Where you can go boating
For a full list of boat ramps, see Find a boat ramp.
Ātiu Creek
The coastline at Ātiu Creek is difficult to access, very tidal and mainly consists of mudflats and wetlands.
The currents are very strong and dangerous, and you need to take extreme care.
We do not recommend accessing the park by watercraft.
Read more about
Ātiu Creek Regional Park.
Āwhitu
Peaceful Āwhitu on the southwest shores of the Manukau Harbour offers parkland pastures, wetlands to explore, and safe, sandy beaches.
Read more about
Āwhitu Regional Park.
Cornwallis
Part of the Waitākere Ranges, Cornwallis is a popular, safe spot for family picnics and swimming.
It is home to the 200m-long restored Cornwallis wharf, the last of Manukau Harbour's 16 ferry wharves.
Read more about
Cornwallis Regional Park.
Huia
Huia is a quiet settlement by the Manukau Harbour.
It has tidal beaches, picnic spots, campsites, and a huge choice of walks.
Read more about
Huia Regional Park.
Long Bay
All beaches here are generally calm and make for a pleasant boating experience.
There is no boat ramp at Long Bay, but you can hand-launch and retrieve boats of up to 3m.
You have to carry boats over the parkland from the car park to avoid damaging the grass.
Read more about
Long Bay Regional Park.
Mahurangi
All beaches here are good for boating.
The harbour offers shelter from most wind directions, though the tide may influence conditions significantly, especially when the wind opposes the tide.
You can hand-launch and retrieve boats of up to 3m.
You have to carry boats over the parkland from the car park to avoid damaging the grass.
Read more about
Mahurangi Regional Park.
Scandrett
Scandretts Bay is generally calm and ideal for boating.
There is no boat ramp but you can hand-launch and retrieve boats of up to 3m.
Scandretts Bay is very tidal so launching and landing can be very difficult at low tide.
Launch from Scandretts Bay or the boat ramp at Martins Bay.
You have to carry boats over the parkland from the car park to avoid damaging the grass.
Read more about
Scandrett Regional Park.
Shakespear
Shakespear is a popular spot for many kinds of boating.
You can hand-launch boats of 3m or less from any of Shakespear's beaches as the tide allows.
You can launch larger vessels at the boat ramp at Army Bay.
You have to carry boats over the parkland from the car park to avoid damaging the grass.
Read more about
Shakespear Regional Park.
Tāpapakanga
An attractive coastal farm park, Tāpapakanga offers an accessible beach on the western shores of the Firth of Thames.
Read more about
Tāpapakanga Regional Park.
Tāwharanui
Tāwharanui is a popular spot for many kinds of boating.
There are no boat ramps or boat launching facilities at Tāwharanui but you can hand-launch boats of 3m or less from any of Tāwharanui's beaches.
Thre are boat ramps at Point Wells, Omaha and Sandspit. You can also launch from Campbells Beach and Baddeleys Beach, but only at full tide.
You can bring boats on trailers into the campground as long as they are not over 5m in length.
You have to carry boats over the parkland from the car park to avoid damaging the grass.
Read more about
Tāwharanui Regional Park.
Waitawa
Located 50km from central Auckland on the south-eastern coast, Waitawa is made up of three small peninsulas and fronts onto four bays.
Read more about
Waitawa Regional Park.
Wenderholm
Boating is a popular activity at Wenderholm, with a an all-weather access boat ramp available at the north end of the main car park.
The main beach and the Pūhoi Estuary are good for boating but the estuary is very tidal and launching or retrieving boats from here is not recommended for the three hours each side of low tide.
You can hand-launch and retrieve boats of up to 3m.
You have to carry boats over the parkland from the car park to avoid damaging the grass.
Read more about
Wenderholm Regional Park.
Whakanewha
Whakanewha has access at high tide for small boat access, with anchorage available at nearby Rocky Bay.
Read more about
Whakanewha Regional Park.
