This panorama shows Pilot Bay and the beach there. It is very sheltered, unlike the beaches on the other side of Mount Maunganui, with numerous boats moored offshore and people relaxing in the summer sun. It seems the rowing boats on the beach must be a semi-permanent feature - they are visible in the satellite view of the Google map of the are if you zoom in.

Pilot Bay Beach - Mount Maunganui visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Pilot Bay Beach' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Bay of Plenty.

Pilot Bay is the sheltered bay by created by the sand spit, or tombolo, by Mt. Maunganui that links the extinct Mount Maunganui volcano to the mainland. The bay is on the western side of the spit, and overlooks Tauranga harbour. At the northern end of the beach is the Mount Mauao Reserve and the beginning of the circular Base Walk round the volcano. Close to here the path branches off with one path forming a circular rout to the summit of Mount Maunganui where there area fantastic panoramic views back down onto the town and bay.

The volcanic cone is clearly seen to the north in this panorama, and the back of the beach is lined with numerous hotels and holiday apartments. The beach here is of coarse sand.