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

Whangaruru Harbour

We returned to Whangaruru Harbour while en route to Bay of Islands.

We left Gulf Harbour at 6am headed for Whangarei Harbour but the sea conditions were so good when we arrived off the Heads and the forecast for the next day not so good, that we decided to push on.

At 6pm we arrived at Whangaruru and anchored in Admirals Bay (Whakapakara Bay), the first Bay on the starboard side just past Black Rocks. The Doc ranger home is on the shore.

The bay is a little shallow at low tide but also reasonably deserted, an ideal anchorage for a Logan. It was also handy to pop across to Oakura Bay the next morning for a wander around the village and catch up with old friends.

Having spent quite a bit of time at Oakura as a land lubber, we knew that you would not want to anchor inside Rugged Point as there is always a bit of a swell rolling in. But it is a good place to anchor for the day for a look around this very pretty area.

A brisk northerly blew up as predicted the next day. While we had good shelter beyond rugged point we did not want to spend the night there. Having kayaked most of the harbour, I decided that Bland Bay (harbour side) probably offered the best shelter without going further up into the harbour. We anchored to the east of Motukauri Island, there were quite a few boats but plenty of room.

The front passed through overnight and bland bay offered another pleasant morning walk through the camp to the ocean beach.

If you have time, there is a reasonably strenuous stroll from the top of the road at Puriri Bay. Takes you up on a circular route via the top of the hill through to a blowholl on the open ocean and back via the Bay we anchored in the first night.

Anchorages:

Admirals Bay

Position: 35:22:218s 174:21:361e

Bland Bay

Position: 35:21:01s 174:20:90e

Dates visited: Jan 2007

Whangamumu Harbour

I had read a bit about Whangamumu Harbour, difficult to spot from offshore, very pretty, shelltered, etc. All these were true but probably more so that I had anticipated.

I was using the chart plotter as we came up the coast from Bland Bay, and according to that, we were very close to the inner harbor but I could still not pick out the entrance.

As you cruise further in, the outer harbour "doglegs" to the port side and there in front is the anchorage, almost completely circled by reasonably steep hills with a pleasant sandy beach at the head of the bay.

There is no road access or dwellings, you either get there by boat or divert off the DOC track to Cape Brett.

I can assure you that on a hot day the climb out of the bay to that track is a moisture sapping one but well worth the effort. The views both up and down are spectacular.

If you keep walking along the main track you will also get views down into Rawhiti in the outer By of Islands. If you are enrgetic enough you can walk down to Rawhiti. However, visiting by boat is not far off if you are heading up to the Bay. If you anchor at Oki Bay (recommended) you are 2 minutes walk from the village.

There is an old whaling station on the north eastern side of Whangamumu bay that is worth a visit.

This is one of the more enjoyable anchorages that I have visited, It's beauty and isolation are hard to beat.

Anchorage: Whangamumu Harbour

Position: 35.15.063S 174.17.729E

Date Visited: February 07

Whangarei Harbour: Parua Bay

Our aim after launch was to have a day’s familiarisation and then head out onto Whangarei Harbour for a couple of nights before heading off down the coast on our first big adventure.

Well the weather had other ideas and arriving with us in Whangarei was a very fresh south westerly wind which established itself for the next fives days.

While we did get out during the day, with most of the harbours anchorages exposed to the quarter we made it back to the comfort of the cruising club berth at night.

After five days, the weather sounded promising enough for us to settle our account at the cruising club and venture out for our first night of not being secured to the land.

We headed for “The Nook” in Parua Bay. All the books we had read indicated that this would be the most likely spot to afford shelter from any remaining south westerly.

By the time we arrive at The Nook the wind had freshened considerably and the water was quite choppy, certainly did not look like a comfortable night.

Eric Knight of Logan Boats had shown us a bay they called “Breakfast Bay”, it was around Martin Point to the north of The Nook, further into Parua Bay.

We found this to be a lot calmer even in the wind that had freshened further with some very strong gusts in passing squalls. After endless position checks we were happy that we were not moving and, well, in mid May darkness descended quickly. A comfortable night was had.

Anchorage: “Breakfast Bay” – Parua Bay
Position: 35.46.928S - 174.27.935E
Date Visited: 16 May 2006