Gulf Harbour, near the end of the Whangaparāoa Peninsula, is an easy run from Westhaven: under an hour at cruising speed, a sheltered marina, and pest-free sanctuaries on the doorstep.
Updated October 2026 · By the Daily Boats team
About 16 nautical miles from Westhaven
About 45–50 minutes at 20 knots
An easy day out, with Shakespear and Tiritiri close by
VHF channel 73 or 09 424 6200
Self-service diesel and petrol, any tide
Kotanui Island and the breakwater on the approach
Gulf Harbour Marina sits on the southern side of the Whangaparāoa Peninsula, about 4 km from its tip.
From Westhaven, head out past North Head and up the Rangitoto Channel, then follow the Whangaparāoa Peninsula north. It is about 16 nautical miles, so about 45–50 minutes at a 20-knot cruise. At that speed, sea state matters more than wind direction for comfort, so check the forecast for chop and swell as well as the wind.
The marina is approached from the south and east. Stay in the white sector of the red and white sectored light to keep clear of Kotanui Island to the south-west and the end of the rock breakwater to the east. Inside, follow the red and green lit piles and line up the white triangle leading marks. A shelf extends beyond some pier ends, so keep close to the leads at low tide. Keep under 5 knots and wake-free in the marina.
Off the end of the peninsula, the Whangaparāoa Passage separates the mainland from Tiritiri Matangi Island, about 4 km offshore. It is the usual route north, so check the tidal streams on your chart before going through.
Gulf Harbour has more than 1,000 berths. To book a visitor berth, call the marina office on 09 424 6200, email [email protected] or call the dockmaster on VHF 73. Book ahead in summer and ask about rates when you call.
The self-service fuel dock, opposite E and F piers, has diesel, petrol and water at any state of tide. Plan your fuel for the round trip and keep a reserve. Ashore there are showers, a laundry and wifi, plus a boatyard with travel lifts. The village, about a 10-minute walk away, has a supermarket, cafés, a bakery and a good range of takeaways.
Both sit on the south side of Shakespear Regional Park, next door to the marina. Te Haruhi Bay is a lovely swimming beach inside the park's pest-proof fence, with old wrecks off its western point to explore by dinghy. Okoromai Bay is sheltered in westerlies but very tidal, with mudflats a long way out at low tide.
On the peninsula's northern side, Army Bay has good swimming but is exposed to northerlies and north-westerlies. Save it for settled or southerly weather.
Tiritiri is a pest-free open sanctuary managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC), alive with rare native birds. Private boats are welcome. The wharf is for the ferry and permitted vessels, so anchor off Hobbs Beach on the western side and take the dinghy in. Take your rubbish home, and no fires or barbecues.
The surrounding waters are now the Tiritiri Matangi High Protection Area. No recreational fishing, including shellfish and crayfish, but careful anchoring is fine. More in our Tiritiri Matangi guide.
Further north, south-west of Kawau, Motuora is another pest-free island with walking tracks and kiwi. DOC lists Home Bay (west) and Still Bay (east) as safe anchorages. Bring everything you need, as nothing is for sale there.
Te Hāruhi / Shakespear Regional Park is an open sanctuary and working farm with bush, beaches and views across to Tiritiri, Kawau and Little Barrier. Try the Lookout Track for 360-degree views, or the longer Tiritiri Track or Heritage Trail. Dogs and all other pets are banned in the sanctuary, the park is smokefree, and drones are not allowed.
Before landing on Tiritiri, Motuora or in the sanctuary, check your boat, dinghy and bags for rats, mice, ants and skinks, and seal your food. Pets are not allowed on Hauraki Gulf island reserves. Report pests to DOC on 0800 362 468.
We found no caulerpa rules near Whangaparāoa or Tiritiri at the time of writing, but things change. Check biosecurity.govt.nz/caulerpa before you go, and check your anchor and chain for weed.
Until March 2028, taking shellfish and seaweed is banned along the Whangaparāoa coast, including Okoromai and Te Haruhi bays.
Read the MetService marine forecast and log a trip report with Coastguard on the app, by calling *500 or on VHF. In an emergency, call Maritime Radio on VHF channel 16.
Day 1: head out from Westhaven and berth by lunchtime. Walk to the Shakespear lookout, then dinner in the village.
Day 2: an easy start, refuel and head home.
Saturday: cruise to Gulf Harbour and explore the village and Shakespear.
Sunday: cross to Tiritiri, anchor off Hobbs Beach for a morning with the birds, then head back to Westhaven.
This is a longer trip than a typical Daily day out. Talk to the Daily team before planning it.
Gulf Harbour is also a handy first stop on the way north to Kawau. More in our Destinations.
Daily members boat on Buccaneer 635 HT hardtops kept in their own berths at Westhaven, Pine Harbour and Gulf Harbour, and new members do a sea trial when they join. Daily already has boats based at Gulf Harbour, so members boating from there start right here, close to Shakespear, Tiritiri and the run north.
See how it works, our boats and membership options.
Planning note: distances and motoring times are approximate and assume an average of 20 knots; they vary with the boat, load, sea state and wind. Always check charts, the MetService marine forecast and local notices, including Biosecurity New Zealand's caulerpa rules, before you set out.
Photos (Wikimedia Commons): Gulf Harbour marina by GPS 56, CC BY 2.0; marina village waterfront by Johnragla, CC BY-SA 4.0; Te Haruhi Bay by KazzaMiller, CC BY-SA 4.0; Army Bay by Andy Mitchell, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Daily members boat from Westhaven, Pine Harbour and Gulf Harbour on fully maintained Buccaneer 635 HTs, without the cost of owning one. Plans from $470 a month.