“We want to restart people caring about the environment, though adventure, through participation, through education and through enjoyment”.
Sir Peter Blake
The creation of 19 Marine Protected Areas in the Hauraki Gulf in 2025 will go a long way to restore and enhance the health of the gulf for many generations to come.
Whakarua Tours wants to make those Marine Protection Areas accessible and enjoyable to all people, whether they are international visitors or locals wanting to know their own place a little better or business groups looking for fresh inspiration
Feel free to get in touch any time if you have any questions about booking a trip. We would love to chat about getting you on your next adventure.
For those who just have enough time to dip their toes into the Hauraki Gulf.
The koutu journey visits the inner shores of Rangitoto, Auckland’s youngest and most iconic volcanos . You will cruise past the pristine pohutakawa forests and lava fields as they had flowed from the volcanoes crater down into the waters edge. Dotted along the coast line are the brightly coloured remnants of a settlement of baches (simple holiday homes).
You will then enter into Islington Bay one of the Hauraki Gulfs most sheltered anchorages for morning or afternoon tea. Remnants of a World War 2 mine control base can be seen on right as we enter the Bay.
From there we cross over to the beautiful Motuihe Is land for a swim for those who wish to be completely in touch with the Hauraki Gulf…and from there we head home to Westhaven.
* prices do not include food or beverages
On this trip we explore one of the Hauraki Gulfs newest Marine Protection Areas along the north eastern parts of Rangitito and Motutapu Is lands from Boulder Bay, Gardiners Gap on Rangitoto and then on , Raupati and Sandy Bays and up to Billy Goat point at the northern tip of Motutapu.
If the weather is kind we will anchor in the shelter of the is lands and reefs that defines Raupati Bay and look for the schools and fish and many varieties of native sea birds that populate this area. In the warmer months of summer guests are invited to snorkel from the back of the boat to get an even closer look at the marine life of Motutapu.
From this marine sanctuary we travel around the top of the is land and make our way though the Rakino channel past the beautiful Waikarapupu Bay and then round to the hidden gems of Station and Mullet Bays for lunch, and another swim and then through the Motuihe channel and home back to Westhaven
* prices do not include food or beverages
This tour ventures out to The Noises Marine Protection Area one the Hauraki’s largest MPA’s.
This area features dozens of is lands and reefs that are home to many different sea birds, fish and marine mammals including dolphins and the occasional orcas and other whales.
It is a natural sea water aquarium and is must see for all visitors who want a true marine experience all within a 90 minute cruise from downtown Auckland.
Weather permitting guests will be welcome to swim in one of the Noises sheltered bays with lunch either at the Noises or in one of the neighbouring bays at Rakino or Motutapu Is lands
Once outside of the reserves we will try our luck fishing for a few fillets to eat on the boat or to take home if convenient
* prices do not include food or beverages
