Mimiwhangata

We were originally going to call back into Oakura on the return from the Bay of Islands. However, an easterly gale blew for several days and we decided on the first day that the winds were forecast to be light to head off down the coast.

When we left the shelter of Urapukupuka Island we found that the swell was all of the 4 metres predicted.

This was the first large swell we had encountered and while a little scary to start with we soon realised that Agnes was going to handle it, as long as the marine forecast was correct.

Heading down the coast we decided that given the swells and a forecast for the winds to get up again from the southeast we would give Whangaruru Harbour a miss. Mimiwhagata looked like a reasonable option given the wind direction. We had visited it by road but only the Ocean side of the park.

We were not the only boat sheltering in the Bay. We anchored just inside Turapata Point.

While the sea was flat, the ocean swells were so big that it was unavoidable that we got a bit of a residue swell rolling around the corner.

The wind remained above our agreed levels for three days so we got well acquainted with the many walking options around the park onshore.

It is a very pretty spot and we thoroughly enjoyed the stay and the exercise that we got. The beach at the head of the bay is deserted and extensive.

The anchorage was OK but we did get 30-40 knots of wind on the days we were there. The part of the bay we anchored in would not be suitable in winds from NW - SW

Anchorage: Mimiwhangata

Position: 35.25.801s 174.25.140e

Date Visited: Feb 2007