Kawau is a classic run north from Westhaven: far enough to feel like a real trip, close enough to be there in about an hour and a half, with one of the Gulf's best-sheltered harbours waiting at the end.
Updated October 2026 · By the Daily Boats team
About 25 to 29 nautical miles from Westhaven
About 1¼–1½ hours at 20 knots
A full day out, weekends and long weekends
Bon Accord Harbour, on the western side
Mansion House and the Kawau Island Historic Reserve
Strong westerlies, and busy public holidays
Kawau Island sits just off the mainland coast north of Auckland, in Kawau Bay. It is around 25 to 29 nautical miles from Westhaven, depending on where you anchor: about 1¼ to 1½ hours at an average of 20 knots. It has been a favourite with Auckland boaties for generations.
From Westhaven, head out of the Waitematā Harbour and up the Rangitoto Channel, then north along the Whangaparāoa Peninsula. Most boats pass between the end of the peninsula and Tiritiri Matangi Island before crossing to Kawau. Have the chart handy here, as you leave the shelter of the inner harbour.
At 20 knots, sea state matters more than wind direction for comfort, so check the forecast for chop and swell on the open stretches. Plan your fuel for the round trip and keep a reserve.
Tiritiri Matangi is a pest-free wildlife sanctuary, and the waters around it are now a High Protection Area, so no fishing there. Fishing restrictions also apply in the Kawau Bay High Protection Area, introduced in October 2025, so check the Department of Conservation (DOC) map before you put a line over.
Kawau's sheltered anchorages are on its western side. Bon Accord Harbour almost cuts the island in two from the west and is deep, sheltered and accessible from Auckland. Holding is generally good, though strong westerlies can push waves into the harbour, so plan around the wind.
Right inside the harbour entrance, these two bays are the gateway to the historic reserve. They are a good choice in a south-westerly but are exposed to west and north-west winds, so many skippers visit by day and move further in for the night. The beach at Mansion House Bay is ideal for landing a dinghy. The historic wharf is for ferry drop-offs, so leave it clear.
Further into Bon Accord, Schoolhouse Bay is often described as the best anchorage in the harbour, sheltered in most winds with good holding in mud. The catch is that much of it is taken up by local moorings, so you may need to anchor towards the edges.
North Cove is completely landlocked and is regarded as Kawau's safest all-weather anchorage. It is popular and much of the sheltered space is occupied by moorings, so it fills quickly in summer. It is also a lovely spot to explore the upper reaches by dinghy or kayak.
Stockyard Bay, near the northern entrance to Bon Accord, is well sheltered from north to east and has a sandy beach. Christian Bay is a good option in north-westerly conditions. Vivian Bay has a fine sandy beach and is sheltered from the north-east but very exposed to the west, so save it for settled weather.
Most moorings around Kawau are privately owned. Do not pick one up without permission.
The Mansion House is the former home of Sir George Grey, who turned Kawau into a gentleman's estate in the 19th century. It is now part of the Kawau Island Historic Reserve, managed by DOC, and holds an impressive collection of antique furnishings. Opening times vary through the year and it is closed in the middle of winter except for group bookings, so check the DOC website before you go.
Easy tracks lead from the Mansion House through Māori and colonial copper-mining heritage sites. The walk up the Coach Road to the Coppermine Lookout takes about 25 minutes one way, and you can carry on down to the old copper mine in about an hour. There are no rubbish bins in the reserve, so take your rubbish back to the boat, and remember dogs are not allowed on island reserves in the Hauraki Gulf.
On the water, the old shipwreck at Moturekareka Island, just off Kawau, is a popular spot to explore by dinghy.
If you are staying overnight, choose your bay for the overnight wind, not the afternoon breeze. If a westerly is forecast, head deeper into Bon Accord or round to North Cove.
Kawau sees a big influx of boats at the start of public holidays. Leave early to get your pick of anchoring spots.
This invasive seaweed has been found at Bostaquet Bay on Kawau's south coast, and Biosecurity New Zealand has asked boaties to avoid anchoring and fishing there where possible. Wherever you anchor, check your anchor and chain for seaweed before moving, and bin anything you find ashore. Check biosecurity.govt.nz/caulerpa for the latest rules.
Before you leave, check the boat, dinghy and gear for rats, mice, ants and skinks, and pack food in sealed containers.
Use the MetService recreational marine forecast for the Hauraki Gulf, and log a trip report with Coastguard through the Coastguard app, by calling *500, or on VHF. In an emergency, call Maritime Radio on VHF channel 16.
At about 1¼ to 1½ hours each way, Kawau fits into a full day out: anchor in Bon Accord, take the dinghy ashore to Mansion House Bay and walk to the Coppermine Lookout, then head home in the afternoon. If you have longer, these itineraries make the most of it.
Saturday: leave Westhaven in the morning, run out past Rangitoto and up the Whangaparāoa Peninsula, and anchor in Bon Accord Harbour in time for lunch.
Sunday morning: take the dinghy to Mansion House Bay, walk to the Coppermine Lookout, then head home after an early lunch.
Day 1: cruise to Kawau and settle into Bon Accord or North Cove, depending on the wind.
Day 2: explore ashore at the Mansion House, then move round to North Cove or take a look at the wreck at Moturekareka.
Day 3: an easy morning, then head back to Westhaven.
This is a longer trip than a typical Daily day out. Talk to the Daily team before planning it.
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. For Kawau, Gulf Harbour is the closer base, already near the end of the Whangaparāoa Peninsula.
See how it works, our boats, membership options and more Destinations, including Gulf Harbour Marina on the way north.
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): Kawau Island from Tāwharanui by Pseudopanax, public domain; Mansion House by Pseudopanax, public domain; old copper mine by Phillip Capper, CC BY 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.