Beachgoers headed to the Bay’s favourite hotspots last week, soaking up all that warm sunshine and cooling off among the coast.

This January has kicked off with sensational summer flare, with icecream melting temperatures being enjoyed by locals and visitors of our region.

Checking in with the Metservice team, meteorologist Clare O’Connor says Tauranga’s hottest temperature recorded last week was 29.1°C.

Yet, the overall high for our region came from further south-east.

“The hottest temperature was in Kawerau, with 32.8°C on Friday, January 12,” says Clare.

This is a sweltering but welcome change to the wet summer the Bay of Plenty suffered last summer.

“The average maximum temperatures in the last week were between 25°C – 30°C, whereas last year the averages were closer to 22°C – 24°C.”

And Mount Manganui’s beaches have certainly reflected these highs, with families and friends all packing onto their own piece of paradise for a splash in the sea.

One beachgoer mum says: “We went to Pilot Bay last Wednesday at 3 o’clock for a swim with the kids and it was jam packed!”

“It was so busy. Everyone was having such a good time.”

These days of pure summer are set to change for the rest of the month however.

“The second half of January is expected to be wetter than the first half, and the sticky humidity hangs around too,” says Clare.

Make sure to catch these slices of sunshine while you can, keep safe and enjoy!