Mountain to the Sea - Waka Ama and Cultural Mauao Walk
Overview
A unique experience to explore our beautiful harbour by waka ama (outrigger) canoe and hear the cultural stories of our mountain, Mauao, guided by Māori people of local tribes.
Learn to paddle a waka ama before joining our local crew on the ocean. Our experienced steerers safely transport you to the mountain, Mauao, while sharing stories of how our ancestors travelled these waters.
You are also guided on a walk around the mountain. Seeking inspiration on how to be a better guardian of our earth? Hear how the local tribes take care of the mountain, how the community keeps it's clean green status, and what values are upheld in the Māori culture.
We are 100% local and 95% tangata whenua (indigenous people of the area).
Learn to paddle a waka ama before joining our local crew on the ocean. Our experienced steerers safely transport you to the mountain, Mauao, while sharing stories of how our ancestors travelled these waters.
You are also guided on a walk around the mountain. Seeking inspiration on how to be a better guardian of our earth? Hear how the local tribes take care of the mountain, how the community keeps it's clean green status, and what values are upheld in the Māori culture.
We are 100% local and 95% tangata whenua (indigenous people of the area).
Inclusions
- Towels available.
- All waka ama equipment.
- Life jackets.
- Snacks - A variety of local snacks to nibble on throughout your experience.
- Bottled water - A variety of beverages to choose from.
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Mount Maunganui 3116, New Zealand
Our most notable feature and New Zealand's most walked track, our ancestral mountain, Mauao. Take in the views of our stunning harbour from the mountain tracks, hear stories of our Māori ancestors, find out what our tribes are doing to replenish the health of the mountain.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Pilot Bay, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga New Zealand
Mt Maunganui has two beaches with completely different characteristics. Pilot Bay is our "family" beach with calm waters tucked in behind the mountain, Mauao. Witness our everyday family life, bring togs and take a swim in our clean waters. This is where the waka ama canoes are stored, so you will see the Hoe Aroha Waka Ama Club.
Duration: 30 minutes
Pass By: Mt Maunganui Main Beach, Marine Parade, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga New Zealand
Rated No1 beach in New Zealand, Mt Maunganui's Main Beach stretches for miles with white sand and rolling surf. From our walk of Mauao, you will see the Main Beach and may decide to grab an ice-cream and kick your shoes off here after your experience with us!
Pass By: Mount Hot Pools, 9 Adams Avenue, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga 3116 New Zealand
Pools filled with salt water heated by undercurrents of thermal activity - this is our local healing waters. Take your pick on temperature, whether you want to boil your woes away in 35+ degrees, or simply have some fun in the large luke-warm pool. Again, another valid reason to bring your swimwear!
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Mount Maunganui 3116, New Zealand
Our most notable feature and New Zealand's most walked track, our ancestral mountain, Mauao. Take in the views of our stunning harbour from the mountain tracks, hear stories of our Māori ancestors, find out what our tribes are doing to replenish the health of the mountain.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Pilot Bay, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga New Zealand
Mt Maunganui has two beaches with completely different characteristics. Pilot Bay is our "family" beach with calm waters tucked in behind the mountain, Mauao. Witness our everyday family life, bring togs and take a swim in our clean waters. This is where the waka ama canoes are stored, so you will see the Hoe Aroha Waka Ama Club.
Duration: 30 minutes
Pass By: Mt Maunganui Main Beach, Marine Parade, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga New Zealand
Rated No1 beach in New Zealand, Mt Maunganui's Main Beach stretches for miles with white sand and rolling surf. From our walk of Mauao, you will see the Main Beach and may decide to grab an ice-cream and kick your shoes off here after your experience with us!
Pass By: Mount Hot Pools, 9 Adams Avenue, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga 3116 New Zealand
Pools filled with salt water heated by undercurrents of thermal activity - this is our local healing waters. Take your pick on temperature, whether you want to boil your woes away in 35+ degrees, or simply have some fun in the large luke-warm pool. Again, another valid reason to bring your swimwear!
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Participants will get wet up to the knees
- Participants will assist in getting the canoes on and off the water
- Recommended to wear form-fitting activewear on the canoes
- Wear appropriate walking shoes and wear layers to regulate body temperature
- 1 hour paddling the canoes and 1 hour walk on the mountain
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- There is an opportunity to swim, so bring swimwear and towel if you wish to swim
- Travelers must bring any daily medication
- Face masks provided for travelers
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
- Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
- 1. If you have cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms, please cancel your booking and receive a refund. 2. Participants and staff can choose to wear face masks and maintain social distancing. 3. Cough/sneeze into your elbow. 4. Keep track of where you’ve been and who you've seen.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 44 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Karen_S
March 2023
The rowing of the outrigger was the best part. Could of been a lot long for the rowing aspect, we found it to be too short of an experience. The guides we had were wonderful
The rowing of the outrigger was the best part. Could of been a lot long for the rowing aspect, we found it to be too short of an experience. The guides we had were wonderful