skiing, wind surfing from the harbour. Tauranga City, only 15 minutes over the harbour bridge, has great shopping, as well as more restaurants and cafes. Rotorua City is 1 hour by road south west, and features their famous thermal attractions.