Boating maps

Rotorua Lakes

The Rotorua lakes provide opportunities for a wide range of recreational activities, including boating, fishing, swimming, kayaking and more active sports like water skiing, jetskiing and power boating.

A number of commercial operators also use the lakes, providing charter boat hire and cruises. Recreational users undoubtedly make up the majority of users; visitors and day-trippers travelling locally, regionally and nationally to spend their leisure time at the lakes.

Scroll through the maps for nine lakes below: Lake Rotorua, Lake Rotoiti, Lake Rotoehu, Lake Rotomā, Lake Ōkataina, Lake Ōkāreka, Lake Tarawera, Lake Tikitapu, Lake Rerewhakaaitu.

If your trip takes you near Whakaari / White Island, make sure you know what to do if there is a volcanic eruption.

Eastern Bay harbours and rivers

The Whakatāne Harbour is a river port primarily servicing a commercial and charter fishing fleet. Because it's so close to fantastic fishing grounds, boaties use this access to the sea every year. The Channel adjacent to Mātaatua Reserve between the game fishing wharf and the main commercial wharf has been designated an engine warm up area for small craft. Small craft may travel at speeds greater than 5 knots compatible with circumstances in an upstream direction only and when no other vessels are passing. Just outside the river mouth is a Jetski and Personal Water Craft (PWC) area as well as a Priority Surfing area.

Ōhiwa Harbour lies 11km east of Whakatāne. Before entering or exiting Ōhiwa Harbour, small boat operators should seek advice from regular users or physically take a look at the bar at low tide. The channels are naturally quite deep however there are numerous sandbanks within the harbour which mean boaties must navigate with caution. Ōhiwa Harbour is a very popular recreational waterway. To help ensure this area can be shared safely some activities have been zoned. For example, Jetski or Personal Water Craft, are not permitted within the majority of Ōhiwa Harbour. make sure you read signs at boat ramps before heading out.

Both Thornton (Rangitāiki) and Ōpōtiki (Waioeka-Otara) port entrances are river mouths which can be dangerous. It’s difficult to provide accurate information about where the deeper water lies because of the shifting nature of the sand bars.

Always:

• Exercise extreme caution.
• If you’re unsure seek local knowledge.
• Only cross during daylight hours.
• Cross towards the top of the tide.

The Thornton bar is a popular spot for surfcasters too. Once ready, make it clear you are about to cross (e.g. horn) and make sure you give the surfcasters time to reel in.

Ōpōtiki Harbour 

A new harbour has been constructed with twin seawalls and dredging, creating a channel to the Ōpōtiki Wharf and an all-tide entrance for most vessels. Ōpōtiki District Council own and manage the wharf and boat ramp. Before you cross the Ōpōtiki Bar, make sure you check the weather and tide conditions before you leave home. And remember, if in doubt, don’t go out.

Scroll through three maps below for: Thornton, Rangitāiki River and Whakatāne River Entrance; Ōhiwa Harbour; Ōpotiki Harbour and Lake Aniwaniwa.