Bay of Islands: Otaio Bay - Urupukapuka Island

Otaio Bay was the second bay in the Bay of Islands we anchored in during our 2007 cruise.

The chart indicated that it got pretty shallow at low water but that would not be a problem for us. In fact it turned out to be a distinct advantage on several occasions. At low water we tended to pretty much have the inner bay to ourselves. Depending on how close in we anchored we had anything between 1-2m under the boat at low water.

Sheltered from most winds it proved to be a haven during a particularly good blow from the south east. However, it is a reasonbly big bay and we found it necessary to move to different sides of the bay during stronger winds.

On shore there was good access to The Urupukapuka track which allows you to walk around most of the Island. A couple of hairy parts on the track but well worth the effort. If it is a sunny day (as it was the day we went) take plenty of water and cover up as you are in the open sun for most of the walk. You can also walk down to the Fullers cafe in Otehei bay if you don't mind mixing in with all the tourists.

Paradise Bay is just to the South.

Location: 35.12.723s 174.13.499e

Date Last Visited: Feb 07

Warkworth - Via the Mahurangi river

We managed to get weather, weekends and tide coordinated so that we could finally take Agnes up the Mahurangi river to Warkworth.

Having been a regular visitor to Warkworth by road over the years I had studied the jetty area, it did not look like a particularly spacious area to try and swing a 10.5m boat around, particularly with a skipper of limited skills. However, why not give it a shot.

My first mistake was to forget that the Linz tide charts are not adjusted for daylight savings.

Having figured out that I was going to be motoring at low revs, it would probably take at least 2 hours from Mita Bay up to the town. So we set off at "half tide".

I was surprised at how shallow it was reasonably early into the trip, figured out why when leaving on the "outgoing tide" and noticing that the current was still indicating an incoming tide.

However, apart from a couple of anxious moments when we go to 900mls of water below us, the trip was enjoyable.

The channel is marked with port and starboard markers (not together) and our only real problem was in picking these up early in the trip. Binoculars were necessary.

You do need to watch for craft coming along the river as there is a small marina at the old cement works just east of Warkworth.

I had decided before we left that the best method of mooring at the jetty would be to swing the boat around with the bow facing back down the river.

Fortunately, we had plenty of space to choose from and the preplanned method of coming alongside the jetty worked well. There were also plenty of willing hands to take ropes and help us in. Thanks to anyone who was there on the day.

You are moored right in the town so whether it is a wander around the shops, a coffee or popping across to the Supermarket, you will have plenty of time.

We thought we were getting in and leaving a hour an hour before and after high water. As it was we arrived 1.5 hours before high water.

Having viewed it at low water, don't contemplate over-nighting unless you want to sit on the bottom.

All in all a great trip but only suitable for craft that do not draw a lot of water.

Date of Trip: 1 December 07