the harbour of golden Bay
Golden Bay is a natural deep water harbour
Golden Bay is situated on the western entrance to Cook Strait on the north-west corner of the South Island of New Zealand. Golden Bay is a large, fully enclosed, natural harbour protected from the open seas by Farewell Spit.
Within Golden Bay there is a sheltered deep-water area measuring 12 nautical miles by 7 nautical miles, with depths of 20 metres to 30 metres at chart datum.
Golden Bay harbour - a safe haven
No large ocean swells can enter this enclosed bay thus providing safe anchorage for vessels of all sizes.
Golden Bay has a soft sand substrate floor that never needs dredging, and there is no need to build additional sea walls for wave protection.
Inside Golden Bay Harbour is Port Tarakohe. A purpose built, Maritime Safety Authority accredited, Lloyds registered, safe all weather Port.