A small, quiet island just past Motutapu, about 12 nautical miles from Westhaven. Sandy bays, no shops and very few people. Here's how to plan your visit.
Updated October 2026 · By the YachtShare team, Westhaven Marina
Rākino is only about 1.5 square kilometres, north-east of Motutapu in the inner Hauraki Gulf. Around 20 people live there year-round, with weekenders in about 76 homes. There's no grid power, and most of the island is privately owned.
From Westhaven, head out past North Head and up the Rangitoto Channel. Then turn east along the north side of Rangitoto and Motutapu to Rākino. It is about 12 nautical miles to Woody Bay, so roughly 1½ hours at 8 knots. Going via the Motuihe Channel to Sandy Bay is about 13 nautical miles. Allow two hours or more in real conditions.
The northern route crosses the Rangitoto and Motutapu High Protection Area. You can sail through, but you can't fish or take anything. Watch for ferries and shipping in the channel.
On the island's north-west side, Woody Bay is the classic Rākino anchorage. Cruising notes describe it as good in all wind directions except westerlies, with good holding in sand. It's open to westerly winds and can get north-easterly swell. A sandy beach and a road to the top of the island make it easy to get ashore.
Just south of Woody Bay, West Bay has rock pools and kingfisher nests. At low tide you can walk between the two.
At the southern end of the island. The public wharf is at the south end of Sandy Bay, where the passenger ferry from downtown Auckland berths. Home Bay has a barge ramp and the historic homes of Sir George Grey and the Sanford family. Space at the wharf is limited, so keep well clear when the ferry is due.
A smaller bay on the east coast, reached on foot by the short Ivan's Track.
Sandy, Woody and Home bays all have private moorings. Don't pick one up unless you have the owner's permission. On 'Zen', which draws 2.2 metres, anchor further out than the smaller yachts and allow for the tide. Keep to 5 knots within 200 metres of the shore.
About 2 nautical miles north-east of Rākino, the Noises are a group of small, privately owned islands. You may land only on the main island, Ōtata. The shore is rocky, there are no facilities, and anchoring is only possible in fine weather.
The Noises have been a High Protection Area since October 2025. No fishing or taking anything, and anchor with care. The boundary starts a short way north-east of Rākino, so check the DOC map before you drop a line.
DOC lists Islington Bay, between Rangitoto and Motutapu, and Home Bay on Motutapu as safe anchorages. Home Bay has toilets and a DOC campsite. Both make good fallbacks. Dogs are banned from Rangitoto and Motutapu, including the beaches.
There's no shop on Rākino, so come well provisioned. Woody's Pizzeria opens over summer and on weekends, but that's it. There's no camping either.
Most land is private, so keep to roads and tracks. The walks are short:
Rākino has been pest-free since rats were eradicated in 2002. Auckland Council's dog rules apply: on a lead on roads, no dogs on DOC land, and summer daytime limits on beaches. It's simplest to leave pets at home.
YachtShare bookings run from one to 14 days, so a weekend here fits easily. If a yacht is unbooked, members can ask management for a free freebie day after midday, and Rākino is close enough for one.
All of them. Rākino is well within the fleet's survey limits under our Maritime NZ MOSS certification. 'Thin Air' (Beneteau Oceanis 323), 'Island Breeze' (Bavaria 32) and 'Mirabelle' (Beneteau Oceanis 34) suit couples. 'Oro Rosa' (J/112e) is quick. For groups, try 'Schonica' (Beneteau Oceanis 41), 'Incognito' (Dufour 412), 'Zen' (Dufour 520) or 'The Bach', our Fountaine Pajot Orana 44 catamaran. See the whole fleet.
Every yacht is fully insured, hull cleaning is part of scheduled maintenance, and members have a 24-hour support line. See our Westhaven Marina guide and more sailing guides, including Waiheke Island.
Planning note: distances and sailing times are approximate and based on an average of 8 knots. Always check current charts, the marine forecast, tide times and local notices, including fishing rules, before you set out.
YachtShare members sail from Westhaven on a fully maintained yacht, without the cost of owning one. Plans start from $880/month + GST, with fuel extra.
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