Ahumoana

Council manages a number of marine and boating facilities across the city, for the public and the local marine industry to use.

Boat ramps

We provide seven public boat ramps around the city. There is no charge to launch boats at any of our boat ramps and bookings aren't required.

• Sulphur Point - Marine Park four lane ramp - 60 Cross Road - Suitable for all types of trailer boats and accessible in all tides. Other facilities: pontoons, parking. Maximum vessel length 8m and maximum vessel displacement 4tonnes.
• Sulphur Point - Marine Park six lane ramp - 58 Cross Road - Suitable for all types of trailer boats and accessible in all tides. Other facilities: pontoons, parking, toilets. Maximum vessel length 8m and maximum vessel displacement 4tonnes.
• Pilot Bay ramp - The Mall, Pilot Bay, Mount Maunganui - Suitable for all types of trailer boats and accessible in all tides. Other facilities: very limited parking, toilets.
• Whareroa ramp/Harbour Bridge boat ramp, Taiaho Place, Mount Maunganui - Suitable for all types of trailer boats (subject to head room) and accessible in all tides. Other facilities: pontoons, jetty, parking. Maximum vessel length 8m and maximum vessel displacement 4tonnes. Whareroa boat ramp and carpark is open during the summer from 4am to 9pm, and during the winter from 5am to 7pm. 
• Kulim Park ramp - Kulim Avenue, Bureta - This ramp is currently damaged and not suitable for access. Renewal works are planned over the coming months.
• Fergusson Park ramp, Tilby Drive, Matua - Suitable for small trailer boats and accessible at high tides (ramp useable approximately three hours either side of high tide). Other facilities: parking, toilets. Maximum vessel length 4m and maximum vessel weight 2tonnes. Maximum vehicle/vessel combined weight 4tonnes.
• 6th Avenue ramp - Suitable for small trailer boats and accessible at high tides. Other facilities: limited parking.

Pilot Bay boat ramp

The Pilot Bay boat ramp is located within an active landslide risk area where conditions can change quickly. In some circumstances, access may need to be restricted or closed at short notice to protect public safety.

Boaties using the ramp should be aware that if conditions change while they are on the water, they may not be able to return to the Pilot Bay boat ramp immediately. Alternative mooring locations are available, and users are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the options below before launching.

To stay informed, register for safety alerts by scanning the QR code at the boat ramp or signing up online.

Sign up to receive safety alerts

If access restrictions are introduced, updates will be provided via text alerts, Council channels and Coastguard notifications. Anyone affected by a closure should contact Tauranga City Council via phone 07 577 7000 or email info@tauranga.govt.nz to advise where their vessel has been moored and to receive further information and updates.

Maritime exclusion zone: In the interests of maritime safety, the water surrounding Mauao out to 30m from the water’s edge, is a no-entry area. This means no vessel or person can enter this area except with the express approval of the Harbourmaster. This Direction may be amended, extended or rescinded at any time by the Harbourmaster as considered necessary for the purpose of maritime safety. Harbourmaster Direction pursuant to section 33F(1)(c)(i) of the Maritime Transport Act 1994 and clause 3.11 of the Bay of Plenty Navigation Safety Bylaw 2017: Exclusion Zone – Base of Mauao

If you launched from the Pilot Bay boat ramp and it closes while you're on the water, where should you return to shore?

The following temporary mooring options may be available:

• Salisbury Wharf: Temporary berthage for 1 to 2 days. Capacity for approximately three vessels up to 8m in length.
• The Strand pontoons: Temporary berthage for 1 to 2 days. Capacity for up to two 5m vessels per pontoon.
• Beacon Pontoon (Dive Crescent): Temporary berthage for 1 to 2 days. Capacity for up to two 6m vessels.
• Pilot Bay beach: Smaller vessels may be able to beach temporarily on Pilot Bay, depending on tide and sea conditions. This option may not be suitable for all boats.
• Trinity Wharf pontoon: Temporary berthage for up to 1 day, subject to approval from Trinity Wharf. Capacity for approximately three vessels up to 10m in length.
• Sulphur Point boat ramp: Temporary berthage for 1 to 2 days on the outside pontoons. Capacity for up to two vessels up to 8m in length.
• Harbour anchorage: Boats may be able to anchor within the harbour, subject to conditions and applicable navigation requirements.
• Whareroa boatramp: Temporary berthage for 1 to 2 days, capacity for one to two vessels up to 8m in length.

Please note: Availability may vary depending on site conditions, vessel size and existing demand. Boaties affected by a closure should contact Council 07 577 7000 to advise where their vessel is moored and to receive further updates.

Sulphur Point boat ramp park

The Sulphur Point boat park is a storage facility with the capacity for 76 boats and provides a great opportunity to store your boat securely in a facility close to the boat ramps.

Facilities include:

• security lighting, fencing, CCTV surveillance, 24 hour access, individual swipe tags
• chip sealed, spaces marked and numbered
• dedicated washbay of 8m x 8m, chemical toilet dump station, recycling bins
• close to boat ramps regular maintenance of all facilities.

The Sulphur Point boat parking area has two options available:

• 7m to 9m boat park spaces - waitlist is closed.
• 10m boat park spaces - waitlist open

Apply for a 10m space by emailing leasing@tauranga.govt.nz with your name, boat name, boat/trailer length and contact phone number.

View marine facilities fees

Sulphur point boat park sales plan (481kb pdf)

Terms of Trade document (193kb pdf)

Pilot Bay Dinghy racks

These racks are provided by Tauranga City Council for the storage of dinghies and other small watercraft on a first-come, first-served basis.

Council monitors rack use and may remove any abandoned, unused or unseaworthy watercraft in accordance with clause 7.1 of the Beaches Bylaw, and clause 20.1(b) of the Street Use and Public Places Bylaw.

Council accepts no responsibility for loss, theft or damage to any dinghy/watercraft stored on these racks.

Enquiries relating to vessels or moorings in Pilot Bay are to be referred to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

Wharves and commercial fishing facilities

Council provides a number of facilities across the city to support the fishing and aquaculture industries. These facilities range from public wharves offering short- or long-term berthage, through to areas for offloading of catch and loading of ice.

Facilities for commercial fishing vessels (1.4mb pdf)

Marine facility rules (262kb pdf)

Berthage agreement (215kb pdf)

Tauranga Marine Precinct

The Marine Precinct was established in 2015, which was to help grow the region’s commercial marine sector and create significant economic benefits for the local community. However the precinct never achieved its full potential and ratepayers were funding ongoing operating losses in the order of $1.5 million a year. As a result the Marine Precinct was sold in 2025 after a High Court judgment dismissed an application for an interim injunction to prevent the completion of the sale process. Read the media release: Marine Precinct contract settlement completed.

Marine Precinct LGOIMA responses

Marine Precinct court judgement (912kb pdf)

Marine Precinct court decision on the stay request post court judgement (170kb pdf)

Tauranga Bridge Marina

The Tauranga Bridge Marina is a privately owned and operated modern facility, consisting of 500 fully serviced marina berths.