Ōkara Marina A to Z info
Here is some handy information for your stay at Ōkara Marina.
Access
Ōkara Marina is conveniently located on the seaside of the lifting bridge. The main channel leading to the marina is dredged to 1m below chart datum (lowest tide). Red to port when entering. It is well marked and is soft mud.
Airport
Under 10 minutes by car, uber or taxi to the Whangarei domestic airport. Auckland International Airport, is a three hour drive or by Intercity bus - transfer at Sky City.
Berths
Ōkara Marina berths are concrete full-length finger. You always need your own mooring lines. If there are any lines on the mooring, please leave them there. When you arrive, have a midship line ready for a cleat tie. Let the office know if you need someone to catch your lines. Free water and metered electricity are available at your dock.
Bathrooms
Toilets are available for all customers and are unisex. We take pride in maintaining a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene and encourage you to use our facilities rather than those aboard. This is a temporary building until our new facilities are constructed.
Showers are free. Laundry is coin operated: Hot washing machine $4. Dryers $1/15 min. The office will exchange $20 notes for coins.
Bus
To Auckland CBD - 3 times daily, $35 to $55pp
To Auckland Airport - transfer at Sky City, from $20pp
To Opua - 3 times daily
Book on www.intercity.co.nz
Max bag allowance is 20kg medium size.
Children’s activities
The Hatea loop bike/walk goes right past our marinas with many activities for small and big children. Playgrounds, dog park, skate and bike parks, swimming pool, rowing club, dance studios, gyms, climbing walls, glass blowing, pottery and art studios…
Customs
The closest clearance dock is at Marsden Cove Marina.
Electricity
240v 16 & 32 amp, 50Hz metered electricity is available. You will need a twist lock blue male connection. An electrical W.O.F. is required for vessels using unattended reticulating power. Power cords need to be tested annually and display the tag by the pedestal.
Power supply at Okara marina is via Tallyweb which is an automated system. You will receive a 5 digit code for gate access and power supply. Inside the pedestal door is more information. The blue button opens the pedestal door.
You can get your power cord tested at
Whangarei Electrical Services
24 Herekino St (5 minute walk)
Ph: 09 470 0220
CMA Electrical
Ph: 027 289 0617
Electrical Warrant of Fitness can be organised through
Omori Tech LTD Ph: 027 273 1359
CMA Electrical Ph: 027 289 0617
Empower Electrical: 09 4365313
Emergencies
The emergency number is New Zealand is 111
This will connect you to Ambulance, Fire and Police. The police number for non-emergency but concerning happenings, is 105.
Farmers market
Saturdays 6.30am to 9am at the Walton Street car park next to Dominos Pizza. This is fantastic to purchase your fresh local vegetables and other food.
Fuel
Available in the Whangarei Harbour from Port Nikau (best for commercial vessels) or Marsden Cove Marina.
Duty free fuel available from Marsden Cove Marina during normal office hours on departure of New Zealand. You must call in advance to arrange.
Gas/LPG Bottles
For cooking gas/LPG filling stations at ONgas or Elgas, both on Porowini Ave. A three minute car drive or 20 minute walk, borrow a marina trolley. Mitre 10 and many petrol stations also offer swap a bottle. Your bottle will need to meet NZ standards. For gas bottle testing, go to Fire Watch, 91 Port Road
Growers Market
Saturdays from 6.30am at the Walton Street car park next to Dominos Pizza. This is fantastic to purchase your fresh local vegetables and other food.
Haul out
There are six haul out boat yards within Whangarei Harbour. whangareimarine.co.nz/trade-directory
Insurance
All vessels berthing in our marinas are required to show proof of insurance. The minimum requirement is $5M NZD third-party liability cover.
Internet
Free wi-fi is available if you have a line of sight with the antenna on the facilities build. The code is @2TMarinawifi.
Living aboard
Living aboard is permitted for transient vessels and Licence holders. Please apply to management. There is an additional charge when on the monthly rate. Discuss if you have pets.
Medical Care
White Cross is opposite the Town Basin marina office, 32 Reburn Street. Open from 8am to 8pm. This provides services for small accidents and illnesses without being registered at a general practice.
Visit www.whitecross.co.nz for waiting times.
Office Hours
Mon- Fri 9am-12pm, 1pm–4:30pm
Saturday the Town Basin Office is open 10-12
Sunday Closed
IF URGENT CALL 027 338 8625
Parking
There is plenty of free parking at Okara marina. Tell the office if you are going to leave your car for a while. Or, take the option to park your car in a secure lock-up a short walk from the Town Basin marina. $4 Daily or $80 monthly rates apply.
Post
Packages and mail can be received at the Town Basin Marina office. Please ask your sender to include your boat name. Whangarei Marinas, Boat Name, 37 Quayside, Town Basin, 0110 Whangarei. They are often delivered to your boat by staff. Check the whiteboard for your name.
Restaurants
There are many options for excellent dining out on the waterfront and in the CBD. Ask the marina staff for recommendations. Tipping is not expected in NZ but is appreciated.
Rubbish
We have yellow bins that take glass, recyclable plastic and cans. Also for squashed cardboard and general waste. Please make sure you sort correctly. Talk to staff about your oil waste.
Security
The marina has security cameras over the car park and gate entrances. Lock your bikes and outboard engines. Car alarms are suggested. Please report any incidents or concerns to marina staff. Get to know your neighbours.
Sewage pump-out
Available at Riverside Drive Marina Wharf. Dump station for porta potties at the bin area on the Riverside Drive side of the town marina. Strictly no sewage discharge in the marina. To empty a holding tank you need to be a minimum of 500m from land and more than 5m depth.
Socialising
TV lounge and book swap library are located by the Town Basin marina office, which Ōkara boaties are also welcome to use. City regulations mean there is an alcohol ban on the shore in town so there is a floating BBQ party barge. Tuesdays 5.30pm is BYO and a plate of food to share happy hour. At Okara marina you can ask to pull out the BBQ to use beside the office picnic table. You can dinghy across to the Whangarei Cruising Club for meals and low-cost drinks on Friday nights. There are often fun events being organised for the boaties, join the WhatsApp group.
Supermarket
Woolworths is 11 min walk together with a lot of large stores. The cheaper Pak n Save supermarket is directly across the road from the Town Basin Marina. They both stock a great range of food, alcohol and everyday items. It is easy to take your tender to the Town Basin dinghy dock in front of the office. Make sure you return the supermarket trolly!
Water
The tap water is chlorinated, free and drinkable.
Working on your boat
While we like to see owners maintaining their vessels to a high standard, we do not permit welding, grinding, sanding or spraypainting in your berths unless you have permission from the marina manager. Make sure contractors have the required level of insurance and have reported to the marina office before starting work.
Yacht Clubs
The Blackball Yacht Club was started by a group of International cruisers who loved Whangarei so much that they wanted to give back to the community by raising money for youth to get involved in the marine industry. Membership is $50 per person and can be purchased from the Town Basin Marina office. You will receive your very own membership card and be inscribed in the leather bound membership book. David on SV Rewa is the commodore.
Membership in the Blackball Yacht club gives you recripical social membership in the Whangarei Cruising Club on the waterfront behind the pile moorings around the corner from Okara Marina. You can dinghy across to the Whangarei Cruising Club for meals and low-cost drinks on Friday nights.