CharterLink Bareboat Yacht Charter

Great Barrier Escape

Day 1  Leave Bayswater Marina 1000
Sail to Kawau Island with a stop at Tiritiri Matangi Island for walk and/or swim.  Sail on to Bon Accord Harbour and anchor in Mansion House Bay or one of the bays on the other side depending on the wind direction.  Take an evening stroll round to Lady Bay and up to the lookout on the top of the island.  Return via Two House Bay.

Day 2  Kawau Island to Port Fitzroy, Great Barrier Island
Up with the sparrows this morning and all hands on deck for the 30 mile cruise across the Gulf to Great Barrier Island.  This is New Zealand's largest offshore Island covering some 28,000 ha.  Innumerable activities await you at the Island including diving, fishing, snorkelling, walking and tramping, or just enjoy some "time-out".  There are three harbours to visit on the Island, all providing good sheltered anchorages in numerous bays.  Port Fitzroy is the main port of call and is nearly landlocked by Kaikoura Island.  The scenery will enthral you as you near the island and, as you enter into the harbour, a wonderful waterland will open up to you. Port Fitzroy itself offers sheltered anchorage for the night and a perfect start to your Great Barrier adventure.

Day 3  Port Fitzroy: fishing, diving, swimming, walks etc
After a good night’s sleep you are ready to venture ashore and stretch the legs. Visit the local shop for an ice cream and pick up some information on the Island’s walks.  The Department of Conservation administers much of the forestland covering the Island and has developed many walks in the area. Spend part of the day exploring the inner waterways and anchorages.  Stop over at Smokehouse Bay. Here you can get down to some real pioneering.  Light the fire, heat the water, fill the old bath and enjoy a soak; smoke the fish or do the washing!!  A great place to meet fellow cruisers and exchange stories.

Day 4  Port Fitzroy:
Today is the day that you ensure your anchor is well dug in for you are in for some exercise with a visit to one of the famous Kauri Dams on the Island. Venture around to Kaiarara Bay and find a spot to anchor.  You will find a good entry to the walk, which will take approx 2 hours return, at the head of the Bay.  This area was the site of extensive timber milling in the early 1920's.  The track continues to the top of Mount Hobson with extensive views over the Island.  Spoil yourselves tonight after such gruelling exercise, and book in for a meal at the guesthouse above the jetty just inside the Bay. 

Day 5  Sail to Whangaparapara:
Time to head down the coast and visit Whangaparapara Harbour.  Depart through Man O'War Passage, and navigate your way through the beautiful waters of the outer Islands.  Take in the scenery but keep an eye on your chart.  Whangaparapara Harbour is a splendid fiord-like bay, surrounded by high hills and old world charm.  There are bush walks and a hotel for meals.

Day 6  Sail to Waiheke Island
Up with the birds again this morning to sail the 35 miles to the eastern end of Waiheke and anchor in Man O’ War Bay.
Alternatively spend another day at Great Barrier and visit Tryphena Harbour, not so good in a south westerly, but very sheltered in a north easterly.

Day 7  Visit Stony Batter and sail closer to Auckland
In the morning walk up to Stony Batter, a series of gun emplacements and tunnels built during the Second World War.
In the afternoon sail to Motuihe Island or Islington Bay which is handy for your return to Bayswater.

Day 8  Return to Bayswater Marina

Waiheke Explorer

Day 1

Pick up your vessel at Bayswater Marina 1200 hours
Sail out of the harbour taking in the scenery and daily activities of the bustling Auckland Harbour before entering the magic of the Gulf.  Sail through the Tamaki Strait, between the mainland and Waiheke Island, to what the locals call the “bottom end” of Waiheke. Anchor for the night in Chamberlains Bay or Shark Bay on Ponui Island.

Day 2

Spend the morning fishing near the fish farm.  When you have caught enough for lunch motor over to Man O’War Bay and after lunch, walk to Stony Batter – a series of gun emplacements and tunnels built during the Second World War.  Don’t forget a torch!

