Mountain to the Sea - Waka Ama and Cultural Mauao Walk | La Vacanza Travel

Mountain to the Sea - Waka Ama and Cultural Mauao Walk

Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Destination: New Zealand, Bay of Plenty, Tauranga
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  • 3 to 4 hours
  • Tauranga
  • E-Voucher
  • Lowest Price
  • Not-Cancellable

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).

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!

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.

Exclusions
    • 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
    • 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
    Departure Point

    Mauao Adventures, Beachside, corner Pacific Ave and, The Mall, Pilot Bay, Mount Maunganui 3116, New Zealand
    Traveler pickup is offered
    Whether you are coming off a ship or meeting us onsite, look for our staff in bright orange uniforms. We can meet at the Port of Tauranga cruise ship gate and escort on foot (5 minute walk), or meet at our beachside location, corner of Pacific Ave and The Mall, Pilot Bay, Mt Maunganui.

    Ports

    • Port of Tauranga Ltd, 2 Salisbury Avenue, Mount Maunganui 3116, New Zealand


    Departure Time

    10:00 AM


    Return Details

    Returns to original departure point

    Voucher info

    You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

    Duration

    3 to 4 hours


    User's Reviews

    Cheryl_S

    24 Jan, 2024

    Loved learning about Māori culture and learning how to paddle the waka. We were provided dry bags to keep our things dry. The walk around the base of Mauao was beautiful and we saw a stingray and Oscar the seal.

    Karen_S

    27 Mar, 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

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