Jump to content

Houhora?


Recommended Posts

Anyone past a keel into Houhora? Looks very narrow and like all good anchorage full of moorings so hoping some knowledgeable folk who have anchored there might be able to pass on some advice Please. Many thanks.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Great place, pick your tide for going into, though, current runs fairly fast, a reasonably significant rock near the entry channel, shown on chart, the channel is well marked and lit ( follow to port up to the moorings. I generally contact the harbour master and he has pointed me to a free (available) mooring, never had to pay, but have left a couple of bottles of wine as appreciation.  There is probably a new HM since I was last there. Good 4 square, fishing club, etc.  recommended.

Link to post
Share on other sites

We went in for a couple of days in April. Got in no problem at low tide and we draw 1.9 m and then anchored off the boat ramp/upper wharf. Not much room, you are amongst the moorings, and lots of current.

Outside, Hohoura Bay is not to be missed (and a puff up the hill to old Pa site with views forever)

Link to post
Share on other sites

Charts show good depth, 7m in places but its the old story again of no where to drop the pic because of moorings everywhere? A bit like Whangarei Harbour. All the sheltered areas in a southerly full of moorings, mostly empty and covered in weed obviously not being used. Northland appears to not have a policy on where moorings can go or leaving areas to anchor in? Anyhow, glad to know moorings are available. Thanks too for the good advice.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Very good fishing around Cape Rienga, once upon a time we anchored close to the light, mainly to keep clear of the 5 or 6 "large" trawlers that were coming in as close as 250m, they fished all night, gone by daylight. Also good out at the 3 kings, weather permitting, can get very rough!!

If you overnight at Waikuku beach and cross early you can get well down the coast the next day, especially with your speedboat! if you are thinking of poking your bow into the Kaipara 1 to 1-1/2 m swell is OK, not much more, (less is better) 1/2 tide onwards, there are some shallowish points at the entrance to the channel, but they are quite visible, (1/2 a mile or so ) good depth once you are across then 5 miles +  - parallel to the beach,  watch for what are locally known as sweepers, they come in 3's and are quite steep, they will catch you on the beam if you don't turn into them, hobby horse over them, back on course and watch for the next set. By memory we rode 3 sets of them, until we turned to port past the lighthouse, had 11 knots under the keel! strong current. I believe the charts have just been updated, stick to the channels and you shouldn't have a problem, to Hellensville or Whakapirau, Ruawai, probably OK for Dargaville as well, (havn't been)  big ships used to venture up there. Use your sounder like a good dog, sniff  sniff the bottom.

Link to post
Share on other sites

We draw 2.7m and were up there in March.  The channel's narrow but deep enough as long as you hold your breath in a couple of spots.  We tried to anchor upstream from the wharf to not be in anyone's way but too many moorings and bit dicey on the depth so came back and anchored in the pool off the wharf hoping we weren't going to be a nuisance there.  A big fishing boat came right up beside us and we prepared to receive an earful but he offered us his mooring while he was away for a couple of nights and said we were fine where we were anyway.  Nice people up there.

There's not heaps of room so probably depends on how many boats go in there at the time.  Shallower draft boats have a few more options.

Link to post
Share on other sites

We go there most years - Houhora is a great place.

Usually anchor just past the the little island on the right going in. There is plenty of water for 1 or 2 boats just out of the channel. Very sheltered. We draw 2.1 but 2.5 or so would be fine probably even 3m draft. The first left hand sharp corner when going further up the harbour is a little shallow at dead low but we haven't touched. The rest of the way up to the wharf is deep as. Diesel and water available with the grocery store 5min walk. The game fish club is great also. As mentioned it is likely a mooring will be available unless there is a fishing comp on.

There are a couple of nice bays just north of the harbour in settled weather and another favourite for us is Ranganu harbour. Great fishing in the area and good anchorage just past Rangiputa above and close to rocks showing on port side. In sw winds off the little township on the other side of the entrance is ok too. Plenty of depth here.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...