In the western Bay of Plenty, Tauranga is located around a large harbour, protected by Matakana Island and the extinct volcano Mount Maunganui. The whole city is built along a faultline and part of the Taupo vulcanic area with infrequent seisnic activity, but the few volcanoes in the region are mainly dormant – except for White Island, which lies northwest from Tauranga. The first stop at Tauranga was at Papamoa Beach, a bright white and black speckled sand as far as you can see (and quite windy location, too).
