Opua Marina
Bay of Islands, New Zealand
Opua, the Gateway to New Zealand, is located just 17 miles from Cape Brett - the entrance to the famous Bay of Islands.
Opua Marina is located in the beautiful Bay of Islands at the south end of the Veronica channel. It is an easy approach any time of day or night and the customs berth on the outer breakwater of the marina is the primary customs port of entry to New Zealand. It is a full service marina with 250 berths, 35 swing moorings and 14 pile moorings.
It is the first Port of Entry for overseas vessels into New Zealand's waters and a Customs and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) Place of First Arrival. Many visitors spend their time in New Zealand cruising the 144 islands in the area. There is always a sheltered and secluded bay to explore and relax in while fishing or diving for dinner.
It’s just so nice here that more than one offshore visitor has decided to stay in Opua even when they have made a reservation and paid a deposit in another marina. Opua is often called "home" - and it really does feel like home. The Marina staff and local businesses enjoy their jobs, love where they live and share that enthusiasm with smiles on their faces and swagger in their walk. Come and see what it's all about.
The quarantine berth is located at the northern end of the outer breakwater at Opua Marina. All vessels must clear MAF and New Zealand Customs before disembarking.
Our state of the art floating toilet is also located here for your convenience - please use it as Opua is a No Discharge area.
Arriving from overseas, you will need to arrange for Customs and Immigration clearance before disembarking, the following radio frequencies are available:
| Opua Offshore Communications SSB Sked Times: |
||
| 4417 | 0700 - 0715 | |
| 4429 | 0730 - 0800 | 1900 - 1930 |
| 6516 | 0715 - 0730 | 1930 - 2000 |
| 13101 | 0800 - 0830 | 1600 - 1630 |
| VHF 16 | 0700 - 2000 | |
| Des Renner - email: opuaoffshore@xtra.co.nz | ||
Opua Offshore Communications and Russell Radio are both run on a voluntary basis and donations for their excellent services can be made at the Marina Office for both local and offshore passages.
| Russell Radio SSB Sked Times: | |
| 4417 | 1900 - 1930 |
| 4445 | 1830 - 1900 |
| 6516 | 1800 - 1830 |
| 13101 | 1630 - 1730 |
| Russell Radio local: | |
| VHF 16 | Listening |
| VHF 63 | Working |
| VHF 03 | Commercial |
| web: www.russellradio.org.nz email: russellradio@clear.net.nz |
|
| Russell radio broadcasts local weather reports on Channel 63 at: 0800, 0930, 1330 and 17.50 (New Zealand Time) | |
Gary Burton from NZ Customs Service can be contacted by phone on 029-6021 669, or by VHF Channel 16 or 14.
For information on customs formalities visit:
New Zealand Customs Service
Customs Fact sheet >>>
Mike Cartwright from MAF Quarantine Service can be contacted by phone on 029-909 5504.
For information on quarantine requirements visit:
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand
Clearance Fact Sheet >>>
Far North Holdings Ltd, the parent company of Opua Marina, is proud to sponsor all costs provided to overseas vessels clearing into Opua. This includes the disposal of waste, quarantine and customs support and providing the quarantine and customs area on the inside on the northern end of the breakwater.
Once your vessel is secure and any Customs and MAF formalities have been carried out, we welcome you to join us at the Marina Office to complete a short rental form and to get acquainted. Call the Marina on VHF 12 and we can arrange a berth for you.
The Marina staff will do all they can to ensure you have a memorable stay in New Zealand [and don't forget to bring your sense of humour !]
