Auckland is located on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, about 160NM south of the Bay of Islands. It is well known as the City of Sails and has many beautiful islands and bays worth visiting including Great Barrier Island, Waiheke Island and Kawau Island. It is also close to the Coromandel Peninsula, the east coast of which is also very popular with sailors.
This a busy port for commercial operations, cruise ships and ferries but the approaches and entry are straightforward. The Harbour Master's office posts weekly Notices to Mariners which contain information, warnings and restrictions. When entering Auckland waterways, listen on VHF Channel 12 for shipping movements.
The inner city Westhaven area is home to over 100 marine companies, all within a compact area that can be walked from various berths. It is the country’s largest marine center. A comprehensive directory of businesses can be found at www.nzmarine.com.
If Auckland is your first port of entry and you are planning to then head north to Whangarei or the Bay of Islands be aware that it is a requirement that any vessel entering a Northland harbor must have been anti-fouled within the last six months AND have had a bottom wash in the last month to stop the spread of invasive pests including the Mediterranean Fanworm. This applies to all boats coming from south of Tutukaka.
Ensure you are aware of biosecurity regulations and requirements as non-compliance may require your vessel to be hauled out and cleaned at the skipper/owner's cost.
There are restrictions on some anchoring and fishing activities at these four locations in the nearby cruising grounds of the Hauraki Gulf and Coromandel Peninsula to stop the spread of exotic caulerpa seaweed.
See the Biosecurity New Zealand website and the "Clean Below - Good to Go" Marine Pests website for all biosecurity requirements and restrictions.
36° 50'06"S, 174° 49'27"E (harbour entrance)
Last updated: September 2025
If you have information for this section, or feedback on businesses used, please let us know at editor@noonsite.com. We also welcome new information about businesses you have used (see Related Businesses).
As a free user of Noonsite you are restricted to viewing 3 country formalities per month. You have viewed 0 formalities this month – but can view the countries you have accessed to date as many times as you want.
Become a Noonsite Member and you can view unlimited formalities each month and enjoy additional member benefits. Membership fees help our team keep country formalities information up-to-date in support of cruisers worldwide.
Find out more about membership levels and Become a Noonsite Member.
