Visitors to New Zealand & arriving from overseas
Set sail for Tauranga Bridge Marina, Bay of Plenty, where stunning coastal beauty meets unparalleled service. Our friendly and dedicated marina team is here to ensure your stay is nothing short of extraordinary.
Tauranga Bridge Marina is centrally located, giving you easy access to incredible inland day trips. Within an hour, you can explore New Zealand's most colourful geothermal activity or hire a mountain bike and explore the beautiful Redwood Forest. Drive another hour south to Taupo for a thrilling bungee jump and exhilarating white-water rafting. The options are endless!
Want to keep it local? You are minutes away from beautiful beaches, scenic parks, and vibrant café and dining and shopping options.
Offering monohull berths from 10.5 up to 37 metres and multihull berths up to 16 metres. While you are away exploring, Bridge Marina Travelift and Hardstand can take care of your maintenance and repairs with experienced, knowledgeable staff and contractors. Rest easy knowing your boat is in expert hands!
Why Choose Tauranga Bridge Marina?
- Expert team ready to assist you
- Outstanding facilities including international visitors lounge with complimentary Wi-Fi
- Experienced & knowledgeable maintenance and repair specialist
- A vibrant marina community
- GST exemption on berth rental (on a Marina Company owned berth* with current New Zealand Temporary Import Entry certificate). *Availability not guaranteed.
We welcome overseas vessels to stay onboard at the marina while they are visiting New Zealand (stayaboard levies apply).
Come join us at Tauranga Bridge Marina, where adventure awaits! Book your spot today and experience the magic of the Bay of Plenty.
Customs & MPI
Recreational vessels (yachts and leisure craft) will need a full biosecurity clearance. A full clearance allows you to sail freely in New Zealand waters and remain in New Zealand for an extended time (more than 20 days).
To find out how to get clearance into New Zealand and the step by step process visit the Ministry for Primary Industries website click here.
Visitors to New Zealand & arriving from overseas
Tauranga Bridge Marina Arrival Notification
If you are a foreign vessel arriving in Tauranga - New Zealand, provide advance notice before leaving your last port.
Small Vessels may only arrive into Tauranga as a first port by prior arrangement.
Tauranga Bridge Marina Arrival Notification
The Master of every vessel is required to give 48 hours notice of the expected port of entry and estimated time of arrival to the New Zealand Customs Service and Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI).
Do not anchor in New Zealand waters before clearing Customs.
You need to arrange Customs and Immigration clearance please do so via one of the following methods:
| Nautical Miles | Call | VHF |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | Plenty Maritime Radio 68 | 61 |
| 60 | Tauranga Volunteer Coastguard | 01 |
| 14 (approx) | Tauranga Bridge Marina | 73 |
Note: Plenty Maritime Radio and Tauranga Volunteer Coastguard Monitor VHF 16
The following information is designed to assist vessels visiting NZ with the NZ Customs Service and Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) arrival and departure formalities. Compliance with these procedures will ensure that the border entry and departure requirements for you and your craft are completed efficiently and with the minimum of delay.
When Nearing New Zealand
Contact can be made by calling Maritime radio on SSB 4125 Khz or VHF ch 16. If there are any changes to your ETA, the radio operator will be able to notify NZ Customs Service and MPI official so they can prepare for your arrival.
Tauranga Harbour & Marina Approaches
Tauranga Harbour Entrance Pilotage
Vessels over 250 gross tons:
Must arrange a Pilot through Tauranga Port Radio VHF 12.
The Port of Tauranga provides a pilotage service for all vessels over 250GRT unless the master holds a current pilot exemption certificate. Entry and exit to the Port is provided through an arrival and departure window.
Contact Customer Services:
- Phone: +64 7 572 8888
- Email: [email protected]
- Web: www.port-tauranga.co.nz
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.
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 10 metres of water at chart datum, but the tidal streams can be very strong, 4.5 to 5 knots (spring tides).
Inside The Harbour
Latitude: 37 40.25'S
Longitude: 176 10.5'E
Once inside the Tauranga Harbour - Tauranga Bridge Marina is located 2.2 nautical miles due South of Mauao (Mount Maunganui) on the Eastern side of town reach, North East of the Harbour Bridge.
Follow the line of green channel markers, leaving them to Starboard all the way down to yellow special mark.
Vessel Works Tauranga operates an approved Port of First Arrival (Customs Berth) for incoming / outgoing vessels.
Note: Permanent stayaboards are expressly forbidden unless permission is sought & granted by the Marina Manager for special circumstances.
Berthing In Tidal Marinas
Boat owners who are not experienced in manoeuvering within tidal marinas should make this clear to marina staff before arrival.
An experienced staff member will meet you in the work boat "GG" and pilot you to your allocated marina berth.
This service is available at no cost, between the hours of 0800 to 1800 7 days a week, or to plan their arrival for slack water which last approximately 20 minutes either side of high and low tides.
Navigation Lights, Marina Entrance
- Northern Breakwater: Two fixed red lights, vertically mounted
- Southern Breakwater: Flashing green light, visible 180' through 270'
Mooring Lines
Rental berths do not include mooring lines so we would advise you to have adequate mooring lines to secure your vessel.
Please note that we do not allow any hard shackles as they wear the galvanised coating off our mooring rings.
If you plan to leave your vessel unattended for a long period we advise you to double up on your mooring lines.
Customs Clearance Area & Transitional Facility
Vessel Works provide the berth facility for vessels to clear New Zealand waters only and does not provide Customs or MPI clearance, these are provided by each government entity at their wharf.
You are responsible for liaising with Customs and MPI regarding your arrival or departure.
- Vessel Works PoFA services/customs clearance will only be available when pre-booked at least 48 hours in advance
- Vessel Works PoFA services will only be available inside standard operating hours: Monday – Friday between 0800 – 1600 unless agreed prior
- Vessels must arrive and depart on slack tide
- Vessels may have to wait if a berth is not available or day-to-day operations impact a safe arrival/departure
- PoFA/customs clearance booking is only confirmed once a written booking confirmation has been provided by the Vessel Works office, and all required vessel documentation has been provided by the vessel (services agreement, insurance, estimate accepted)
- Customs Wharf Fee - $350 + GST per clearance
The Customs Berth is operated by Vessel Works, Tauranga, in conjunction with NZ Customs & MPI / Biosecurity NZ and the appropriate arrival notification described earlier must be given.
The Customs Berth is currently unlit during the hours of darkness.
