Cruising

Useful information for boaties who go cruising locally or offshore as well as for those who just enjoy heading out on the water. 

• Education
• Safety inspections (racing and cruising)
• Marine Services
• Recommended publications
• Weather information
• Related links

Education

It is vital that people have the skills and experience to be safe and enjoy their intended journey, whether to a nearby island or the Pacific Islands. 

Below is a link to some providers of training and education.

Yachting New Zealand

• Learn to Sail courses

• Find somewhere to learn

• Commercial maritime members

Coastguard Boating Education

• https://www.boatingeducation.org.nz/courses/

  • Boatmaster

  • VHF

  • Powerboat

  • Sea survival

  • Medic

Seawise Boating Education

• http://www.seawise.info/

  • Sea survival

Island Cruising Association

• http://www.islandcruising.co.nz/

Maritime New Zealand radio operator handbook

• https://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/commercial/documents/Radio-Handbook.pdf

Safety inspections (racing and cruising)

Yachting New Zealand carry out inspections and issues category 1 certificates for New Zealand-registered vessels leaving New Zealand.

Yacht inspectors are also a valuable source of advice and support for people preparing their vessels for cruising.

For more information on finding an inspector or about the inspection process, go here.

Marine Services

To find a marine goods and services providers, see the NZ marine directory:

• http://www.nzmarine.com/directory

Recommended publications

There are many cruising publications available. Here are a few we recommend and most can be found online or in book stores.

• Pickmere Atlas by A. H. Pickmere and Janet M. Watkins

• Royal Akarana Yacht Club Coastal Cruising Handbook (https://rayc.co.nz/product/coastal-cruising-handbook/)

• New Zealand’s Hauraki Gulf by David Thatcher

• New Zealand’s Northland Coast by David Thatcher

• Island Cruising Association cruising guides (http://www.islandcruising.co.nz/) 

• Boat Books (https://www.boatbooks.co.nz/cruznz.html)

Weather information

• PredictWind - https://www.predictwind.com

• Windguru - https://www.windguru.cz

• MetVUW - http://www.metvuw.com

• Windy - https://www.windy.com

• MetService - http://www.metservice.com

• Tidal information - http://www.boaties.co.nz/tides

Other useful links

Boaties

A useful resource, including a list of many of the marinas in New Zealand and their facilities.

• http://www.boaties.co.nz

Maritime New Zealand

• www.maritimenz.govt.nz

Yachting New Zealand Safety Regulations

• Safety regulations