Doubtless Bay has one of the oldest ports in New Zealand.
Mangonui dates back to the early 1800s when it was a whaling base.
Taipa, Cable Bay, Coopers Beach and Mangonui are the main settlements in the area. An interesting Heritage Trail begins at the Mangonui courthouse with many historic buildings and sites.
Mangonui is a quaint fishing village and reputedly has the country's best fish and chips. If you are not in, on or under the water, you will certainly be close to it.
Fish from the Mangonui wharf or simply take a stroll along the peaceful coastline. Whatever your choice, in a peaceful environment you can soak up the sunshine in a subtropical climate, far from motorways, traffic lights and the stress of city life.
Here, the water is clean, the air is clear, the beauty is unforgettable and nowhere is crowded. It's a gentle, happy escape.
A few ways you can spend some time enjoying what Doubtless Bay has to offer:
Cruising
Few places worldwide can top the coastal run from Auckland to Northland. Especially when the region boasts areas such as Whangaroa harbour, located 20 nautical miles east of Mangonui.
The harbour offers sheltered anchorage and a unique atmosphere. Shelter can be found in Mangonui Harbour and in the broad sweep of Doubtless Bay in most conditions. In Mangonui you will find fuel, provisions, delightful cafes, restaurants and bars.
Diving
Doubtless Bay plays host to some of the most easily accessed dive and snorkeling sites to exist off the Karikari Peninsula.
Numerous black-coral colonies are nestled under the waters at Doubtless Bay, which offers everything from walk-in beach dives to some of the most spectacular pinnacle dives in the world.
Cruise out from Whangaroa for a small distance to the Cavalli Islands and you can discover the wreck of the Rainbow Warrior, sunk in 1987, which hosts an evergrowing display of marine life.
Fishing
Prime the fishing rod and reel as Doubtless Bay's coast has a platter of marlin and other billfish to offer you - if you can haul them in of course.
In season, yellow-fin tuna and sharks are taken and yellow-tail kingfish all year. Mangonui provides a number of charter boats with skilled and experienced skippers to further enhance the exceptional fishing for all skill levels.
