Long Bay features the Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve, part of which is a 1 km long swimming beach edging rural surrounds. There has been some controversy with proposals for building on the farmland near the beach. There are a few scattered shops, but the nearest group of shops is in nearby Torbay. Long Bay has a primary school and a college. The urban area of Long Bay is very small and is generally considered to be part of Torbay, with the name Long Bay referring to the beach and park.