Parua Bay: Coastal Walk, Skatepark and Harbour

Parua Bay brings together several ways to spend your stay: the skatepark is next to the Community Centre, a gentle coastal walk crosses a recreation reserve on Motukiore Island, and there are boat ramps in Parua Bay. Shops and cafés in the village help you find your way around. You can focus your plans on activities on land or on the water; local history and the Sunday market offer more ways to fill your days.

Skatepark next to the Community Centre

The skatepark was completed in November 2025 in the reserve area next to Parua Bay Community Centre. Its various features are designed for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced riders. Public toilets are located at the entrance. A gravel path connects the skatepark to the car park at the nearby Community Centre. If the toilets are important for your accessibility planning, check their facilities in advance.

Explore Motukiore Island on foot

Motukiore Island is in Parua Bay and is a five-hectare recreation reserve. The Motukiore Island Walk is a pleasant, easy coastal walk and makes a great summer family outing. It starts on Whangārei Heads Road, just past Pines Golf Course; a car park is 200 metres beyond the start of the walk. These are two separate landmarks to help with planning: the start of the walk and the car park beyond it.

Boat access and Learn-to-Sail

Parua Bay has boat-launching ramps, including facilities for trailer boats. They provide access to the inner harbour, the harbour entrance, Bream Bay and the coast to the north.

Sail Northland Trust offers Learn-to-Sail programmes from Parua Bay; juniors are welcome at the Sunday sessions. As programme arrangements may change, check the current schedule before making plans. Boat access and the sailing programme are different ways to bring the water into your stay.

Market and village history

A schedule published in December 2025 lists the Parua Bay Sunday Market as running every Sunday from 9 am to 1 pm. Check the current schedule before planning a visit at a specific time. The village also has shops and cafés. One distinctive part of its history is the Parua Bay Tavern: it was originally a dairy company and was converted into an upscale hotel in the 1940s. The Parua Bay Tavern serves refreshments and food by the water; if you are planning a visit for its dining, confirm in advance that food service is available.

Balance land-based activities and plans on the water

When looking for accommodation in Parua Bay, start by asking yourself what kind of days you have in mind. For the island walk and skatepark, specific directions to the starting point and car park help you find your way; the market and sailing programme are associated with Sundays, so check their current times or arrangements. If you would rather make use of the boat launch, the waterways listed above offer a different point of reference. This lets you shape your stay around your interests without treating the different activities as the same.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Whangarei, Tutukaka, Langs Beach, Ruatangata West, Ngunguru, Helena Bay, Whangarei Heads, Kauri

For the broader travel overview: Whangarei District.