Today we spied one of our Stripe Umbrellas visiting Ōmokoroa Beach, one of New Zealand's gems.

Set on a long peninsula in the Tauranga Harbour, Ōmokoroa has transformed over the years from the sleepy holiday spot to a thriving lifestyle area with a vibrant mix of locals and visitors. Beach lovers swim, sun bathe (when not hiding under a Shady Characters Beach Umbrella), kayak, SUP and fish or launch from the jetty. You’ll find a nice sandy beach for your beach umbrella in front of Ōmokoroa Domain, near the tip of the peninsula and just along from the local Boat Club. The waves gently lap the shore, making it ideal for small children while mum relaxes on her beach chair. Park up beneath the pōhutukawa and let the kids loose on the playground equipment. In summer you can hire kayaks and paddleboards on this beach and paddle over to Motuhoa Island or explore the inner harbour.

More recently, Omokoroa has seen an influx of day trippers on two wheels, the Ōmokoroa to Tauranga Cycle Trail is part of the New Zealand Cycle Trail network and provides a safe and recreational link between the peninsular and Tauranga City. The 17km project provides an alternative transport choice to the busy State Highway 2 corridor that connects the area to Tauranga City. Be sure to pack your beach chair, towel or umbrella on your next bike to make that well-deserved rest all the more rewarding.

The Maori name Ōmokoroa means place of the small white grub, otherwise known as the “Huhu grub”. The Huhu grub is a Maori delicacy found in bush undergrowth. But not without controversy some believe the town of Ōmokoroa translates to ‘the long lizard’ and the pace of life in this coastal settlement is certainly relaxed and unhurried. Whether you are a grub hiding under an umbrella or a long lizard lounging on a beach chair in the sun, be sure to enjoy Ōmokoroa with some Shady Characters Beach Essentials.