Opua (Bay of Islands) : Profile

Location

Opua is known as the “Gateway to New Zealand” and is located 17 miles from Cape Brett light. This beautiful area is very popular with cruising boats and is the primary arrival port for boats that have crossed the Pacific.

Port Opua is well marked and an easy approach any time of day or night. In addition to Opua, there are three other main townships in the Bay; Paihia 10 min, Russell 15 min and Kerikeri 25 min.

Clearance

The Custom's dock is located at the northern end of the Opua Marina outer breakwater and is clearly marked as a quarantine area - with no access to shore. It is possible to tie to either side so it can handle a large number of yachts. Customs and MAF travel to and from the dock in their work boats.

Opua Marina berths can be arranged from here via VHF 12. Customs will give you a map of the marina upon asking. Be careful shifting your boat within the marina as the tide runs strongly through here. If possible shift at slack water.

Yachts MUST contact the authorities 48hrs prior to ETA, to arrange for Customs and Immigration and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) clearance.
This can be done via Russell Radio on SSB Frequencies : 13101 kHz (1630 to 1730), 6516 kHz (1800 to 1830), 4445 kHz (1830 to 1900), 4417 kHz (1900 to 1930) and on VHF Ch 16 (1900-2030).
Alternatively via Taupo Maritime Radio on 4125Khz or 6215Khz or VHF Ch 16.

At times it may be necessary to contact customs on 0800 428 786. A MAF inspection must be completed immediately on arrival and if additional travel expenses are incurred or this has to be done outside of normal working hours, any costs may be charged to the yacht.

Once entry formalities are completed the crew and vessel are free to travel throughout the country and are not required to report their movements until departure.

Customs Fact sheet
Guide for yachts arriving from offshore
MAF Clearance Fact Sheet

Last updated August 2010.

Customs
Baffin Street, Opua
Tel:+64 029 602 1669, Fax:+64 09 402 7344
www.customs.govt.nz
The Customs berth is inside Opua Marina at the Northern end of the outer breakwater (see marina map on the Opua Marina website).

MAF Quarantine
Tel:+64 09 402 5946 (24hrs), Fax:+64 09 402 5980
MQSWRE@maf.govt.nz

Docking

There are two marinas in the Bay of Islands, Opua Marina and Kerikeri Crusing Club Marina, as well as many anchorages and other types of mooring. The many islands in the bay allow shelter to be found from any wind direction and the rivers winding inland provide protection during the more severe winter storms.

Bay of Island Yacht Club
Waitangi
Tel:+64 (0)9 402 7853
Opening Hours: from 1700, Wednesdays to Sundays
All visitors are very welcome. There are pile moorings available. Contact David Hope-Lewis.

Kerikeri Cruising Club Marina
Doves Bay, PO Box 101, Kerikeri Inlet
Tel:+64 (9) 407 9434/027 271 4054, Fax:+64 (9) 407 7214
Opening Hours: Peak 0800-1700 hrs, Off peak 0800-1100 hrs
Situated in Doves Bay on the Kerikeri Inlet (northern side) The marina manager is on site if the flag is flying from the flag pole next to the office. He is usually there from 8am to 11am, 7 days a week. Facilities include toilets, showers, water, electricity, fuel, laundry and cafe/bar.

Opua Marina
28A Baffin St, Bay of Islands Opua, New Zealand 0200
Tel:+ 64 (0)9 402 7124, Fax:+ 64 (0)9 402 6124, VHF Channel 12
enquiries@opuamarina.co.nz
Opening Hours: Summer 0800-1730 / Winter 08:15 to 17:00 7 days a week
Located at the southern end of the Veronica channel. Easy approach day or night. Customs berth located on the outer breakwater of the marina. Full service marina with 250 berths, 35 swing mooring and 14 pile moorings. Live-aboards welcome, hot showers, pump-out facilities (holding tanks MUST be used), fuel dock (diesel only), wi-fi and postal services (use marina address/boat name/yacht in transit). The Port Opua Marina Park has every marine service within walking distance including: haulout and hardstand, boat builders, riggers, refrigeration, mechanics, chandleries, laundry, car hire, painters, stainless steel fabrication, insurance and boat brokers, storage facility, café and hairdresser.

Whangaroa Marina
PO Box 141, Whangaroa, Kaeo
Tel:+64 09 405 0505

Yacht Clubs

Of the various clubs in the Bay of Islands, popular with visiting yachts are the Opua Cruising Club, Opua, and the Russell Boating Club, Matauwhi Bay, Russell. Call on VHF Ch 16, Opua keeps a much better listening watch, working channel 77. Both clubs are open Wednesday, Thursday (in season), Friday and Sunday nights, with meals available. Summer (short term) membership available at both clubs.

Bay of Island Yacht Club [see above]

Kerikeri Cruising Club Marina [see above]

Opua Cruising Club
P.O. Box 1, Opua 0241, Bay of Islands
www.opuacruisingclub.co.nz
Club house located adjacent to Opua Marina. Visiting sailors are welcome and can take part in social, cruising and racing events. Meals available Wed, Thurs (in season), Fri and Sun.

Russell Boating Club
PO Box 99, Russell
Tel:+64 (0)9 403 7222
Clubrooms at Matauwhi Bay.

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