Behind a narrow, rocky entrance on Northland's east coast, Tutukaka is the closest marina to the Poor Knights Islands and a lovely stop on the way to the Bay of Islands.
Updated October 2026 · By the YachtShare team, Westhaven Marina
Tutukaka is a small harbour north-east of Whangārei, between Ngunguru and Matapouri, and the main base for dive trips to the Poor Knights.
From Westhaven, head up the Rangitoto Channel, along the Whangaparāoa Peninsula, past Kawau and round Cape Rodney. Cross Bream Bay, pass Bream Head and carry on north. It is about 80 nm, or about 10 hours at 8 knots, so most crews break it at Kawau or Marsden Cove.
North of Cape Rodney is open-coast sailing with limited shelter. Choose a settled window, check the MetService marine forecasts for the Hauraki Gulf and Northland's east coast, and watch the swell as closely as the wind.
The entrance is only about 0.1 nm wide, between the head and Red Rock. In strong easterlies, swell in the entrance can set boats onto Red Rock, so steer to the leading lights and don't drift towards it. The marina has added a starboard channel buoy on the outer approach to stop boats following the leads too close to the northern shore.
Inside, the marina asks vessels drawing more than 1.8 m to follow its tide guidance for the harbour channel around low tide. 'Zen', our Dufour 520, draws 2.2 m, so time your arrival on Zen to avoid low water. Whichever yacht you're on, check its draught and the tide before you come in.
To book a visitor berth, use the online form on the marina's website or phone 09 434 3441 (call if booking after 4.30pm or at weekends). The marina asks for insurance details and proof of a clean hull. Every YachtShare yacht is fully insured: a copy of the insurance documents is on board, or you can request one from our management team.
Outer harbour: you can anchor south of Philip Island on a mud bottom. Pacific Bay is mostly moorings, and the northern cove has poor holding on gravel. In strong easterlies, the outer anchorages get a persistent swell, so take a marina berth instead.
The Poor Knights: about 12 nm offshore (about 1.5 hours each way at 8 knots), the islands make a superb day sail in settled weather. The marine reserve extends 800 m around the islands, and its rules are strict:
Or keep going: Cape Brett is around 30 nm north (about 4 hours at 8 knots), and then the Bay of Islands opens up. Bookings run from one to 14 days.
Tutukaka is within the fleet's survey limits under our Maritime NZ MOSS certification. The larger yachts are more comfortable on the open-coast legs: the Beneteau Oceanis 41 'Schonica', Dufour 412 'Incognito', Dufour 520 'Zen' or the Orana 44 catamaran 'The Bach'. The J/112e 'Oro Rosa' suits an experienced crew. Fuel is extra, and our 24-hour support line is always there. See the fleet, how it works, membership options and more sailing guides.
Planning note: distances and times are approximate, calculated at an average of 8 knots. Always check current charts, the marine forecast and local notices, including biosecurity and marine reserve rules, before you set out.
YachtShare members have sailed from Westhaven since 1998. Plans start from $880/month + GST.
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