Sailing up the coast from Auckland to the Bay of Islands

Leg by leg

1. Westhaven to Kawau Island – about 27 nm

About 3½ hours at 8 knots. Bon Accord Harbour is the usual first night; North Cove is Kawau's most sheltered spot, though crowded with moorings. Prefer a marina? Stop at Gulf Harbour instead: about 17 nm (2 hours), then about 15 nm (2 hours) on to Kawau. Gulf Harbour has 24/7 self-service fuel. More in our Kawau guide.

2. Kawau to Whangārei Heads – about 40 nm

About 5 hours at 8 knots, past Cape Rodney and across Bream Bay. It's the longest stretch with no anchorages, so leave early on a settled forecast. Urquharts Bay, just inside the heads, is sheltered in everything except west to north-west winds and gets busy in summer. Smugglers Bay outside the entrance is a lovely lunch stop but is open to the south and catches ground swell. Marsden Cove Marina (about 43 nm from Kawau, 5½ hours) has 24/7 diesel, the only fuel dock in Whangārei Harbour. If the weather turns, Whangārei Harbour is your refuge.

3. Whangārei Heads to Tutukaka – about 20 nm

About 2½ hours at 8 knots. Tutukaka Marina is calm behind its breakwater and has 24-hour diesel. In strong easterlies, though, a heavy swell can run in the narrow entrance. Book a berth in summer.

4. Tutukaka to Whangaruru and Whangamumu – about 20 nm + 10 nm

Tutukaka to Whangaruru Harbour is about 20 nm (2½ hours at 8 knots). Whangaruru is a very sheltered harbour. Whangamumu Harbour is about 10 nm further (1¼ hours), with an old whaling station ashore. Its inner basin is snug in all winds except strong north-easterlies, when swell sets in.

5. Round Cape Brett to Opua – about 21 nm

About 2¾ hours at 8 knots. Cape Brett is about 7 nm from Whangamumu. Give it and Piercy Island (Motukokako) a wide berth, as tidal streams run strongly and gusts come off the cliffs. Once you're round, Deep Water Cove is sheltered in easterlies, though it surges when a big swell is running. Then head up to Opua, where Bay of Islands Marina has 24/7 self-service diesel. For Opua, Russell and the islands, see our Bay of Islands guide.

Biosecurity: check before you go

Northland hull rules. Northland Regional Council requires no more than light fouling when you enter Northland or move between its harbours and popular anchorages. That means a slime layer, barnacles, and small patches of other growth (up to 100 mm across) covering less than 5% of the hull and niche areas. YachtShare cleans hulls as part of scheduled maintenance, which helps, but always check the hull yourself before heading north.

Exotic caulerpa. Biosecurity New Zealand has controlled areas in Te Rāwhiti Inlet in the Bay of Islands, and in the Gulf at Aotea Great Barrier, Hauturu Little Barrier and parts of Waiheke. In red zones you can't anchor except in an emergency. In yellow zones you must check and clean your anchor and chain before moving on. Te Rāwhiti also has a fishing ban. Zones change, so check biosecurity.govt.nz/caulerpa-rules before you leave. Report sightings on 0800 80 99 66.

Pest-free islands. Before you leave Auckland, follow Pest Free Hauraki Gulf: check, clean and close (no rodents, no soil or seeds, bags zipped). In the bay, Project Island Song's seven eastern islands, including Urupukapuka and Moturua, have been pest-free since 2009. Check your boat and gear before going ashore.

Suggested itineraries

Relaxed 14 days (about 270 nm, 33¾ hours at 8 knots)

• Day 1: Westhaven–Kawau, 27 nm (about 3½ hours)
• Day 2: to Whangārei Heads, 40 nm (about 5 hours)
• Day 3: to Tutukaka, 20 nm (about 2½ hours)
• Day 4: to Whangaruru, 20 nm (about 2½ hours)
• Day 5: to Whangamumu, 10 nm (about 1¼ hours)
• Day 6: round Cape Brett to Opua, 21 nm (about 2¾ hours)
• Days 7–9: Bay of Islands
• Day 10: Opua–Tutukaka, 45 nm (about 5¾ hours)
• Days 11–13: Whangārei Heads 20 nm, Kawau 40 nm, Westhaven 27 nm (about 2½, 5 and 3½ hours)
• Day 14: spare weather day

Faster 10 days (about 262 nm, 32¾ hours at 8 knots)

• Days 1–4 north: Kawau 27 nm, Tutukaka 60 nm, Whangamumu 22 nm, Opua 21 nm (about 3½, 7½, 2¾ and 2¾ hours)
• Days 5–6: Bay of Islands
• Days 7–9 south: Tutukaka 45 nm, Kawau 60 nm, Westhaven 27 nm (about 5¾, 7½ and 3½ hours)
• Day 10: spare weather day

Planning note: all distances and times are approximate, calculated at an average of 8 knots. Always check current charts, forecasts and local notices, and be ready to change your plans for the weather.