- Most Popular
- All ages Ages All ages
- 90 Minutes Duration 90 Minutes
Departing from Whangaroa, this 90-minute narrated boat cruise is the best way to get up-close views of Whangaroa Harbour’s unique history and famous landscape.
Quick Details
A houseboat will take you to places a road can’t. You can fish, swim, barbecue, or simply explore isolated walking tracks. Situated on the idyllic Whangaroa Harbour, Whangaroa Houseboat Holidays is the perfect option for your next getaway. It will be a holiday you will not forget!
Our minimum hire period for Whangaroa houseboats is usually a weekend hire. Hire periods are as follows:
The Maple Leaf can sleep 6 adults. We provide all linen blankets, duvets, pillows, sheets. and 1 towel per person. We recommend you bring extra towels for water activities.
We will meet you at the Whangaroa Marina. There is safe car parking available here, and trollies available to load your gear. From here you are transferred in our water taxi to the houseboat.
YES! The only prerequisites are that you are over 25 years of age. On the day of your departure, you will be given a full briefing on the operation and navigation of your houseboat and then taken on a short cruise just to make sure you are confident before handing over the helm.
No, you do not need a licence to drive the Maple Leaf. To read more about rules on the water, visit Maritime New Zealand’s website.
All you need to bring is your food, beverages, personal toiletries, sun protection, a torch, beach towels, mobile phone and fishing gear. We recommend that you bring an extra chilly bin for cold drinks etc. and to freeze as many other items beforehand.
The Maple Leaf comes fully equipped with BBQ, gas cooker, cutlery, crockery, glassware, saucepans, frying pans and other kitchen utensils. Sheets, pillows, 2 towels, duvets and toilet tissue are also provided. There are no laundry facilities on board so bring ample clothing.
The maximum number of people allowed to sleep on board Maple Leaf is 6.
Mostly we communicate from the owner to the customers by text. Although you are unlikely to require assistance, The Maple Leaf is fitted with a VHF marine radio, so you can contact Whangaroa Coast Guard on Channel 64. It is also advisable to take your mobile phone as an additional means of contact. The main way we keep in contact is by texting.
The Maple Leaf is insured providing you have met our conditions of charter and follow our instructions. Wilful or negligent damage is not covered, and you are responsible for damage caused by you or members of your group to other people’s property.
The Maple Leaf is fitted with 12 volt D.C. supply from a solar panel which supplies lighting. There are multiple USB charging ports on board.
The houseboat is fitted with a hot shower and hand basin, heated by gas califont, and an eco-friendly Lectrasan marine toilet. Instructions are given on the simple management of this system.
The Maple Leaf is equipped with an AM/FM radio. The radio has bluetooth and AUX capabilities.
It is patchy. In the centre of the harbour it’s ok but in the bays with the big cliffs coverage may be limited. Phones may not work everywhere, but will work somewhere. Texting is the most reliable form of communication on the harbour.
The houseboat is available from 10am. If you cannot make this time please advise us of your expected arrival time. Sometimes the charter party may arrive or leave in groups at different times. We can accommodate this (as long as it’s not at night). We will arrange to meet the second group at the wharf at the specified time then take them to the houseboat in our Harbour Taxi. There is a charge of $50 for this transfer. We cannot put people on the boat after dark as Maple Leaf cannot be driven at night and must be secure on anchor or a mooring one hour before darkness. (Maritime NZ terms). Find out more about our water taxi service.
Not currently. The town of Whangaroa offers the Whangaroa Big Gamefish Club and meals may be available there in evenings over the summer months. It is a good idea to contact to check opening hours. For access to shore you will have to anchor the houseboat and use the inflatable tender available with the Maple Leaf.
The nearest convenience store is in Kaeo, a 10-minute car drive from the harbour. Bring everything you need with you. For additional charge we may be able to deliver goods to you if you run out of supplies.
The Maple Leaf is surveyed as a bare boat charter, within the limits of Whangaroa Harbour. There are spots which are shallow which are marked on the map that should be avoided. You will be given instructions on navigation in our safety briefing of the boat.
No. The Maple Leaf is only permitted to travel in daylight hours and must not move between dusk and dawn.
In New Zealand you do not need a license for saltwater fishing. Fishing regulations apply for the sizes and numbers of fish caught. These regulations are outlined on board the Maple Leaf.
“The Maple Leaf is not a fishing charter boat”
Happy for customers fishing on the Maple Leaf, please keep fishing equipment to a minimum
Water tanks on board hold 400 litres of fresh water and will last for 3-5 days. You can fill up at the water buoy in the eastern arm. This is operated by the Whangaroa Coast Guard. In addition, the Maple Leaf will have fuel and spare tanks on board. Fuel is included in your charter price.
The houseboat is fitted with a gas 12V fridge and freezer. Ice or salt ice can be purchased at the Marlin Hotel Whangaroa Harbour or at the Kaeo 4 square.
We have a take on/take off policy. Everything the charter group takes on board, they must also remove at the end of the charter. This includes rubbish and organic food waste. Our policy is to reduce, recycle, reuse. Experience shows the amount of rubbish created can be greatly reduced by giving some thought as to what to bring, for example, cans are easier to recycle than bottles. We supply one organic rubbish bag and black bags for the recycling. There is a recycling station at Whangaroa Harbour Sports Fishing Club that accepts recyclables free of charge.
Departing from Whangaroa, this 90-minute narrated boat cruise is the best way to get up-close views of Whangaroa Harbour’s unique history and famous landscape.
Combine walking with a scenic boat ride and experience the most beautiful sections of the harbour from the water on this New Zealand water taxi ride.