Coromandel: Visiting Coromandel Town
We had visited Coromandel town many times by road but having now converted ourselves into boaties we thought that it would be great to do it from the water.
From our land lubbing days we knew the harbour emptied out at low tide but it must be possible to get up to the town at high tide.
We could find little reference to getting into the town via water but the tide was scheduled to be high late morning so we motored around into Coromandel Harbour to see if we could figure it out.
We were going to anchor off Wyuna at walk in along the road. However, when we got there we decided that looked like a bit of a trek on a hot day. Furthermore, being Easter Saturday, the Harbour looked more like a shopping mall car park.
It did not take too long to see the line of dinghies heading in towards shore so we dropped ours off and followed.
Make sure you have your outboard (well topped up with fuel), aim for the town and you will soon pick up some channel bouys.
These take you into the mangroves, up past an assortment of boats moored on the port side of the creek and eventually to the road bridge. You will find some "hitching rails" on both sides of the creek to tie the dinghy up to. The town, some splendid shopping and eateries are but a few paces away.
Dinghy parking was at an absolute premium the day we visited.
I have no idea how long after high water this creek is navigable in a dinghy. If anyone knows can you please add a comment.
A very enjoyable expedition and one that keeps the first mate happy.
Labels: Coromandel, Coromandel Town, Hauraki Gulf
posted by Cliff at 11:51 AM
1 Comments:
Great website! I'm also a (very amateur) explorer of harbours & lakes in a MacGregor 26' trailer sailer. One advantage of them is a shallow draft (200mm with the daggerboard retracted).
I got right up to the road bridge opposite the colonial era pub (forgotten the nautical-sounding name -- Admiral Something?), and tied up to it for the night.
You would have noticed some deep-draught vessels (1 metre or more?) which berth there permanently.
I'd guess that there would be "dinghy-depth" into Coromandel Town for at least 75% of the tide times.
Like you, I have trouble finding practical & up-to-date information on entering harbours & tight-spots. I first phoned around the Coromandel Harbourmaster's contacts and couldn't get anywhere. That 'Little Channel' to the west of Coromandel Town can be only about 1 metre deep at low tide, and the rip-tides sure roar through. All the Best, Murray@Ginnane.co.nz : Tsarina, ZMS6420
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