An open bird sanctuary off the end of the Whangaparāoa Peninsula, about 17 nautical miles from Westhaven. Takahē, kōkako and tīeke, a historic lighthouse and a clear-water anchorage for a day stop. Here's how to plan your visit.
Updated October 2026 · By the YachtShare team, Westhaven Marina
Tiritiri Matangi is a 220-hectare scientific reserve run as an open sanctuary by the Department of Conservation (DOC) with the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi. Between 1984 and 1994, volunteers planted around 250,000 to 300,000 trees on what had been farmland. Today it's one of the best places in New Zealand to see rare native birds up close.
From Westhaven, head east past North Head, then north up the Rangitoto Channel, staying outside the buoyed shipping channel. Carry on north past Rangitoto and Whangaparāoa Head, then through the Tiritiri Channel, between the head and the island, to Hobbs Beach. It's about 17 nautical miles, so roughly 2 hours 10 minutes at 8 knots. Upwind or against the tide, allow three hours or more.
Big ships use the Rangitoto Channel, so keep a good lookout and listen on VHF. Expect a strong tidal stream through the Tiritiri Channel, especially at mid-tide. From Gulf Harbour Marina it's only about 5 nautical miles to the island.
DOC says the best landing is at Hobbs Beach, a white-sand beach on the western side of the island with clear water for swimming and snorkelling. Boats usually anchor off it in about 7 metres.
Hobbs Beach is only comfortable in easterly winds or light, settled weather. It's open from the north-west round to the south-west, and local sailors say there's no fully sheltered anchorage anywhere around the island. Overnight it is often rolly, so treat Tiritiri as a day stop and plan to move on to a safer anchorage, such as Gulf Harbour or Kawau, for the night. Holding is reported to be patchy in places, so make sure the anchor is well set.
The wharf, just south of Hobbs Beach, is for the ferry and other permitted vessels. Don't tie up there. Anchor off and land by dinghy on Hobbs Beach instead. On busy summer days the bay can fill up with boats. On 'Zen', which draws 2.2 metres, allow plenty of room for swing and tide. Keep to 5 knots within 200 metres of the shore.
Pull the dinghy up on Hobbs Beach. It's about 600 metres along the coast to the wharf, then around a kilometre uphill to the visitor centre and lighthouse. Rangers live on the island.
There are toilets at the wharf, Hobbs Beach, the lighthouse and Spaghetti Junction. The visitor centre shop sells gifts and cold drinks only, and there are no rubbish bins, so bring food, water, sunhats and a rubbish bag, and take everything home.
DOC track times, one way:
A Wattle Track loop takes about an hour, and a loop of the whole island 3–4 hours. Ferry visitors arrive Wednesday to Sunday and mostly head up the Wattle Track, so start on the Kawerau Track or Ridge Road for quieter birdwatching.
There's no camping on the island. DOC runs a small bunkhouse near the lighthouse with 15 bunks, which must be booked. If you arrive by your own boat, contact the rangers at least two days beforehand, and avoid Mondays and Tuesdays, when a ranger may not be available. YachtShare yachts must never be left unattended overnight, so the bunkhouse only works if someone stays aboard.
Kiore (Polynesian rats) were removed in 1993, and since then the island has been free of animal pests. Birds and other species brought here include tīeke (saddleback) in 1984, takahē in 1991, toutouwai (North Island robin) in 1992, little spotted kiwi in 1993, hihi (stitchbird) in 1995, kōkako in 1997, and tuatara in 2003. The kiwi only come out at night, but takahē often graze near the lighthouse.
The Hobbs family farmed the island from 1863 to 1971. The cast-iron lighthouse was first lit on 1 January 1865 and is the oldest lighthouse still operating in New Zealand.
YachtShare bookings run from one to 14 days, so a weekend up the coast fits easily. See our guides to Kawau Island and Gulf Harbour Marina.
All of them. Tiritiri is within the fleet's survey limits under our Maritime NZ MOSS certification. It's more exposed than the inner Gulf, so pick your weather. '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 Motuihe Island and Rākino 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 the High Protection Area rules, before you set out. Hero photo: Tiritiri Matangi wharf by DrewHeath, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped.
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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