Leaderboard

I just fill the bilge with diesel and swear a whole lot, but each to their own...

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.

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.