Harataonga

[1][2] Dragon Island at the eastern end of the bay provides some protection from the Pacific Ocean from the east and south-east, with further protection provided by the larger Rakitu (Arid) Island to the north.

[1] The Department of Conservation runs a campground that is surrounded by farmland and forest 300 metres from the beach.

[3] The tracks run through regenerating forest of mānuka, kānuka, nīkau palms, cabbage trees, and pittosporum that is habitat for birds including grey warbler, kingfisher, kererū (wood pigeon), silvereye, and tūī.

[4] The bay is an important nesting area for pāteke (brown teal), New Zealand dotterel, oystercatchers and banded rail.

[1] Ngāti Rehua Ngati Wai ki Aotea had been present in the bay before the arrival of European settlers.