Boat ramps

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The Tasman coast is subject to NZ’s largest tidal range. Check for hazards including logs and sandbanks before heading out for serious watersports. Many channels and bars should only be attempted with local knowledge or on a rising tide on a calm day.

Boat ramps and beach launching lanes are situated at:

Best Island (*)
Rough Island (*) – at Hunter Brown Reserve
Moturoa/Rabbit Island (S) – access from Boat Ramp Road
Māpua – at the wharf (#, S ) and at Grossi Point (*)
Kina (*) – at Baigent’s Reserve
Motueka – at Motueka Power Boat Club marina (#, S). Casual users pay at Talley’s gatehouse.
Riwaka (S,*) – end of Green Tree Road
Tapu Bay reserve (*)
Stephens Bay
Kaiteriteri (#, S,*)
Otūwhero Estuary (S,*)
Mārahau (S,*) – The public boat ramp is on Sandy Bay-Mārahau Road. This recreation map shows the location. Please note: Mārahau Beach, to the north of the public boat ramp, is private property and no boats, jet skis, powered craft or kayaks are permitted to launch or land there.
Awaroa Inlet (at end of road) (*)
Tōtaranui – at beach (S) and estuary (S,*)
Tata Beach (S)
Tarakohe (#, S)
Port Waitapu (*)
Rangihaeata (*)
Paton Rock
Onekaka (*)
Milnthorpe
Collingwood (#, S)
Pākawau – at the motor camp
Pūponga (*)
Westhaven Inlet (*) – Dry Road (just west of Kaihoka Lakes Road) and at Mangarākau Wharf (S)
Lake Rotoiti (S) – three ramps in Kerr Bay, one ramp at West Bay
Lake Rotoroa (S)
Buller River at Murchison (S) – access through Riverview Holiday Park

(*) Indicates areas that are subject to significant tidal effects and may be usable only on a high tide with local knowledge.

(#) Indicates that a small usage fee is payable for maintenance

(S) Indicates that the ramp is sealed with concrete or asphalt

Note: Take care to avoid scouring holes when using unsealed ramps. Please fill any holes you create and notify the harbour master if a hazard exists. Use your winch rather than powering onto your trailer.

Maritime Charges	Charges from 1 July 2024 incl. GST
Subject to the Mooring Area Bylaw 2020 being enacted, and the Mooring Area provisions in Plan Change 72 to the Tasman Resource Management Plan being operative, the following proposed mooring charges will be in force.
Mooring Licence
Application and renewal of existing mooring licence For new applications or renewal of expiring mooring licences with substantial changes or lack of inspection report	$372.00
Annual monitoring and administration fee	$206.00
Renewal of existing mooring licence A renewal application where there are no substantial changes required to the mooring licence conditions and where all inspection reports	$125.00
Late payment fee (for annual renewal)	Additional 20%
Additional costs Reimbursement of any reasonable and necessary additional costs incurred by Council in assessing an application or enforcing compliance	$206.00/hr
Waitlist Administration cost	$63.00
The following navigation safety levies will be applied to all vessels over 500 gross tonnes that anchor within the Tasman Harbour Limits with the exemption of any vessel berthing at Port Nelson facilities for less than 12 hours (not applied to ships that are visiting Port Nelson within 24 hours of anchoring):
Cruise vessels	$28.00 per metre of vessel per visit
Cargo vessels	$0.50/ gross tonnage per visit
Other vessels	$0.55/ gross tonnage per visit
Extended anchoring (in addition to the appropriate per visit charge)	$0.11/ gross tonnage per week or part thereof
Miscellaneous
Trans-shipping (per tonne trans-shipped)	$0.28
Use of Sentinel for non-emergency work (includes two crew)	No change

Boat ramps

Boat ramps

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