Doubtless and Whangaroa Bays

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Doubtless and Whangaroa Bays Regional Information

Located on the east coast of the upper North Island, Doubtless Bay enjoys a warm, sub-tropical climate, with over 70 kilometres of coastline and peaceful beaches. With its white sands and safe swimming waters, the bay is an attractive travel destination or place to live. The Doubtless Bay region covers the area from Taupo Bay in the east to the Karikari Peninsula in the west, including Cooper's Beach, Hihi, Cable Bay, Whatuwhiwhi and Taipa.

There are many places to stay, as well as eateries serving food created from locally harvested seafood and produce. The area is dominated by the bay and its waters, offering plenty of opportunity for activities such as fishing, diving, surfing and swimming.

To the south of Doubtless Bay, lies the Whangaroa Harbour, also a site with a focus on the ocean. The harbour itself is a system of drowned rivers, which has brought about some very unusual rock structures. The township of Whangaroa is a quiet location, from which you can view the rocky pinnacle known as St Paul and its twin, St Peter, which faces it across the water.

At Matauri Bay, in the Whangaroa district, you can visit the ill-fated Greenpeace vessel the Rainbow Warrior, which was bombed and sunk by French agents in 1985, causing the death of Fernando Pereira. The site is known worldwide as a spectacular dive location. The Rainbow Warrior attack occurred in Auckland, but the ship was sunk as a dive attraction at Matauri Bay in 1987. You can also see a memorial monument to the event on the headland.

Much earlier in the area's history, another tragic shipping event occurred. In 1809, the Boyd anchored in the Whangaroa Harbour and was boarded by a number of Maori. The ship's crew and passengers were massacred to avenge the ill treatment of the young chief, Te Ara. During the attack, the Boyd caught fire and sank in the harbour, where it lies to this day. During the late 19th century, the harbour became a base for the timber, gum digging and ship building industries. It was also a base for whalers in the early 1900's.

Today, Whangaroa Harbour provides visitors with scope for many holiday activities: camping on the waterfront, horse trekking, swimming at sandy beaches, fishing, diving, chartered boat trips and tours to the nearby Cavalli Islands. The Whangaroa township has earned a reputation as New Zealand's 'Marlin Capital' and a top destination for big game fishers. Many sport and big game fishing charters are on offer in the area, giving novices and experienced fishers the chance to try their luck at catching Marlin, Shark and Tuna. The Whangaroa Big Gamefish Club hosts many fishing tournaments during the year in the harbour and surrounding area. Bush walking is another popular activity in the region, with a diversity of plant life and amazing ocean views.

For those who enjoy a round of golf, you can do so while soaking up the stunning coastal scenery. The award winning Kauri Cliffs golf course has been named as one of the top 100 courses in the world and offers views of the Pacific Ocean from 15 holes, six of which are played alongside cliffs which plunge down to the sea. This par 72 championship golf course challenges all skill levels.

Navigate with our great Doubtless and Whangaroa Bays map to stay on the right track and find what you're looking for when traveling in the region. While you're on the road, be prepared for all seasons with weather forecasts, reports and current information on Northland weather.

For further information on visiting the Doubtless Bay and Whangaroa Harbour area, visit Destination Northland or the Te Ara Encyclopedia.