Ōhiwa Harbour
A quiet lagoon behind Ōhope Spit, with mangroves and mudflats teeming with waterbirds; the oyster farm shop by the lagoon is a local specialty.
Ōhiwa Harbour is a shallow bay enclosed between Ōhope Spit and the mainland. Mangroves, salt marshes, and sandbanks attract migratory shorebirds such as bar-tailed godwits, making it a good destination for birdwatching and kayaking. KG Kayaks offers guided mangrove paddles. On the west shore, the Ōhiwa Oyster Farm shop sells fresh oysters and fish and chips, which can be eaten at wooden tables by the water, making it a popular lunch stop for road trippers. At the eastern end of the spit, Ōhope Harbour has a wharf and a campground. Admission is free. It is a 10-minute drive from Ōhope along Harbour Road.
Opening hours
Open all day (oyster shops about 10:00–19:00, seasonal changes)
Nearby sights
- Ōhope Beach
- Ōhope Scenic Reserve
- Ngā Tapuwae o Toi / Kohi Point Walkway
- Wairaka Statue (Lady on the Rock)
- Mataatua Wharenui
- Moutohorā (Whale Island)
- Awakeri Hot Springs
- Te Urewera