Otarawairere Bay is a hidden gem in Whakatāne-Ōhope, truly off the beaten path and only accessible by foot or kayak. This secluded beach is surrounded by beautiful pohutukawa trees, scattered stones, and crushed seashells, with calm, clear waters perfect for a relaxing swim or a peaceful picnic. 

To reach it, park at Ōhope Beach, then walk along the beach to the west end and follow the trail over the hill to Otarawairere Bay. It’s about a 700-meter walk (one way). 

Just make sure to check online for trail updates, when I visited, the trail was unfortunately closed, so I ended up just soaking in the beauty of Ōhope Beach instead.