Visitor berths in Auckland: which marina for your boat

Auckland calls itself the City of Sails, and it has more marinas than most cities its size. They are not interchangeable for a visitor. Some can clear a yacht arriving from overseas, some only take you once you are cleared, and the one most people still call the Viaduct has a new name. This guide sorts them out, from what each marina says on its own website.

Which Auckland marinas can clear a yacht in from overseas?

If Auckland is your first stop in New Zealand, you need a marina approved to receive yachts from abroad. According to their own pages, those are Westhaven Marina, Auckland Central Marina and Silo Marina. You book a berth first, then arrange Customs and biosecurity clearance yourself.

The marinas' own pages give different size limits for clearing in at Westhaven, so if your boat is over 20 metres, ask which one applies to you. For larger yachts, Auckland Central says it can clear boats over 24 metres.

If you have not sailed in yet, most Pacific cruisers clear in further north at Opua. See our guide to arriving in New Zealand at Opua.

Westhaven Marina

Westhaven describes itself as the southern hemisphere's largest recreational marina, on the western edge of the city centre. It welcomes enquiries for short or long stays. Three things to know before you book: new customers need public liability insurance, payment is in full in advance, and berths come without mooring lines or fenders, so bring your own. Ending a berth agreement takes 20 working days' notice, which matters if you book a long stay and then change your plans.

Auckland Central Marina (the old Viaduct)

If you remember the Viaduct Marina, it is now Auckland Central Marina. It offers short-stay visits as well as seasonal and annual berths, takes vessels up to 55 metres, and sits right in the city centre among the bars and restaurants. It is the natural choice for a larger yacht.

Half Moon Bay Marina

Half Moon Bay, on the eastern side of the city, has over 500 berths for boats from 10 to 30 metres and lists a visitor berth among its services. It is about 30 minutes from the city centre and close to the Hauraki Gulf islands, so it suits a boat that will spend its time cruising the Gulf.

Gulf Harbour Marina

Gulf Harbour, on the Whangaparāoa Peninsula north of the city, has a page specifically for international visitors. It welcomes overseas boats that want to berth and live aboard for a while, and offers a dockmaster round the clock, showers and laundry, mail holding, checks on the boat while you are away, and storage ashore. It is not a port of entry, so clear in elsewhere first.

Other Auckland marinas

Bayswater on the North Shore, Pine Harbour to the east and Hobsonville in the upper harbour are also on BerthFinder. We could not read what Bayswater says about visitors, because its website was not live when we checked, so ask before you plan around it. You can see every Auckland marina we list on our Auckland page.

Which Auckland marina is right for you?

• Arriving from overseas: Westhaven or Auckland Central, depending on your boat's size.
• A larger yacht in the city: Auckland Central.
• A few weeks living aboard: Gulf Harbour, which sets out what it offers international visitors.
• Cruising the Hauraki Gulf: Half Moon Bay or Gulf Harbour.

Every marina asks you to book before you arrive, and the summer months are the busiest.

Ask several Auckland marinas at once

Tell us your boat once on our request form, with your dates, and we will ask the Auckland marinas that fit and pass their answers back to you.

Quick answers

What is the Viaduct Marina called now? Auckland Central Marina.

Which Auckland marinas can clear in an overseas yacht? Westhaven, Auckland Central and Silo, according to their own pages. Book a berth first.

Can I live aboard in an Auckland marina? Some welcome it. Gulf Harbour says it welcomes international visitors who want to live aboard for a while.

Do I need insurance to berth in Auckland? Yes. Westhaven, for example, asks new customers for public liability insurance.