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New Zealand
Cruising Notes
The Hauraki Gulf
Your charter
start base in Auckland is gateway to more
than 1500 square miles of beaches, protected anchorages and islands waiting to be
explored. The inner islands of Rangitoto, Motutapu and Motuihe all provide secluded
anchorages, just half and hour's cruise from Auckland. Outside the Gulf, you'll find Great
Barrier Island, with some of the best diving and fishing in New Zealand, Kawau Island, the
favourite haunt of the dolphins and Pakatoa Island - a holiday resort with good marina
facilities and a fine restaurant.
Hauraki
Gulf Cruising Notes:
The Inner Islands Within an hour of setting
sail from our Auckland base, you will reach the inner of the islands, of which the
nearest, Rangitoto Island, dominates the landscape. Now an extinct volcano, it has a
hiking trail through the Pohutukawa Forest to the summit, providing panoramic views of
Auckland.
Waiheke Island Further on, you'll come to
Waiheke Island, home to some of New Zealand's best wineries, where you can wine and dine
in superb style among the olive groves. Besides beautiful white sandy beaches, the island
boasts a range of local crafts, potting, weaving, leatherwork and art.
Pakatoa Island and Coromandel Peninsula To the
east is Pakatoa Island, a holiday resort with good facilities and a fine restaurant. You
can relax here before sailing across the Firth of Thames to the enchanting Coromandel
Peninsula. In its more colourful past the Coromandel area experienced the excitement of a
gold rush. Today, its steep, wild mountains, its forests, and its lovely coastline are
favoured by nature enthusiasts and visiting yachtsmen.
Great Barrier Island Sail north out of the
Gulf to the leeward side of Great Barrier Island to find some of the best cruising, diving
and fishing in New Zealand. A hot thermal spring, rare birds, ivory beaches and superb
seafood are among the island's other attractions. You will find several good locations
where you can renew your supplies, and find a sheltered anchorage for the night.
Kawau Island Cruising to Kawau Island is a
memorable experience, especially when you're accompanied by dolphins. Part of the Hauraki
Gulf National Maritime Park, this island proves popular with yachtsmen for its sheltered
anchorages and scenic coves to overnight in. From here, you can sail home to our Auckland
Base, or venture up the coast to our base in the Bay Of Islands.
Suggested Itinerary: 1 week Hauraki
Gulf
Day 1 Arrive in Auckland
Day 2 Waiheke Island - 15nms
Day 3 Coromandel Peninsula - 20nms
Day 4 Great Barrier Island (Tryphena) - 35nms
Day 5 Tryphena to Fitzroy Harbour (Great Barrier Island) - 13nms
Day 6 Kawau Island - 30nms
Day 7 Auckland - 30nms
Bay
of Islands
The Bay of Islands has attracted sailors from
around the world for over a century and our base is in the quaint township of Opua, just
half an hour from the nearest airport. From here, the cruising, snorkelling and fishing
are excellent, as is the local cuisine. Explore the sleepy bays and sweeping beaches of
Roberton Island, the rugged isolation of Cape Brett and Deep Water Cove with its
spectacular marine life. Experience magnificent views from Urupukapuka Island and visit
historical Russell - the site of the first European settlement in New Zealand.
Bay of Islands Cruising Notes:
Opua - Once a
bustling commercial port, Opua has retired into a quaint fishing village
and is now the largest clearance port for visiting overseas yachts into New Zealand.
Your charter's start base is nestled in the heart of Opua, adjacent to a fabulous seafood restaurant,
a local shop for provisioning and near the local yacht club. Shore based showers and
laundry are available.
Paihia and Waitangi- Amongst the most popular tourist destinations in New
Zealand, Paihia boasts
literally dozens of fabulous restaurants many specialising in serving fine cuisine based
on local seafood and produce. Souvenir shops are in abundance and the local shopping
centre adjacent to the foreshore provides virtually everything you could require. Waitangi
is home of the "Treaty House" this being the site where the Maoris and Pakehas
signed the treaty agreement of New Zealand. The Treaty House
along with much of New Zealand's cultural heritage is displayed at the Waitangi Visitors
Centre, well worth a visit.