Day 3

Sail around to the northern coast of Waiheke Island.  Visit Cactus Bay, a lovely cove with a small sandy beach for lunch and snorkelling.  There is only room for one small yacht inside the bay, but if it is calm with not much swell, then you can anchor just outside and take the dinghy to explore.
Sail on to Oneroa Bay, also on the northern coast of Waiheke, with its sandy beach and township with a unique village atmosphere. There are local crafts and cafes and you can have a meal out or takeaways if you feel like a night off from cooking.
Alternative anchorage can be found at Owhanaki or Matiatia Bay on the western side of the Island and road access provides for either a walk or a short bus ride into Oneroa.

Day 4

Sail back to Bayswater Marina to arrive by 1200 hours.

Kawau Expedition

Day 1

Pick up your vessel at Bayswater Marina at 1000 hours.  Set sail for the 25 miles to Kawau Island.  Anchor in Bon Accord Harbour.

Day 2

Visit the Mansion House, Sir George Grey’s stately mansion.  Perhaps take one of the peaceful walking tracks through the native forest.
In the afternoon find a spot to fish or visit Vivian Bay where there is a lovely sandy beach.

Day 3

Sail to Tiritiri Matangi Island, which is a conservation success story and home to many endangered birds.  Take a walk up to the lighthouse amongst the birds.

Sail to Motuihe Island or Islington Bay for overnight anchorage.

Return to Bayswater Marina by 1000 hours.

A Relaxing Weekend

Day 1 

Pick up your vessel from Bayswater Marina on Friday afternoon.  After your briefing enjoy a leisurely sail down the harbour to Islington Bay, about 8 miles, taking in the scenery as you go.  This is a very sheltered bay between Rangitoto and Motutapu Islands providing the perfect spot for you to get to know your vessel.   It is very picturesque with bush covered lava on one side and farmland and cliffs on the other.  Settle in for the night and whilst enjoy cocktail hour in the cockpit admiring the view!

Day 2

After breakfast climb the volcanic cone of Rangitoto (information boards on shore) to get your bearings and for the spectacular view.  It is an unusual landscape of volcanic rock being populated by ’vegetation islands’ as trees become established and provide shade for other plants.
Up anchor and motor over to Motuihe Island stopping for some fishing on the way, or if you are up for a sail, circumnavigate Motuihe, and then anchor either at Ocean Beach or West Bay depending on the wind direction.  Have a swim to cool off.

Day 3

Take a walk on Motuihe Island: there are options of short or longer walks.  Visit the kiosk and find out how the replanting programme is going and you might even find ice creams available there!  Motuihe Island has a fascinating history and some World War Two relics can be seen around the island.
Enjoy a leisurely lunch and then it will be time to head back to Bayswater Marina. 

Hauraki Gulf Sample

Day 1

 Pick up your vessel from Bayswater Marina.  Sail out to Home Bay taking in the activities of Auckland harbour on the way.  Many firms and organisations organised picnics here in the early 1900s.  Now at Home Bay there is a camp site. Through the camp site and starting up the track to the east you will find a nice walk up a new bush covered path to the top of the hill.  From here it is a short stroll to a gun emplacement and a little further on to the more extensive area of military buildings.

Day 2

If the wind is in the right direction i.e. south or south west take a leisurely sail to Oneroa Bay on the north side of Waiheke Island where you can enjoy swimming, a walk along the beach or on one of the tracks, or just wander around the village.
If the wind is from the north instead head round to the south side of Waiheke to Rocky Bay.  Whakanewha Regional Park can be accessed from here: this is predominately bush covered, but there is also a large wetland area home to some uncommon wading birds.  At high tide the beach is shallow and warm and ideal for children.

Day 3

Sail to Motuihe Island and stop at Ocean Beach for lunch. Have a swim or a walk ashore.
Return to Bayswater.