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Greater Hauraki Gulf - Snorkelling, beauty spots.


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Hi Team. Just planning our summer sailing after many years away, now with a significantly better boat (Ross 830) and greater range than the 19.5' and 23' T/Sailers we used to have, many years ago.

For an older, but young at heart family with a 6 year old girl.

We did a quick day cruise to Tiri Tiri the other weekend and I shared my first snorkel with daughter which we both loved (a long held dream come true!)

So Im looking for favourite snorkelling spots and other bays of interest, visiting, laying up in etc. Places we might see or get to in a 1 week (maybe 2 week) period over summer.

Anyone care to share :)

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For snorkelling in the inner Gulf  Tiri and Motuora are great plus the whole of the Kawau Bay Mahurangi area is such a top spot for the kids, trips to Warkworth, great beaches, the boating club for a drink,  but generally the further away from AK's Papa cliffs the better. Barrier is also great but just pick your weather window if you intend a trip around the back, it can get mighty lumpy around the ends which may make your significant other review the boating experience :)  

Weve had a trip back from Barrier and stopped at Motuora and been in crystal clear blue water, very scenic.

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1 hour ago, ex TL systems said:

Western coromandel area

Agree.  Whanganui Island on the harbour side is glorious, and the string of Islands up that coast presents beaches, coves, rock outcrops for diving and snorkeling, and a different feel to the rest of the gulf.

We day-trip Rotoroa Island frequently.  Great anchoring in almost all conditions, interesting and scenic walks around the island, choices for beaches and a variety of sea floor to snorkel - sand on the western beaches, rock and kelp on the eastern side. Pakatoa is similar, and both are close enough to Man O War Bay if you want to splash out on the catering.

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On 16/11/2021 at 8:07 AM, Psyche said:

" but generally the further away from AK's Papa cliffs the better"

The harder old rocks definitely make for better snorkelling than the Waitemata sand and mud stone. These old rocks are found on north and east sides of Motutapu, Rakino, Waiheke, Kawau, end of Tawharanui, Matheson's bay to Goat Island. Also Motuora and Moturekareka have some interesting spots.

I reckon all of those can be worth a look, but the water can be murky depending on the wind directions. 

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You dont have to go far, the Gulf is really under rated, there are so many great spots you can get to in just a few hours. I have a 6 year old daughter and 2 year old daughter and they find interest in almost everything on our sailing trips, it might be the crabs or star fish ashore, the ducks that swim out to meet you (Mahurangi) or swimming from the boat. We sail from Gulf Harbour Marina and our favourite spots are Tiri Tiri, Mahurangi, Motutapu (very underrated, this island has alot to offer) Kauwau, Motorekareka and the bottom end of Waiheke.

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https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/auckland/cape-rodney-marine-reserve-brochure.pdf

 

Visitors are encouraged to enjoy boating, swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, and picnicking in the marine reserve. However, please note that a number of activities are prohibited or restricted to protect the area’s marine life and habitats. The following are offences under the Marine Reserves Act: • Fishing of any kind • Taking or disturbing any marine life, including shellfish and seaweeds • Taking of any part of the sea floor, including rocks and shells • Feeding the fish, as this disturbs their natural behaviour Exceeding 5 knots in a boat or on a jet ski within 200 m of the mainland, Goat Island or a dive flag, or within 50 m of a boat or person in the water, is an offence under the Maritime Transport Act

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Boating in the reserve There is no public boat launching facility in the marine reserve. The nearest boat launching ramp is in Omaha Cove, just below the township of Leigh. Boats are permitted to navigate and anchor carefully in the reserve, but please remember that: • Dragging anchors can damage marine life. • There are a lot of swimmers, divers and snorkelers in the reserve – take care. • Fishing rods should be stowed out of sight when travelling or anchored in the marine reserve.

 

Would want a windless day,no swell,unsure of bottom but thinking fine sand.Be more inclinded to drive up and go from shore,done it once. I believe its not as well stocked as use to be.Due to lack of food and share numbers have moved fish on.Been a bit of poaching too.

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There are currently biosecurity rules in place making it illegal to fish from three harbours on Aotea Great Barrier Island. to prevent the spread of the invasive seaweed pest Caulerpa brachypus.
The requirements are set out in a Controlled Area Notice (CAN). As well as banning the take of any marine life (fish, shellfish, seaweed, crays), if you anchor in these harbours, you’ll need a permit from Biosecurity New Zealand to move on.
As partners in the response, Ngāti Rehua Ngāti Wai ki Aotea have placed a rāhui over the same areas.
The legal controls are in place until Thursday, 30 June 2022.
For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/31ycCZ1
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4 hours ago, harrytom said:

There are currently biosecurity rules in place making it illegal to fish from three harbours on Aotea Great Barrier Island. to prevent the spread of the invasive seaweed pest Caulerpa brachypus.

That's a problem - we were just starting to plan a trip to the Barrier for February.  Now the major harbours on the inside of the western side are potentially out of bounds for anchoring

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Get yourself a copy of 'The Royal Akarana Yacht Club Coastal Cruising Handbook'.

The bible. Really.

Buy from any reputable (that may be a barrier :)  ) marine shop, or there's usually second hand copies on Trade Me.

Hours of fab reading and really good, safe info on anchorages etc.

 

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