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NEW
ZEALAND'S NORTHLAND COAST (Click
here to view coastal map)
Our boats are licensed to cruise over 170 miles of coast with the
Bay of Islands at its centre. This includes Whangaroa Harbour, Poor
Knights Islands, the Hauraki Gulf, and the western side of Great
Barrier Island. The area is New Zealand’s premier cruising
ground, dotted with safe harbours and sheltered coves.
The
Bay of Islands (Click
here to view Bay of Islands map)
The Bay of Islands is 130 square miles of sheltered water studded
with more than 86 islands at sub-tropical latitudes. Safe waters
and variety make the Bay of Islands (pic)
a sailing destination known world wide. The islands are an easy
sail from our base at Opua (pic)
There will always
be choice of sheltered anchorages: the four main islands offer many
small coves with clean sandy beaches and the opportunity for a forest
or grassland hike ashore. The area is rich in both European and
Maori history: Cook anchored here and named the bay, the first white
missionaries chose the Bay of Islands as their base. It is much
more than a place to sail.
The quaint village
of Russell (pic)
and the resort town of Paihia (pic)
have world class restaurants and cafes aplenty if your catch of
the day doesn’t quite make it aboard.
And if you want
to leave society behind you can have an island to yourself.
For those who
want to venture beyond the flat waters of the Bay there is Northland’s
coastline, indented with safe havens.
  
Seasons
Summer stretches from late November to the end of March, with day
time temperatures around 23 degrees Celsius, and water temperatures
between 19 and 23 degrees. However, fair weather prevails from October
to the end of May. The shoulder seasons can be charming with fine
weather and few other boats about. Winter nights are cold, but days
often bring a stunning clarity of air and water.
Activities
The Bay is famed for its dolphins and you will likely be visited
by a friendly pod. The fishing is good; snapper being the favoured
catch. Shellfish for the taking include scallops, mussels, and the
native pipi.
Divers would
want to sail to the world renowned marine reserve of the Poor Knights’
Islands (pic)
south of the Bay, or dive on the wreck of the Rainbow Warrior –
destroyed by sabotage in 1985.
The Bay and
waters beyond are known for game fish. Game fishing charters can
be arranged with local boat operators.
There are historic
sites to visit ashore. Waitangi (pic)
is the site the signing of the nations founding document. The tranquil
Assassination Cove is remembered as the site of a bloody confrontation
between European explorers and the local Maori. A lonely cross at
now deserted Oihi commemorates the first Christian service in New
Zealand.
  
The
Northland coast
For those who wish to head further afield, the spectacular Whangaroa
Harbour (pic)
is an easy days sail north of the Bay and is a ‘must’
visit. Heading South there are numerous harbours and bays scattered
along the 100 miles of coast between the Bay and Auckland, "The
City of Sails" (pic).
Those who wish to stretch the boat’s legs can experience the
50 mile open water sail to the rugged mountains of Great Barrier
Island (pic).
One way voyages between the Bay of Islands and Auckland can be arranged.
Visitors from
the northern Hemisphere are often surprised at the unexploited nature
of the cruising area. There are just two marinas between the Bay
of Islands and Auckland and cruisers should provision accordingly.
Click
here to view our suggested 7-day itinerary...
Or
click here to view our suggested 14-day itinerary...
FairWind Charters,
Opua, Bay of Islands, Northland, New Zealand : Tel +64 9 4027821
: Fax +64 9 4027823 : www.fairwind.co.nz
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