Living in Northland

Crossing harbour bars

Northland has a number of bar harbours, that is harbours that have a sand bar across the entrance creating dangerous conditions in certain winds and tides.

Bar harbours include:

  • East Coast - Mangawhai and Parengarenga; and
  • West Coast - Whangape, Herekino, Hokianga and the Kaipara.

Local advice and knowledge, as well as experience, is required before attempting to cross the bars.

Before you cross a bar

There are 10 important safety tips you should follow:

  1. Check the weather, tide and bar conditions
  2. Contact coastguard or maritime radio immediately prior to crossing
  3. Ensure adequate stability
  4. Batten down
  5. Lifejackets must be worn and all crew must be awake
  6. Approach at moderate speed
  7. Post a lookout to monitor sea conditions astern
  8. Communicate your successful crossing to coastguard or maritime radio
  9. If in doubt — don t cross
  10. Avoid ebb tide

pdf logo.Download safety procedures and advice from Maritime New Zealand (91 KB)