Arriving form overseas
You need to arrange customs and immigration clearance, please do so via one of the following methods:
- 70 Nautical miles – Call: Plenty Maritime Radio – 68 VHF
- 60 Nautical miles – Call: Tauranga Volunteer Coastguard – 83 VHF
- 14(approx) Nautical miles – Call: Bridge Marina – 73 VHF
NOTE: Plenty Maritime Radio and Tauranga Volunteer Coastguard Monitor VHF 16
Pilotage
Vessels over 100 gross tons: must contact Tauranga Bridge Marina in advance, to arrange an “Exemption from Compulsory Pilotage Certificate”.
Vessels over 500 gross tons: must arrange a Pilot through Tauranga Port Radio VHF 12
Chart NZ 5412 – Covers the approaches to, and Tauranga harbour.
To check on commercial shipping entering or leaving the harbour.
Call Tauranga Port Radio on VHF 12
Tauranga Harbour Entrance
The entrance to Tauranga harbour is to the west of the 230 metre high Mount Maunganui, which is visible from many miles to seaward.
The harbour entrance should be approached from the North East to avoid coming too close to Matakana Bank, which breaks in heavy weather. The main marked channel to enter Tauranga harbour has at least 10 metres of water at chart datum, but the tidal streams can be very strong, 4.5 to 5 knots (spring tides).
