This is a sheltered bay on the inner harbour – a prime swim-and-picnic spot. The bay has splendid wide grassed areas back from the beach that allow you to avoid sand in your sammies.
Pilot Bay is beloved of families with young children – as a civilised alternative to the surf-‘n-people frenzy of Main Beach, a couple of streets away across the narrow peninsula. In season you can hire a kayak or catamaran, and there is a dairy on Salisbury Wharf at the port end of the bay.
The wharf is the place to catch the Tauranga-Mount ferry, and charter boats make pick-ups here. Pilot Bay has modern public toilets with outside showers half way along the beach. The bay has a boat ramp and car and trailer parking.
