Pilot Bay
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Duration: 2-3 hours
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Top ways to experience Pilot Bay and nearby attractions

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 wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles389 reviews
Excellent
267
Very good
110
Average
9
Poor
2
Terrible
1

davidwilliambarnes
Blackpool, UK1,543 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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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Pilot Bay - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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