Bareboat Bay of Islands, New Zealand

Travel Notes

This Travel Notes page provides useful information about the Bay of Islands. From airport procedures to currency exchange it will tell you what to expect to make your vacation smooth and worry free.

• Address & Map
• Arrival & Departure
• General Information
• Banks & Money Exchange
• Activities & Sports
• Cruising Information
• Provisioning (Food & Drink for your boat)
• Health & Safety

Address & Map

Base Manager
Adam Falconer

Address
The Moorings Bay of Islands
Opua
Bay of Islands
New Zealand
 

Hours of Operation
Hours of operation: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, 7 days a week
(closed on Christmas day, December 25th)

Base Facilities
Restaurant, motels, gift shops, dive shops, post office, banks, no cellular phones, car parking, washing machines, showers.  

Base Map

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Arrival & Departure

How to Get There
Auckland Intl Airport to The Moorings Bay of Islands:
3.5 hours by car.
1 hour flight Auckland to Keri Keri airport and 30 minute shuttle ride to Opua Base.
Shuttle cost $60NZD; flight AKL to KKE approximately $200.

Servicing Airlines
Airlines for domestic travel within New Zealand:
Air New Zealand Link: www.airnewzealand.co.nz
Due to the number of flights which we organise, the Moorings can offer some great rates to many destinations. Please make sure you contact your Vacation Planning Specialist before you book your flights.

Customs / Immigration Information
All visitors to New Zealand must carry a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the date you intend to leave the country.
VISA EXEMPTIONS: You do not need a VISA or permit to visit New Zealand if you are:
1. New Zealand Citizen or Resident Permit holder
2. Australian citizen travelling on Australian passport
3. Australian resident with a current Australian resident return visa
4. If you are a citizen of a country which has a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand Visa Waivers. Currently travellers from more than 50 countries do not require a Visitor's Visa for stays less than three months.
You do require:
- A passport that is valid for at least three months after your departure from New Zealand
- An onward or return ticket to a country that you have permission to enter - Sufficient money to support yourself during your stay
- approx. NZ$1000 p/ month p/p
- British citizens and other British passport holders who have evidence of the right to live permanently in the UK may be allowed to stay for up to six months.
5. Visitor's Visa Applications: If your country is not on the visa waiver list or you wish to stay longer than three months you will need to apply for a Visitor's Visa. You can download application forms from the New Zealand Immigration Service website, or contact your nearest New Zealand Embassy.

Airport
Kerikeri Airport

Airport Transfers
Transfers from the airport to the base are not included. Please note the following:
Airport Shuttle - meets all flights into Kerikeri Airport passengers dropped off in Paihia if overnighting prior to charter start or at Opua Base. Pre-booking is not necessary but if large group of people, to ensure they are all transported together we will advise shuttle for private transfer.
Payment made direct to driver. Normal pick-up NZ$18.00 per person(approx.) (includes Tax) Group booking - over four persons - NZ$50 (approx) per vehicle.

Arrival / Departure Procedure
Embarkation: Charters start at 12 Noon or 6 PM (with evening start).
Briefing Times: Boat/chart Briefings are scheduled at: 12:00 noon or for evening starts 9:00 am the following day - 7 days a week.
All head charterers are required to attend the briefings.
Disembarkation: All charters end at 12 noon at which time the boat must be returned and ready for debriefing and checks.

Late Arrival Procedure
You need to advise the base if arriving after office hours. The Base staff will meet you, settle you onboard with a briefing the following day.

Taxes / Departure Tax
NZ$25 departure tax is charged when leaving the country from Auckland or Dunedin; NZ$25 if departing from Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton and Palmerston North. This must be paid directly by every traveller over the age of twelve at the airport and in local currency or by credit card. Some plane tickets may however, have Departure Tax already included in their cost.

Taxi
Taxis are available for transfer from the nearest town, Paihia, to the charter base at Opua This is an approximate traveling time of 10 minutes.
Paihia Taxis: 09 402 7506
Airport Shuttle: 09 407 9515

Car Rental
Nationwide Rental Cars www.nationwiderentals.co.nz
This company's head office is located approximately 40 minutes from the Opua Base and will assist with a one way one day rental for return to Auckland if required, will also collect and/or deliver rental cars to our base.

Other rental car companies: Ocean Rental Cars, Budget Rental Cars, Avis & Hertz. We encourage clients to release their vehicles for the duration of their charter - as they will be required to pay for parking at the Bay of Islands Base.

