April 2013
The Hauraki Gulf is an island-filled area off the central north island coast of New Zealand. It’s partly enclosed by the long arm of the Coromandel Peninsula to the east, and Great Barrier Island just above that. To the south is the base of the Coromandel, and to the west is mainland New Zealand. It’s open to the north, but since that’s not the predominant wind or swell direction here, it remains somewhat protected.
The city of Auckland sits right in the middle of this on the main shore and is the base of operations for the ferries, tour boats, and recreational boats that pass through the area.
Like the Bay of Islands to the north, the Hauraki Gulf is a cruising Mecca, full of islands and anchorages. If I had to compare the two areas, I’d say the Hauraki Gulf islands are less sweetly pretty, with fewer of those perfect white sand, pohutukawa-lined beaches, and more rugged with pine forests and rocky coves.
The Hauraki Gulf also has a couple of large, populated islands, including Waiheke Island with its wineries, beaches, and residences (permanent and vacation), and Kawau Island which is one of a kind. In all, while the Hauraki Gulf islands are less sweetly pretty than the islands in the Bay of Islands, they are every bit as beautiful.
The way I see it, the Hauraki Gulf can be divided into a northern area and a southern area by the Whangaparaoa Peninsula which sticks straight out from the mainland. The two areas have a somewhat different feeling as the north area is more difficult to reach and off the beaten path.
We did most of our cruising in the southern part of the Hauraki Gulf this year but wished we’d had more time to spend in the north. As always weather was a factor, and this time we had to leave earlier than planned. (We’d end up doing more of the north in subsequent years.)-Cyndi
