Sailing on Rotorua's lakes. Photo / Rotorua NZ
Jane Jurgens recommends seven great places to be on the water this summer — whether on your own boat, sailing with friends, or maybe on a bareback or crewed charter.
There are 144 islands in this sailors' paradise that is known for its calm, temperate waters and sheltered coves, not to mention jaw-dropping scenery, fascinating history, and excellent fishing. Set sail from Paihia, Russell or Kerikeri and explore the walking tracks on the largest island, Urupukapuka, where you'll even find a licensed cafe and a dining ferry in Otehei Bay. Moturua Island is home to many fascinating archaeological sites and former naval barracks as well as a population of North Island brown kiwi, while Roberton or Motuarohia Island has a tumultuous history and two beautiful lagoons to explore at Twin Lagoons Bay.
Aucklanders are lucky enough to have a glorious harbour on their doorstep. Plan a day trip — or even a dusk sailing — puttering about the inner harbour, or pack the boat up for a longer trip further afield to one of the Hauraki Gulf's 50-plus islands. Waiheke Island is one of the easier options — it's close, there are great food and drink experiences, galleries and boutiques — but it can be crowded at this time of year. If that doesn't appeal, consider making your way north to the western side of Kawau Island off the coast of Warkworth or northeast to Great Barrier Island on the outer edge of the gulf. The Barrier is known for its diving and fishing, birdlife, bushwalks and beautiful beaches, and there's even a hot thermal spring called Kaitoke for those who fancy a soak. Keep an eye out for whales, dolphins and blue penguins on your gulf travels.
There are plenty of options when it comes to boating, watersports and fishing in and around Rotorua; there are more than a dozen major volcanic lakes asome have both. The largest lake is the one the town is built around and whose name it shares, Lake Rotorua, followed by Lake Tarawera, the former home of the famous Pink and White Terraces destroyed in the 1886 eruption of Mt Tarawera. The picturesque Blue Lake — named for its gorgeous, rich colour — is popular with families thanks to excellent camping grounds, picnic areas and walking tracks.
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This is the Big Daddy of lakes in New Zealand at 616sq km so there is plenty of room to accommodate all the action that takes place on its waters. Adrenalin junkies can opt for jet boats or skis, and there are scenic cruises, swimming, kayaking, parasailing and fishing. If you don't have your own boat, consider booking a cruise on Fearless, a pirate-themed ketch that offers daily tours to the famous Maori rock carvings created in the 1970s to protect the lake — which is in a long-dormant caldera — from volcanic activity.
Fun fact: Along the lake's shores you may encounter the odd hot spring so keep an eye
out for little plumes of steam and watch where you're walking.
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This scenic part of the north-eastern tip of the South Island has more than 1500km of coastline to explore, and offers some of the best sailing in the country. There are three main marinas to depart from, Picton, Havelock and Waikawa, and for cruising options there are three main sounds — all drowned river valleys — so the options are endless. Picton is the gateway to the easternmost sound, Queen Charlotte, known for its calm waters but also its treacherous entrances — in 1986 Russian cruise liner Mikhail Lermontov sank at Port Gore after striking rocks. These days the wreck is an artificial reef for scuba divers. Kenepuru Sound is the smallest and shallowest of the three, and is a 25km arm of Pelorus Sound, which has Havelock Marina at its head. Pelorus Jack, the famous dolphin that escorted boats to and from the French Pass was named after the sound in 1888 and you may spot some of his descendants on your sails. Other marine life you may come across include the endangered South Island robin and fur seals.
Visit
for an interactive guide to the area's marinas, anchorages, boat ramps, moorings, facilities and more, complete with live footage, satellite images and nautical charts.
Just on the other side of Marlborough is the spectacular Nelson-Tasman region, famous for being the place where Dutch explorer Abel Tasman first discovered New Zealand in 1642. Think golden beaches, clear and clean waters and a plethora of wildlife, from fur seals and dolphins to whales, herons and penguins. Abel Tasman National Park is to the north of Tasman Bay (plan a stop at famous Kaiteriteri Beach), where Torrent Bay is the pick of the boat anchorages. A four-hour sail east will get you to d'Urville Island, population about 50, where you can stop for a meal and a drink and a spot of mountain biking or hunting.
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It's an embarrassment of riches when it comes to the alpine lakes at the bottom of the South Island, but you have to be a hardy soul to swim in them — the three main breathtakingly beautiful bodies of water used for recreation are fed by the Southern Alps and the water temperature averages between 8-10C. Lake Wakatipu at Queenstown, is the third largest lake in New Zealand covering 293sq km. It's an odd shape — think a bent worm — and there are some restrictions for boaties, so read the rules before you go. An hour northeast of Queenstown is Lake Wanaka and its waters are not any warmer, although that doesn't seem to stop the children jumping off the pier on the lakefront. Lake Wanaka is New Zealand's fourth largest lake at 180sq km, and is another odd shape. Right next door is narrow but deep Lake Hawea — the pair are separated by a narrow isthmus — which is a summer hotspot for boating, fishing and swimming. Note that you need a licence to fish in all three lakes.
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