Cruising Destination: Moturekareka Island

The Hauraki Gulf is full of beautiful islands, sheltered bays and quiet anchorages, and some of the best spots are those a little removed from the more familiar cruising destinations.

Moturekareka Island, located just south of Kawau Island, is one of them.

Surrounded by native bush and the waters of the Gulf, Moturekareka offers a peaceful place to drop anchor and spend a few hours enjoying life on the water. Whether you’re looking for somewhere to stop for lunch onboard, take a swim, explore beneath the surface or simply relax away from the busier bays, it’s a rewarding addition to a day out on the boat.

Its position among the islands north of Auckland also makes it a great stop to incorporate into a wider Hauraki Gulf cruise, particularly for boaties heading towards Kawau Island and the surrounding coastline.

A Quieter Side of the Hauraki Gulf

Part of Moturekareka’s appeal is its simplicity. You don’t need a packed itinerary once you arrive. Find a suitable spot to anchor, settle in and enjoy the surroundings.

On a good day, the sheltered waters around the island provide a beautiful setting for swimming and exploring from the boat. The bush-covered shoreline gives Moturekareka a wonderfully secluded feel, despite being within cruising distance of Auckland.

It’s the kind of destination that encourages you to slow down. Bring lunch, spend some time on deck and enjoy a few hours surrounded by the Gulf before continuing on to your next stop.

But there’s also something particularly unusual waiting beneath the water.

Discover the Wreck of the Rewa

Moturekareka Island is home to one of the Hauraki Gulf’s more intriguing pieces of maritime history: the remains of the Rewa.

The Rewa was a four-masted steel barque launched in England in 1889, during an era when large sailing vessels were an important part of international trade and transport.

After a long life at sea, the vessel eventually found its final resting place in New Zealand. In 1930, the Rewa was deliberately scuttled off Moturekareka Island as part of an attempt to create a breakwater and provide greater shelter around the island.

More than 90 years later, remnants of the vessel remain in the water.

Today, the wreck adds another dimension to a visit to Moturekareka. Parts can still be seen beneath the surface, providing an interesting place to explore for snorkellers and a fascinating reminder of the Gulf’s long maritime history.

There’s something quite special about anchoring beside an island and knowing that a vessel built on the other side of the world more than a century ago lies just beneath the water nearby.

Make It Part of a Day on the Gulf

One of the advantages of boating in the Hauraki Gulf is the ability to combine several destinations into a single trip, and Moturekareka works particularly well as part of a wider day exploring the area.

Stop for a swim, enjoy lunch onboard or spend some time taking in the scenery before continuing towards Kawau Island or another nearby anchorage.

Alternatively, make Moturekareka the destination itself. Pack some food, bring the snorkelling gear and enjoy a slower day on the water away from the crowds.

As always when cruising the Gulf, conditions can change quickly, so check the latest marine forecast, charts and local conditions before setting out and choose an anchorage appropriate for the weather on the day.

A Hauraki Gulf Stop Worth Discovering

With its native bush, peaceful surroundings and a fascinating piece of maritime history beneath the surface, Moturekareka Island offers much more than somewhere to simply drop anchor.

It’s quiet, scenic and a little different from some of the Hauraki Gulf’s better-known destinations - exactly the sort of place that makes exploring the Gulf by boat so rewarding.

If you haven’t stopped at Moturekareka before, consider adding it to the cruising list for your next adventure.

Thinking about stopping at Fairway Bay Marina? The Hauraki Gulf is right on your doorstep, with countless islands, bays and anchorages waiting to be explored.