Pigeon Bay is much longer than most of the bays on the Banks Peninsula. It is about 9 km from Wakaroa Point to the beach and more like a harbour than a bay. Holmes Bay is a second smaller bay on the west side of the main bay.
Early whalers named the bay for the enormous number of kererū (native wood pigeons) in the forest. The first few European settlers did it particularly tough. Arriving in 1844, they carved out a basic existence hunting native birds, wild pigs (releases dating back to Cook), and rudimentary cattle farming. In 1850, the first four ships arrived in Christchurch. This led to coastal services and a modest expansion of the local community.
As at the other northeast bays on Banks Peninsula, the permanent community did not grow much after this. But it was enough to eliminate the forest and kererū and to erect a memorial after WWI.
From the hamlet, take Wharf Road north to the campground, a wharf, some boat sheds, and a boat park. Of the north coast bays, this is the one favoured for boating, and you can access kayaks.
There is a walkway at the end of Wharf Road, and you can walk most of the way down the east side of the bay. You can also hike as high as 320 metres above the bay.
