Recreation information has moved to the "Can I Swim Here?" section of LAWA
Pātea (Mana Bay) boat ramp is located 300 metres upstream of the river mouth, and some 45km downstream of the Pātea Hydro Electric Plant (HEP) dam. There are also consented treated wastewater discharges from dairy ponds in the catchment upstream of the site, and the Pātea Wastewater Treatment Plant discharges 700m upstream of the boat ramp.
Boating, fishing, and walking are the main recreational activities at this site, and the boat ramp is also popular for those fishing offshore through the Pātea bar.