This popular fishing and swimming spot in the Hokianga Harbour is opposite the shops and hotels in Opononi. This beach is lined with pohutakawa trees, enormous sand dunes and a beautiful harbour. The area was made famous in the 1950s by Opo, the bottlenose dolphin. Opo was the first documented wild dolphin that would play with people and even let small children ride her. On March 8th, 1956, after local pressure, and official law was passed protecting her. The following day she was found dead in a rock crevice. It is unknown how she died but she received an honorary Maori burial next to the War Memorial Hall.

According to tradition, this land was originally discovered by Kupe, a legendary Polynesian explorer and navigator settled in the region in 925 AD. It is thought to be the oldest Maori settlement. The Ngapuhi tribe inhabited the area in the 14th century until the 1800's when the first European ship landed in the harbour. Deforestation of Hokianga begun soon after but the Waipoua Forest was spared. It is New Zealand's largest rainforest.

The description above was copied from or heavily based on Swim Guide, with permission.

More Information

• Swim Guide - Weather and water quality for Hokianga Harbour at Opononi and 8,000 other beaches.