Ewincher Reader's Choice Favourite Anchorage ~ Boating NZ

Boating NZ readers were asked to share their favourite anchorages with us, accompanied by a photo if possible, and explain why they liked it so much.

From the dozens of entries received, we’ve drawn one at random to receive an Ewincher 2 electric winch handle valued at $3,900.00

The winning entry is from Mark Lesniak, who chose Coralie Bay, Great Mercury Island, as his favourite anchorage. Mark’s favourite heads up our pictorial feature, supported by some of the other entries and their reasons for submitting their choices.

Congratulations Mark – your Ewincher has already been presented to you (Boat World). We hope you enjoy it.

WINNER – MARK LESNIAK

CORALIE BAY, GREAT MERCURY ISLAND

Lovely sheltered bay and you can see the anchor sitting in the sand in 6 metres of water.

RUNNER UP – SARAH LINCOLN

PEACH GROVE BAY, GREAT MERCURY ISLAND

One of the most beautiful places in NZ – white sand crystal- clear water.

RUNNER UP – MELISSA LOGAN

GARDEN COVE, WAIHEKE ISLAND

A (mostly) one-boat bay with awesome views up the hill. Idyllic

RUNNER UP – SEAN MARSHALL

THE COVE, ARID ISLAND

Love the remoteness and the crayfish.

RUNNER UP – PHIL SCAIFE

KETU BAY, MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS

Perfect spot for a fish and to walk the dog on the beach. Just bliss.

COMMENDED – DANA MORCAN

POVERTY BAY

Peaceful, historical and with gorgeous views from every angle, including across the bay to Young Nick’s Head at the southern end of the bay. In this photo, you can see the Endeavour replica coming into the bay during the Tuia 250 voyage celebration in 2019.

COMMENDED – MIKE & SASHA, SV MOONFISH

NAMOTU ISLAND, FIJI

Namotu Island is by far our favourite anchorage because the water is crystal-clear, there is a perfect right-hand surf break on the eastern side of the island and another equally perfect left-hand surf break on the western side, both of which you can paddle to from where our boat is anchored. The air temp is a balmy 27°, with a sea temperature to match. The boat is often surrounded by tropical fish, and the odd turtle swings by to say Hi, too. We’ve even watched whales from this spot

COMMENDED – MIKE GIBBS

KAIORURU/CHURCH BAY, LYTTELTON HARBOUR

This quintessential Kiwi boat shed looks like so many dotting the coast but unlike most of those rusty relics, this one is loved and still in the family that first built it. Generations of kids have learned to sail and boat from its slipway and endless summer evenings have been spent sitting just inside the door with drink in hand, sucking up the peace that can only be found at the end of a day on the water. Ahhh… true bliss!

COMMENDED – LINDSAY HULL

MOTUAROHIA/ ROBERTON ISLAND, BAY OF ISLANDS

It’s so peaceful and I woke up to whales around the boat the other morning.

COMMENDED – MAGGY STAPLES

LOCH SCAVAIG, ISLE OF SKYE, SCOTLAND

Our yacht Strongbow in Loch Scavaig, Skye.

COMMENDED – VANESSA ASHLEY-CARIS

ARMY BAY, MOTURUA, BAY OF ISLANDS

A great 2.5-hour walk around an island with loads of archeological, historical and natural history.

LAST WORD BY – KELSEY MUIR

HOBBS BEACH, TIRITIRI MATANGI

One of those places that is still a treat because the weather has to be just right to stay overnight, even though it’s only an hour from Gulf Harbour. It has everything: there’s the scenery with a 10/10 beach, clear water, native bush down to the sand with nearly all the native birds, no baches, swimming, good snorkelling, plenty of shore walks and somewhere to get an ice cream. At about 3 or 4pm, the day-trippers all leave, and you have the bay to yourself. AND it’s perfectly orientated for sunset beers.

KIWIRIKI BAY, PORT FITZROY, GREAT BARRIER ISLAND

A great spot in an ex-cyclone, as in 1978-ish. Also, the first place I saw kaka flying above the forest.
TEXT ENTRY – DOUG NICHOL

WATTLE BAY, MANUKAU HARBOUR

Surely the best place to moor up for a week as an Aucklander (in my opinion) is Wattle Bay with its blowhole, the serenity, soft sand and lovely clear water that’s safe to swim in no matter what the tide is doing. Plus, you can day-trip to the historic lighthouse or check out an old cottage where a local legend wrote a book about the Manukau Heads.

TEXT ENTRY – SANDY LASHBROOK