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General Information

Area: 268,680 sq km
Population: 4,213,418
Capital City: Wellington
Official Languages: English & Maori
Ethnic groups: European, Maori, Asian, Pacific islander
Religion: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Christian, Pentecostal, Baptist
Government: Parliamentary Democracy and a Commonwealth Realm
Industries: food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining
Tipping: Tipping is not the general custom in New Zealand and service charges are not added to accounts by hotels and restaurants. Porters at airports, taxi drivers and hairdressers do not expect to be tipped although you may do so if you wish. In better-class restaurants, it is usual to tip food and drink waiters up to 10 per cent of the bill for good service. At any time, tipping is your choice.
Currency: New Zealand Dollar. All major credit cards are accepted. Visa and MasterCard are the most popular.
Electricity: 230V/50Hz (Australian Plug). The Moorings pier is equipped with 240V power outlets. There is a 12V cigarette lighter outlet by the chart table on the majority of our yachts.
Time: UTC/GMT +12 hours    

Festivals & Holidays
1 January: New Year's Day
31 january: Auckland Anniversary Day
6 February: Waitangi day
25 Octobre: Labor Day
25 December: Christmas Day
26 December: Boxing day

Hotels
Copthorne Waitangi Resort
Paihia Beach Resort and Spa
Chalet Romantica
Aloha Resort
Beachcomber

Restaurants
The range and quality of dining is superb. Be sure to sample New Zealand wine with your meal, even if you don't find time to visit a winery. There are numerous restaurants and cafes in the area; the closest being in Paihia and Russell. A wide range of cuisines and dining styles are offered to suit any palette. Contact details for recommended restaurants and cafes are supplied upon arrival at the Base.
Restaurants are limited in the cruising area after leaving the Opua/Paihia/Russell vicinity.Please visit the following website for information on the many restaurants in the area:
www.dineout.co.nz/ or www.nzinfo.co.nz/dining.shtml

Post Office
Post Office: Post offices open from 9 am -5 pm Monday-Friday, Saturday 9.00 am - 12.00 Noon. Stamps are often available at front desks of hotels and motels and at selected retail outlets.

Internet Connectivity
Available in the Marina; a 5 min walk from the base office.

Cellular Phones
Your cell phone may work in New Zealand, check with your service provider for coverage. Phones are available locally to hire.

Tourist Information Centres
80 The Terrace, Level 16
Wellington New Zealand
Ph: +64 4 917 5400 / Fax: +64 4 915 3817

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Banks & Money Exchange

Banks
Banking Hours: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm/ M – F
Nearest banks to The Moorings base are located in Paihia. Banks represented are as follows:
Bank Of New Zealand; Westpac Trust; Auckland Savings Bank; ANZ.
Overseas currency and traveler's checks are easily changed. Located in Paihia approximately 10 minutes drive from The Moorings offers full banking and foreign exchange services.

Currencies / Money Exchange
New Zealand currency: decimal with the dollar as the basic unit (100 cents equals one dollar). Notes come in $100, $50, $20, $10, and $5 denominations. Coins come in 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1, and $2 denominations.
Exchange Rate valid as of: 21/8/2009
€1 =2.10 NZ Dollars
£1 =2.45 NZ Dollars
US$1 = 1.49 NZ Dollars

Travelers Cheques: You should cash travellers' cheques at banks or larger hotels, as it may be difficult elsewhere. Please note that some banks may charge a fee for cashing travellers' cheques.
Accepted Forms of Payment: Visa, MasterCard, American Express are accepted at our base and by the local shops and restaurants.

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Activities & Sports

Fishing
No permits required. However there are regulations governing the fishing and collection of shellfish. All fish caught can be eaten. Fish, shellfish and crayfish (lobster) are always available but there are closed seasons for some. There are inspectors who have the right to board the vessel to ensure that the law is not broken.
Fishing Equipment: Available for hire from Bay Beach Hire in Paihia, phone +64 9 4027905. Also, you are able to buy cheaply, fishing lines (trolling), etc locally. Serious fishermen should bring their own gear.
Fishing Charters - The Bay of Islands is one of the world's favorite game fishing spots. There are many day charter sports fishing boats available for hire, some will rendezvous with guests.

Snorkeling or Diving
Paihia Dive
Tel: 64-9-402-7551 Fax: 64-9-402-7110
E-mail: Paihiadive@xtra.co.nz.
They offer rendezvous dives with boats at the Cavallis for the Rainbow Warrior Wreck Dive and around the local Bay of Islands area. This is for certified divers only. They have a variety of packages to offer. Dive equipment can be rented through this company. You are to make personal contact with the Dive Shop in Paihia prior to embarking on your charter.
Aqua Action
Tel: 64-9-434 3867/ NZ0800 689 222 Fax: 64-9-434-3884
E-mail: www.divelognz.com/aquaaction
Aqua Action - works from Tutukaka Marina - clients could overnight at the marina and join day dive. This company works in tandem with Paihai Dive, highly professional, with retail shop. Dive the Poor Knights a marine sanctuary off Tutukaka coastline, south of Bay of Islands.

Water Sports
Kayaks can be added to your charter contract.