Russell- Situated directly across the inner harbour from Paihia, Russell
was the site of the first European settlement in New Zealand and was its first capital.
Once a bustling whaling town, Russell is home to The Captain Cook Memorial Museum which is
well worth a visit to get a true taste of the Bays colourful history. The town has shops
for provisioning and some world class restaurants.
Roberton Island - With a wide open bay on the southern side, Roberton
Island is an attractive
anchorage and is sheltered from the northerly breezes. A delightful snorkelling trail set
in a natural lagoon lies near the middle of the island and is both safe and fun for young
and old alike.
Te Hue - A large cove with high surrounding headlands makes Te Hue an
ideal overnight stop. A small wharf at the upper end of the cove provides fresh water for
yachts at high tide.
Moturua Island- A scenic reserve with several beautiful anchorage's and
sandy beaches this island is steeped in history. Explorers such as Captain Cook and Marion
de Fresne have visited this island, a bottle claiming New Zealand for the French is said
to be buried somewhere on Moturua. The pretty anchorage of Honey Moon Cove is a favourite
amongst many visiting yachtsmen.
Urupukapuka Island- Boasting exquisite anchorages like Paradise Bay,
Indico Bay and the famous
Otehei Bay, Urupukapuka is the largest of the islands in the Bay Of Islands. Moor up at
the charming Otehei Bay or a picnic or dine ashore in the restaurant. Sandy beaches and
island walks provide magnificent views of the Bay Of Islands.
Cape Brett and Deep Water Cove- An exhilarating sail east brings you to
Cape Brett, isolated and rugged, this outer most guardian of the Bay charges skyward from
the depths of the Pacific. The unique, world famous "Hole in the Rock" has
become a major tourist attraction for the tens of thousands of visitors to the Bay each
year. Deep Water Cove is a popular day time anchorage where you can anchor
virtually on the shoreline. The area has a reputation for superb diving, spectacular
marine life and some of the worlds best big game fishing. The Bay Of Islands is home to
large schools of dolphins, more often than not they will join you for some fun and thrills
on your bow wave.
Cavalli Islands- Lying approximately half way between the Bay Of Islands
and Whangaroa Harbour this isolated group of coastal islands provides a stunning stop for
lunch or even an overnight anchorage in settled weather. The scenery is spectacular both
above the water and below, the sunken ship wreck of the Rainbow Warrior lies just north
west of the group.
Whangaroa Harbour- The northern most point of our vast cruising area this
fjord like harbour is
simply spectacular. Rocky outcrops thrust out of the sea to over 1100 feet high, cosy
anchorages nestled at the base afford peaceful overnight anchorages. The quiet township of
Whangaroa is home to a commercial fishing fleet and big game fishing boats. Entering the
harbour entrance, the famous King Fish Lodge has been visited by many celebrities looking
for that special touch of paradise. Make sure you make your reservation for an exquisite
meal, you never know who you may be dining with.
Suggested Itinerary: 1 week Bay Of Islands
Day 1 Russell - 3nms
Day 2 Roberton Is/Moturua Is - 6nms
Day 3 Deep Water Cove/ Cape Brett/Urupukapuka Is - 16nms
Day 4 Exploring Urupukapuka/Waipiro Bay - 2nms
Day 5 Roberton Is/Te Hue - 4nms
Day 6 Kerikeri Inlet - 10nms
Day 7 Russell/Opua (Base) - 11nms
One Way Coastal Cruising:
For the more experienced sailor, cruising
between Auckland and the Bay Of Islands opens up 120 miles of fabulous sailing, as you
explore the coastline between our bases.
Visit delightful fishing harbours such as
Leigh and Tutukaka. The coastal harbour of Whangamumu makes another idyllic overnight
stop. Remains of an old whaling station are still visible on the shoreline.
You are always able to keep in touch with the
charter bases. Friendly staff are there to help and give you all the information and
advice you need.
Dining Ashore
New Zealand's reputation for its wine and
cuisine is the envy of the southern hemisphere. Local Pacific dishes range from fresh
crayfish to wild pork, New Zealand lamb and a banquet of ethnic dishes, and there's a
wealth of fine seafood restaurants in both cruising areas.
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This page was last updated:
Thursday, 23 March 2006 18:27
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