Yachts should enter the upper river 2 hours before high tide. Keep 5-8 meters on the correct side of all channel markers and favour the outside of the river bends. The river bottom is soft mud. The marina is just before a bridge, so you cannot go past it !

Whangarei is a port of entry and exit for overseas vessels and if arriving from overseas, you need to arrange for your Customs and Immigration clearance before disembarking from your vessel. You can do this by contacting Russell Radio or Taupo Maritime Radio on the frequencies shown below. Ideally, yachts should contact the authorities 48hrs prior to arrival to arrange for clearance. The Custom's officer in Whangarei is Bruce Cooper (bruce.cooper@customs.govt.nz)

You can email your information 48 hours prior to your arrival by downloading Customs Form C1B and Form NZCS 340 (both are small txt files)and emailing them to Yachts@customs.govt.nz
or you can fax them to +64 9 359 6692.

Taupo Maritime Radio
4125	6215	8291	12290

Russell Radio SSB transmitting Times
4445	0730 - 0800	1900 - 1930
4417	0700 - 0715	1900 - 1930
6515	0715 - 0730	1930 - 1945
13101	0800 - 0830	1600 - 1630

Russell Radio is run on a voluntary basis, for more information, please visit their site at www.russellradio.org.nz.SSB frequencies 4445 and 13101 are the frequencies on which they operate for weather reports and emergency traffic. Local weather reports are broadcast on VHF Channel 63 at 09:30, 13:30 and 17:50.

Approaching Whangarei, arrange Customs clearance through Whangarei Harbour Radio VHF Ch 16 or 19. They will direct you to the Customs and Quarantine area, which is a T shaped jetty between the oil refinery jetty and the Northport log wharfs. Do not anchor in New Zealand waters before clearing customs!

Once cleared in, you can arrange your berth at Town Basin Marina:-
Town Basin Marina, 37 Quayside, Town Basin, Whangarei 0110

Tel:+64 (0) 9 438 2033
+64 (0) 9 438 2036
VHF Channel 64 (office hours only)

whangarei.marina@xtra.co.nz
Opening Hours: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and 10am-noon, Saturdays.