Opua

1. Opua pilot boarding place Pilot boards35°12.9′S 174°07.8′E

Size limits

LOA 240m, draught 6.4m-8.5m HW.

Largest vessel handled: "Crystal Harmony", LOA 241m, beam 30m, 49,000GT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Range 2.0m mean springs and 1.5m neaps.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

The port is approached from N through a dredged channel, 1.5nm in length, 7.0m in depth and with a min width of 400m, marked by light beacons (entrance 35°15.9'S 174°06.1'E) and entered through Veronica Channel (0.85nm S, depth 6.0m CD), which is marked with light beacons and lightbuoys. Leading lights lead through both channels.

Veronica Channel Leading Lights:

Front Light: No 7 Light Beacon, starboard hand in position 35°18.2'S 174°06.5'E.

Middle light: Orange and white framework tower, 18m in height, 0.2nm S of the front light, characteristic Q Fl.

Rear Light: White triangle, 6m in height, 0.45nm S of the front light, FR neon.

From a position 35°15.2'S 174°06.0'E, off Brampton Bank, the alignment 172.5° of these lights leads through the marked dredged channel and then through the N part of Veronica Channel, passing (positions given from the front light):

Between Motuarahi Island (1nm NNW) and Toretore Island (1nm NNE), then:

E of No 5 Light Beacon (starboard hand, 0.22nm NNW).

From No 5 Light Beacon, the alignment 136.25° of Opua Approach Leading Lights, situated in the entrance of Kawakawa River leads through the SE part of Veronica Channel to Opua Wharf:

Front Light: White and orange truncated triangle, 5m in height, 35°19'S 174°07.6'E.

Rear Light: White triangle, 7m in height, 0.3nm SE of the front light.

Port limits

The harbour limits are bounded by a line from Cape Brett to Nine Pin.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Traffic schemes have not been adopted.

Anchorages

If a vessel has to wait for a pilot, the vessel should anchor at Renown Anchorage with Fraser Rock Light bearing 270° x 1.1nm.

Tugs

Available by arrangement with Northland Regional Council, Whangarei, 72 hours notice is required.

Mooring

Vessels must berth port or starboard side to Opua Wharf (East side).

Charts and publications

NZ 42, 51. Admiralty Pilot NP51.

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels should send ETA 24 hours prior to arrival, by fax to Northland Regional Council.

Communications

Radio: Contact "Bay of Islands Harbour Control" for pilot and port information.

VHF: Port: Ch 12, 16, callsign "Bay of Islands Harbour Control".

Pilot vessel "Hatea": Ch 16.

Standard messages

Agent/port company will advise pilot boarding time and berth details, port situation.

Notice of readiness

As per Charter Party or at arrival at the pilot station.

Health

A similar exemption is granted to vessels making their first port of call in New Zealand, directly after leaving any port on the W coast of Canada or United States of America, or from any port on the E coast of those countries, if using the Panama Canal. In these cases, an intervening call may be made en route to New Zealand at any port of the above listed places.

The exemptions only apply if no person onboard suffers from an eruptive disease attended by fever or glandular swelling.

It is unlawful for any person, except in an emergency or with the authority of Port Health Officer, to board the vessel until pratique has been granted.

Customs and immigration

Normal Customs/Immigration formalities apply. Visa, if required can be applied for on arrival.

Allowances for officers and crew: 200 cigarettes, 1 litre spirits, 750ml wine. There are cash fines and confiscation for non compliance with these allowances.

Notices and regulations

Regional Council By Laws apply. Vessels must comply with ballast water discharge restrictions and be free from Asian Gypsy Moth.

Port State Control here: Tokyo MOU.

Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.

Inspection of ships in New Zealand

Maritime Safety Authority

PO Box 27006, 275-281 Upper Cuba Street, Wellington, New Zealand.

Tel: +64 4 382 8198.

Fax: +64 4 382 4934.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Maritime Safety Authority of New Zealand.

Contact person: Maritime Security Adviser.

Address: PO Box 27006, Level 8 Gen-I Tower, 109 Featherston Street, Wellington, 6005, New Zealand.

Tel: +64 4 471 5366.

Fax: +64 4 494 1270.

Website: http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

Available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Not available locally but can be delivered by road tanker from Whangarei.

Medical

Doctors and dentist in Paihia. There is a hospital available at Kawakawa.

Transport

Nearest airport: Kerikeri.

Airport facilities: A shuttle service is available.

Nearest railway: Opua.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours by arrangement.

Where it is

Opua is situated in the Bay of Islands, N of Whangarei on the E coast of New Zealand's North Island.

The port

Local ferries and small cruise vessels are handled at the quays in the main port area with larger cruise vessels anchoring 3.5nm to the N, close W of Wahihi Bay. Vessels as large as Royal Caribbean's "Explorer of the Seas" and Cunard's "Queen Mary 2" have called in recent years.

Traffic

Approx 20 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Opua?

The pilot boards at Opua pilot boarding place, 35°12.9′S 174°07.8′E.

What time zone is Opua in?

Local time at Opua is UTC+13. Back to UTC+12 on 3 Apr 2027. Clocks go to UTC+13 on 25 Sep 2027.

What is the water density at Opua?

1025.

Which load line zone is Opua in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Opua?

Port State Control at Opua: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Opua?

The UN/LOCODE of Opua is NZOPX.

What crews who called at Opua say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

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