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Whangarei information
Whangarei is a vibrant, coastal city at the centre of a district
known for its beautiful beaches, lush green countryside, and
relaxed lifestyle. The city of Whangarei lies in the upper
reaches of a picturesque harbour, nestled amid
rain-forest clad hills. Whangarei harbour is home to a broad
range of marine servicing companies which are very experienced
and well acquainted with the needs of cruising yachts people.
View of Whangarei Heads from South
There are two marinas within the harbour offering
cruising skippers a choice of berths. Marsden Cove near the
habour entrance offers Port of Entry services and is a modern,
well-appointed marina with state of the art services and
convenient dockside shopping. Being relatively close to the main
highway, it is an ideal base for those seeking both ready access
to the ocean and the highway south to Auckland, New Zealand's
largest city.
Whangarei's Town Basin Marina is located in the heart of Whangarei City and approximately 11 nautical miles inland from the harbour entrance. It offers convenient access to the city shops and amenities. It is very popular with cruising skippers and crew who wish to remain moored for longer periods.
Whangarei
Town Basin
Whangarei has a strong tradition of boat building and shipping. In pre-European times Maori plied the waters in canoes stone adzed from massive trees felled in the surrounding hills. Next on the scene were the boat builders who arrived with early European settlers. The huge harbour with ample nearby timber supplies was a natural site for building the dinghies and small sailing ships that were the only form of transport between many of the early coastal settlements. In its more recent history Whangarei has added to its reputation for wooden boat work by embracing the use of modern high-tech materials as these have been developed. When you step ashore in the port of Whangarei today you will find contemporary build and repair facilities for vessels ranging from super yachts and war ships to sailing dinghies and inflatables.
Whangarei harbour and river showing the Town Basin marina
in foreground
The greater Whangarei district extends from Langs Beach in the south to Bland Bay in the north. This coastline boasts some of the finest beaches in the country, and, as if placed on the map just for cruising yachts, the district is conveniently located on the outer fringe of the magnificent Hauraki Gulf and within an easy day’s sail from the acclaimed Bay of Islands. In short, Whangarei is at the epicenter of the North Island’s famed east coast cruising grounds. In fact the name Whangarei translates from the Maori language as "Cherished Harbour". Just a few miles outside the harbour entrance are the Hen and Chickens Islands and a few more miles to the north is the picturesque Tutukaka Coast, where a safe marina nestles behind a big entrance rock less than a kilometer from the open Pacific.
Distant view of the Hen and Chicks Islands taken from Kauri
Mountain beach just North of Whangarei
Only 20 minutes from Whangarei by car , Tutukaka offers a laid back option for boat owners wanting to do minor works or provisioning or just enjoy a more country atmosphere. Close to good fishing, spectacular coastal walks and surf beaches, Tutukaka also has a selection of cafes and bars. The marina is home port to a small fleet of dive and fishing charter boats. Twelve miles offshore the Poor Knights Islands marine reserve is rated as one of the world’s top dive locations. These islands offer scores of different dives in clear oceanic water, where a warmer Pacific current nudges near sheer underwater cliffs nurturing an amazing array of colourful marine life. The fishing charters include line fishing and big game action, with striped marlin a special target during the summer months and freshly caught snapper a culinary delight year round.
View of Ngunguru Estuary. Ngunguru is just south of
Tutukaka Harbour
Just a two hour drive, or a 40 minute
flight, north of Auckland, the Whangarei district enjoys an
average of 2,000 hours of sunshine a year. With an annual
rainfall of 1555 mm this results in a near sub-tropical
climate in which to enjoy the stunning beaches, incredible
coastal scenery, and wide variety of aquatic adventures,
all within a 30 minute drive of the city centre.
Sandy Bay, just north of Tutukaka is just 1 of about 30
gorgeous beaches on the Tutukaka Coast
For those with children, or just a thirst for learning, Whangarei has a number of excellent schools, from kindergarten to high school levels and also boasts a Polytechnic covering a wide range of subjects, including degrees in nursing and education. Other aspects of Whangarei life worth considering include an active live theatre group, a small concert venue at Forum North that regularly features visiting musicians and artists, a heated indoor swimming pool close to the Town Basin and a modern children’s playground close to the Whangarei Marina.