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Cruising Information

Marina Information
Local Dockage Facilities
The Moorings dock is located on the port side of the Opua Wharf. Should charterers require more fuel during their charter this can be done at the Moorings dock Moorings' yachts are equipped a 12vlt refrigeration system.

Marinas
Click here for a list of marinas. An updated list of marinas is included in the cruise folder handed to charterers upon arrival.

Moorings
The Base has moorings available at Opua if required. All moorings in the cruising area are private and must not be used.

Tax/Cruising Permits
Cruising permits are not required in New Zealand.

Electricity Information
Power used in New Zealand is 230 volt.
The New Zealand three-pin power outlet is different from that in some countries so you will need an adaptor.
If your appliances are 110V, check if there is an 110/240V switch. If not, you will need a voltage converter.
Universal outlets for 240V or 110V shavers are usually found in leading hotels.
Standard universal adapters will comply with the New Zealand system.
Although shore power is not available, all the Moorings yachts are equipped with 12-volt outlets.

Sailing Area Restrictions
Restricted Zones
You will be told about these in your briefing. There are only two in our whole cruising area.

Cruising Information
In all New Zealand waters, the International A system is used and not the B system that is used in American and Caribbean waters. Leaving the harbour, red beacons will be on Starboard and green beacons on Port (the opposite to the B system). You will also find yellow and black beacons called "Cardinals" and "Isolated Danger Markers" that don't exist in the B system. Please consult the guide "Royal Akarana Coastal Cruising Guide" on board.
 
Where is the Cruising area?
150 miles of cruising waters The cruising area covers a six hour sail from the Bay of Islands north to Whangaroa Harbour passing by the Cavalli Islands. Heading south from the Bay of Islands you are able to cruise to Whangamumu Harbour continuing south to the Hauraki Gulf, Auckland. Giving you approximately 150 miles of cruising area. To take the option of cruising the Bay of Islands to Auckland a minimum of 7 days cruising is required. If the option is to drop off the boat in Auckland there is a relocation fee charged.

What is it like?
The Bay of Islands Maritime Park. Is the beginning of the journey into New Zealand waters. The sheltered waters and easy sailing allows visitors to use this area as their own huge playground. Includes access to all the islands, their walks and beaches. Numerous, sheltered and safe anchorages are everywhere. No sitting off an anchorage for miles here, looking towards the shoreline! deep enough for the biggest of boats to anchor in.

Easy cruising, up and down the coast - if the weather is right! Approximately six hours cruising north visit Whangaroa Harbour which is regarded as one of The Most Beautiful Harbour in the area with sheltered and enclosed anchorages full of history. Sail into the Cavalli Islands for lunch or a spot of diving or fishing on the way. Cruising south there are safe harbours along the coast to the Hauraki Gulf, where you will find beautiful islands and anchorages dotted around the area.

Interesting Sites
Please visit the Itinerary Page for more of the best places to visit on your trip. While you are in the Bay of Islands take the opportunity to visit these other cultural attractions.

Scenic Flights: Spectacular aero plane or helicopter scenic flights around the Bay Of Islands region as well as charter flights to any destination within New Zealand are available from Paihia.
Walking Tracks: Walking tracks along much of the coastline and many of the islands in the cruising area are maintained by the Department of Conservation. Please note: many of the islands in the cruising grounds are partially privately owned; we ask charterers to respect boundaries and signs.

Museums and Historical Buildings:
James Cook Museum
Russell Pompalier House
Russell St. Pauls Church
Paihia Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Waitangi Vintage

Whales: November through December and April through May, some humpback whales and Orca are sighted very close inshore on their way to breed in the southern oceans.

Dolphins: Your cruising area is where many pods of dolphins of different species are seen. It is not recommended to swim with the dolphins other than using the 'dolphin watch' companies operating from the area.

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Provisioning

Moorings Provisioning
If you don't want to spend your holiday in supermarkets or buying food, Moorings offers a fantastic range of Food and Drinks packages which can be pre-ordered and will be on your boat when you arrive.

Supermarkets
There are a couple of supermarkets within a 5 to 10 minute taxi ride from the base.

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Health & Safety

Travel Insurance
Moorings offers 'Charter Care' which is a comprehensive travel insurance scheme for your complete peace of mind. If you have your own travel insurance, please make sure that it covers all of the destinations and activities of your Moorings vacation.

Vaccination and Immunization Information
New Zealand is generally risk-free of contagious disease.
At time of publication, an International Vaccination Certificate is not mandatory

Clients wanting more information on vaccinations and immunizations should contact:
The Centers for Disease Control's International Travelers' Hotline in the USA at 404-332-4559.
Detailed traveler's advice on traveling abroad can also be found at www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm. This website is in English.
For Americans, useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page or autofax: (202) 647-3000.

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