I have been coming to Westhaven Marina for over 45 years, initially sailing and mooring the boat at the marina and then doing business for over 28 years based at the Marina. Westhaven Marina, Auckland is an excellent facility located in the heart of the city. I’ve seen a lot of changes over the years when Beaumont St on the Westhaven side had to be all marine industry.  Westhaven’s gone through many changes over the years, now with various cafes and restaurants, but it is always a great place to visit, stroll the boardwalks, view the boats, and sample the cuisine. 

Westhaven Marina, the heart of boating in Auckland, is a short walk from the city centre. It is immediately recognisable as an icon of New Zealand’s seafaring know-how.

Having been associated with the marina for the past 50 years, we’ve seen many changes.

During the 1950s, the foreshore of St Mary’s Bay disappeared under the approaches to the Auckland Harbour Bridge. For over a century, St Mary’s Bay had been the location of several small commercial boatyards mixed in with the private moorings from houses set on the harbour cliffs above the bay. All these facilities were cut off from the water.

During the 1950s, the foreshore of St Mary’s Bay disappeared under the approaches to the Auckland Harbour Bridge. For over a century, St Mary’s Bay had been the location of several small commercial boatyards mixed in with the private moorings from houses set on the harbour cliffs above the bay. All these facilities were cut off from the water.

The Auckland Harbour Board planned to fill Westhaven. Still, some residents, including engineers and architects, donated their services to create Westhaven Marina, now one of Auckland’s greatest assets. If not for this initiative, the entire area might have become a continuation of the Western Reclamation industrial waterfront areas to the east.

Westhaven is the largest marina in the Southern Hemisphere, with nearly 2,000 berths and pile moorings, and tends to be continually booked. In 2008, it received its second-time-running international ‘Blue Flag award’ for its water quality, environmental management and safety standards. It is one of 640 marinas worldwide (and the only marina in New Zealand) to have received the award. The area is surrounded by cafes, restaurants, boardwalks, four sailing clubs, and green areas that provide enjoyment. The marina office is very helpful in ensuring boat owners and contractors are well looked after. Their staff are friendly and accommodating and happy to assist with any queries.