Site Sponsors

New Zealand

North Island

Profile

Repair Facilities

Air Conditioning

Marine Services

Diving/Fishing

Yacht Charters & Brokers

Shore Services

Shopping

Noonsite aims to provide a free and comprehensive service to cruising sailors. Help us keep it that way by letting companies know that you found them on Noonsite.

Opua (Bay of Islands) : Profile

Location

This beautiful area is very popular with cruising boats and Opua is very often the arrival port for those yatchtsmen having crossed the Pacific. In addition to Opua, there are three other main townships in the bay, Russell, Waitangi and Paihia.

Clearance

The Custom's dock is clearly marked as a quaranteen area, with no access to shore. It can handle a large number of yachts. Customs and other officials travel to and from the dock in their work boats.

Marina berths can be arranged from here via VHF. Be careful shifting your boat within the marina as the tide runs strongly through here. If possible shift at slack water.

Yachts should contact the authorities 48hrs prior to ETA, if possible, to arrange for Customs and Immigration clearance, this can be done via Russell Radio on SSB Frequencies 4445 (from 0730-0900, 1900-2030) and 4417 (0700-0730, 1900-2030) and on VHF channels 06 and 08 (1900-2030). Alternatively via Taupo Maritime Radio on 4125Khz or 6215Khz or VHF Ch 16.

At other times it may be necessary to contact Whangarei customs on 0800 428 786. An agricultural Department (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.

Last updated July 2008

Customs
Fraser 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 N end.

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
Opening Hours: from 1700, Wednesdays to Sundays
All visitors are very welcome. There are pile moorings available. Contact Dave Lewis of Hammer Hardware (+64 (0)9 402 7853) or visit the club.

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
Opua Post Centre, Bay of Islands 0290
Tel:+ 64 (0)9 402 7124, Fax:+ 64 (0)9 402 6124, VHF Channel 12
enquiries@opuamarina.co.nz
Opening Hours: Office 0800-1730 7 days a week
Situated in the Northland region of the North Island. Full service marina of 233 berths and all facilities. Live aboards allowed. Pump-out facilities (holding tanks MUST be used), general store and Post Office. E-mail and mail pick-up. Also swinging moorings.

Prior marine Ltd
Frankin Street, Opua, Bay of Islands, NZ
Tel:+64 (0)9 402 6191, Fax:+64 (0)9 402 6191
margaret.roger@xtra.co.nz
General marine engineering, welding (s/steel, aluminium, steel). Mooring to rent, boat care services.

Whangaroa Marina
PO Box 141, Whangaroa, Kaeo
Tel: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, 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
http://www.opua-on-line.co.nz/facilities/cruising_club.htm
Club house located beside Opua Marina. Visiting sailors are welcome and cn take part in social, cruising and racing events. Meals available Wed, Thurs (not in winter), Fri and Sun.

Russell Boating Club
PO Box 99, Russell
Tel:403 7222
Clubrooms at Matauwhi Bay.