Exploring Moturiki Island
Moturiki Island, also known as Leisure Island, is located in the Bay of Plenty in the town of Mount Maunganui and offers a unique walking experience. Although it is overshadowed by the climb up Mount Maunganui (the Mount), Moturiki provides a fascinating blend of history and rugged beauty, and is accessible even at high tide.
A Rich History
Moturiki Island has a storied past. Initially, it was a pā and was largely stripped of trees. From 1911, the island's south side was quarried for 12 years, leaving behind large pits. In 1966, these pits were repurposed by Marineland for dolphin pools for "Leisure Island". Later, from the early 1980s to 1990, Leisure Island utilised the pools for various water activities. Today, you can see the remnants of retaining seawalls, graffiti, and the slow regrowth of forest around the old quarry.
Walking the Island
The walk on Moturiki Island begins with a short stroll to the old quarry and pool remnants. From there, the main path follows the north-facing coast, now mostly covered in young pōhutukawa trees. There are a few spots where you can descend to the rocks below the cliff edge, perfect for fishing. The walk culminates at a scenic rocky point, offering stunning 270-degree views from Maunganui Beach and the Mount to Motuotau Island and the expansive 30 km stretch of beach to the south. This point is particularly popular at sunset.
How to Get There
To reach Moturiki Island, head to Mount Maunganui from State Highway 2 on Maunganui Road. There is plenty of parking near the base of the Mount and along the beach. Walk to Maunganui Beach, and the island is to the southeast.
Nearby, you can enjoy the beach, although it can be very busy, and hike Mount Maunganui on several trails for a more challenging climb and additional scenic views.
