Home to some of the finest stretches of sand, locals and visitors to the Bay of Plenty are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing beaches.

Many of them are ideal for swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking and learning to surf. Best of all, they are easy to find and close to the major centres and townships, meaning an ice cream or scoop of chips is never far away.

Mount Maunganui

The most famous and consequently the busiest beach in the Bay of Plenty, Mount Maunganui's Main Beach is a year-round hotspot and consistently rated one of the best beaches in the world.

Just a 10-minute drive from central Tauranga, The Mount is famous for its sunshine, surf and vibrant beach neighbourhood. For an action-packed but rewarding day, start with a morning climb up Mauao and enjoy the 360-degree views as you wander around the summit.

Head back down for breakfast at one of the many waterfront cafés before crossing the road for a day at the beach. Freshen up with a swim or a surf, or try your hand at paddleboarding. Finish up with a soak in the hot water salt pools at the foot of the maunga or enjoy a few drinks over dinner on the beachfront.

For wheelchair users, there are beach mats laid over the summer months.

The 11km stretch of white sand at Ōhope Beach. Brook Sabin/Stuff.

Ōhope

As you drive over the hill from Whakatāne, you'll be greeted by 11 kilometres of long white sandy beach, with varying levels of surf. At one end of Ōhope Beach you can soak up the laid-back small town beach vibes of West End, or stretch your legs and wander down the expansive stretch of sand to find a private space of your own.

Learn to surf in the gentle breaks at West End, swim at Mahy Reserve where the Whakatāne Surf Life Saving Club is based, or discover the many beach access points along Ocean Road. At the other end of Ōhope, enjoy the views of Ōhiwa Harbour, which is ideal for kayaking and sailboarding activities. And every local knows about the walkway from West End to the stunning hidden shelly beach, Ōtarawairere.

Beach wheelchair hire is available through the Whakatāne Disabilities Resource Centre.

Pāpāmoa Beach. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford/SunLive.

Pāpāmoa

The traditionally quieter sister of Mount Maunganui, Pāpāmoa is fast becoming a destination in its own right with a growing number of shopping and dining options – and not to mention the pristine beach, which still feels uncrowded in comparison to The Mount.

For a rewarding adventure, hike up to the summit of Te Rae-o-Pāpāmoa (Pāpāmoa Hills Regional Park) for incredible views of the region. The area is one of Aotearoa's most significant cultural and archaeological landscapes, so be sure to look out for some of the Māori pā sites that are still visible today.

Beach wheelchairs can be booked through the Pāpāmoa Surf Life Saving Club for free.

Waihī Beach is considered to be one of the safest surf beaches in New Zealand. Brook Sabin/Stuff.

Waihī

Waihī is considered the gateway to the Coromandel and is a popular getaway spot for Aucklanders wanting to escape the Big Smoke.

You'll feel like you've stepped back into the nostalgic days of Kiwi summers of the past, with good old-fashioned beachside fish and chip and ice cream shops, combined with the area's rich gold mining history, still visible today in its old buildings.

The beach is patrolled in summer and is considered to be one of the safest surf beaches in New Zealand.

If you're up for a coastal walk through native bush, head to the secluded and stunning Orokawa Bay, which is only accessible by foot and takes about 45 minutes to walk from Waihī Beach. It's not recommended for swimming, but is an excellent picnic spot and offers good fishing, as well as Anzac Bay, Shelly Bay and the Bowentown Marina Boat Ramp.

Beach matting is rolled out over summer at the north end of the beach by the surf club.

Juliette Sivertsen/Stuff.