Sailing New Zealand

Most charters in New Zealand start in the north, and Westhaven Marina, Auckland is the largest marina in the country. It sits minutes from the city centre, with the Hauraki Gulf on the doorstep and the Viaduct Harbour (Auckland Viaduct Marina) nearby if you want a more central berth. From either base you can head to the gulf islands, or sail north to the Bay of Islands for a longer cruise.

The Bay of Islands Marina (Port Opua) is the natural staging point for the far north. It is a working marina with good shelter, and it puts you close to the anchorages and islands that make this region popular. If you are planning to cross the Tasman or head up to the Pacific, this is where many boats wait for a weather window.

On the South Island, the Marlborough Sounds offer a different kind of sailing: winding waterways, forested hills and little swell. Waikawa Marina and Havelock Marina, Marlborough Sounds are the two main bases here. Waikawa is the larger of the two and closer to Picton, while Havelock sits at the head of the Pelorus Sound and suits boats that want to start deep inside the sounds.

Further south, Nelson Marina is a convenient base for Tasman Bay and Abel Tasman National Park, with a sunny climate and easy provisioning. On the east coast, Te Ana Marina, Lyttelton is the main base for Christchurch and the Banks Peninsula. It is a working port with good shelter, though the weather can be more exposed than the sounds. For a first charter, the Bay of Islands or the Marlborough Sounds are the most forgiving; for longer passages, the east coast offers more of a challenge.