Hauraki Gulf Islands To Visit on Your Boat

Auckland is blessed with numerous picturesque islands dotted around the Hauraki Gulf. These islands are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and are teeming with unique birds, plants, and animals. The inner recreational islands are all a short boat trip from the city, are sheltered, and each has its own unique treasures to share. In fact, many call it the boating playground for Aucklanders. Here are four Hauraki Gulf Islands we recommend you visit on your boat:

Rangitoto is a volcanic island with a moon-like landscape. The island is uninhabited, but many people visit Rangitoto and the walking tracks through lava fields and forest, climbing to the summit to enjoy the view of Auckland city and its surroundings. Islington Bay is the most popular anchorage for private boats on the island.

Motutapu is next to Rangitoto but is a much older island to visit with a completely different landscape and history. Its varied past has included centuries of Maori occupation, Victorian settlement, and farming, and it was used as a World War II base. A 50-year community project to restore the cultural and natural landscape was started in 1992. Motutapu is now pest-free, forests are being replanted and wetlands restored. There are several safe anchorages including Wharf Bay, Ocean Beach, and Calypso Bay. Just make sure you don't bring any stowaways.

Browns Island (Motukorea) is only accessible by private boat and is a great place to explore with the family. Here you can walk around the archaeological sites of early Maori, and climb over dormant volcanic cones. This is a short run from Auckland in a small boat, but note that extra care is needed with navigation because of extensive reefs.

Motuihe Island is small and idyllic but has a very chequered past. Two Maori Pa were built on this island, one is noted as an important battle site. It was also used as a quarantine station in the 1800s and again in 1918 when the influenza outbreak occurred. During World War I prisoners of war were kept on the island - with one German soldier managing to escape to the Kermadec islands before he was captured again. In World War II it was used as a naval training base. There is a safe anchorage for private boats, and you can camp on the island to visit. This gives you more time to visit archaeological sites, the remains of the quarantine station, the historic cemetery, and the military installations.

These are only four of the 50 islands that make up the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. All of these islands are accessible by private boat and are an easy distance from Auckland City. If you don't own or have access to a recreational boat, consider a boat share option. Unlike leasing or timeshare, shared ownership of a boat gives you a percentage share in a boat, and you can often secure multiple shares if you think you are going to use the boat a lot.

So now you have no excuse. Get out on your boat and start exploring the amazing Hauraki Gulf Islands today.