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

Bay of Islands - Oke Bay

Oke Bay was our first anchorage on our first visit to the Bay of Islands.

We left Whangamumu Harbour with a brisk South Westerly blowing. The trip up to Cape Brett was very enjoyable but once around the Cape we struck a confused sea with a reasonable chop against a bit of a swell. Not the sort of conditions that Agnes particularly enjoys.

We decided to head for Oke Bay which looked to be sheltered in the conditions. We were not disappointed.

The bay quickly filled with vessels as the wind gathered strength and while we were getting some pretty good gusts, the day was clear and warm and the water with the white sand was just magnificent.

Oke Bay is accessible by road but it is not visible and I suspect only motorists who had particularly read up their tour guides or consulted a map would venture down to the beach. As a result, it had an isolated feel to it.

You can access the Cape Brett track from Oke Bay.

I did not have any great expectations of Oke Bay, one seasoned boatie we had met had never bothered with it. We were surprised with the beauty of the bay and thoroughly enjoyed it. It probably lead to us being a little disappointed with some of the more highly rated anchorages that we were to later visit.

Anchorage: Oke Bay - Bay of Islands
Position: 35:13:630e 174:16:00s
Date Visited: Feb 2007