Tauranga (Bay of Plenty) - Docking

Marinas:

There are two marinas which are on either side of the main shipping channel:

• Tauranga Marina which is on the west side of Sulphur Point: and
• Tauranga Bridge Marina which is located 2.2 nautical miles due south of Mount Maunganui down the main shipping channel.

Anchorages:

There are anchorage areas within the Tauranga harbour and some areas can get shallow - so do your due diligence on where to anchor. Contact the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Mooring team on 0800 556687.  However, it is possible to anchor in or close to one of the mooring fields below, as long as you do not impede a mooring or anchor in a shipping channel.   There is also a local by-law against against anchoring within the same or approximate location for longer than 14 days.

Moorings:

There are no visitor moorings for short term use - all moorings are individually owned and administered by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council in the following areas within the Tauranga Harbour:

• Waikareao, Tauranga Harbour
  
• Pilot Bay, Mount Maunganui
• Causeway, Tauranga Harbour
• Town Reach, Tauranga Harbour
• Pios Beach - Bowentown 
• Tanners Point
• Ōmokoroa 
• Ongare Point
• Te Puna/Plummers Point

Nearby islands:

Mayor Island (Tuhua): 21 NM from Tauranga harbour entrance is a National park and breeding ground for endangered bird species. Southeast Bay is the best anchorage and is protected from all but the Southeast winds.

Motiti Island: 12 NM from the Harbour entrance has excellent fishing and diving. The historic steam Tug Taioma was sunk off the island with the express purpose of being a diving attraction. It is clearly marked on charts.

Karewa Island: 5 NM from the Harbour entrance is also a national park/reserve however landing is prohibited on this Island as it is a breeding ground for one of New Zealand’s national treasures, the Tuatara lizard. Fishing around this island is very good, but there is deep water right up to the rocks most of the way around.

Last updated:  July 2025