When to visit Ōhope

Ōhope is a summer town, but it’s good all year. The eastern Bay of Plenty is one of the sunnier corners of New Zealand, and the beach is just as good for a walk in July as a swim in January. Here’s how the year plays out, and what it costs to stay at Salt & Pepper.

Peak summer: 20 December to 31 January

This is Ōhope at its busiest and best: long days, the surf club patrolling, and the pōhutukawa flowering red in late December. The town fills up, so book early, especially for Christmas and New Year.

• $550 a night per house, 3-night minimum.
• Christmas and New Year (arrivals 22 December to 2 January): $650 a night, 5-night minimum.

Shoulder: 1 November to 19 December, and February to Easter

Our pick. February and March usually bring the warmest sea of the year, settled weather and a much quieter beach once the schools go back. November and early December are good for walking, fishing and the godwits on the harbour.

• $350 a night midweek, $420 on weekends, per house.

Off-peak: after Easter to 31 October

Crisp mornings, empty beaches and the best value of the year. Good for a midweek reset, a long weekend with friends, or a family birthday. Light the BBQ, walk the beach, and do the coastal walks without the crowds.

• $250 a night midweek, $320 on weekends, per house.

Outside peak, the minimum stay is 2 nights, or 3 nights over long weekends. A cleaning fee applies to every stay ($90 for two nights, plus $30 per extra night, capped at $180). Booking direct on our website means no added booking fees. Full details are on the booking page.

Bringing the whole group

Salt and Pepper are two identical four-bedroom houses, side by side on Ocean Road and directly across from the beach. Salt is the light one, Pepper the dark one. That makes them easy to share between two families, grandparents and grandkids, or a group of friends who want to be together without being on top of each other.

• Each house sleeps 8 across 4 bedrooms: 3 queen beds and 2 king singles, with 3 bathrooms.
• Book both and you sleep 16, with two full kitchens and two living areas, so nobody is fighting over the fridge.
• Self check-in by keypad from 3pm, check-out by 10am.
• Pet-free, which also helps guests with allergies.

To book both houses, email your dates to stay@saltandpepperohope.com and we’ll set it up. To book one, use the calendar on the Salt or Pepper page.

Quick answers

What’s the best month to visit Ōhope? February or March, for warm water and a quiet beach. Late December if you want the pōhutukawa and the full summer buzz.

Is Ōhope good in winter? Yes, if you like empty beaches and walks. It’s also the cheapest time to stay.

Where can a group of 16 stay in Ōhope? Book Salt and Pepper together: two side-by-side four-bedroom beach houses on Ocean Road, each sleeping 8.

Pick your dates

See live availability for both houses.