WHANGAPARĀOA FISHING FIELD GUIDE
Jetski Through the Hauraki Gulf: A Four‑Hour Islands Safari to Shipwrecks, Secluded Beaches and Kawau’s Mansion House
A 4-hour guided jetski expedition from Big Manly Beach with Hibiscus Jet Ski Hire that visits Motuora, Moturekareka, Motuketekete and Kawau Island with swim stops and wildlife viewing.
Jetski Through the Hauraki Gulf: A Four‑Hour Islands Safari to Shipwrecks, Secluded Beaches and Kawau’s Mansion House.
This exhilarating expedition runs from Big Manly Beach into the Hauraki Gulf aboard new Yamaha jetskis. Over four hours you’ll hop between Motuora, Moturekareka and Motuketekete to inspect the Rewa shipwreck and the Blanche Channel, skirt Taungamaro (Beehive Island) and Dispute Cove, then pause at Kawau Island’s Mansion House and Bay Café for a leg stretch, coffee and access to facilities before returning to Whangaparāoa Peninsula.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Island hops and the Rewa shipwreck
The route takes you north from Whangaparāoa to Motuora, then to Moturekareka and Motuketekete where the Rewa — once a 309‑foot, 3,000‑ton four‑masted steel barque — lies half submerged in a sheltered bay.
Chance encounters with stingrays, kahawai and more
Throughout the safari you may spot local marine life from jumping kahawai to stingrays, and there is the possibility of whales and dolphins while transiting the gulf.
Mansion House Bay pause on Kawau
The Kawau stop includes the scenic Mansion House and Bay Café where you can stretch your legs, have a coffee and use the bathrooms before the return leg.
What the day feels like
What the four hours feel like
The trip unfolds as a sequence of short crossings and sheltered stops: a roughly 30‑minute run to Motuora Island with time to anchor and swim or snorkel in clear water; a shorter hop (about 10 minutes) to Moturekareka and Motuketekete to view the Rewa wreck and swim in the sheltered bay behind it; then a passage toward Kawau Island, passing Taungamaro (Beehive Island) and Dispute Cove before a comfort stop at Mansion House and Bay Café, and a final southbound leg back to the Whangaparāoa launch point.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits — and the key age rules to know.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The safari is 4 hours long and departs from Big Manly Beach on Whangaparāoa Peninsula.
Available add‑ons and kit options include Sea Biscuit, a Photo & Video Pack, a Fishing Kit, and Oysters & Caviar.
There is a planned break at Mansion House and Bay Café on Kawau Island where you can get coffee and use the bathrooms.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Islands Safari?
The trip duration is 4 hours.
Where does the trip depart from?
The excursion begins from Big Manly Beach on Whangaparāoa Peninsula.
What are the age requirements for hiring or driving a jetski?
The hirer must be 16 years and older to hire a jetski, and all drivers must be 16 years and older. There is no age limit for passengers.
Will there be opportunities to swim or snorkel?
Yes. The itinerary includes stops—such as Motuora and the sheltered bay behind the Rewa wreck—where the group can drop anchor and have a swim or snorkel.
Which islands and sights are included on the route?
The safari visits Motuora, Moturekareka and Motuketekete (including the Rewa shipwreck), passes Taungamaro (Beehive Island) and Dispute Cove, and stops at Kawau Island for Mansion House and Bay Café.
Is wildlife viewing part of the trip?
Yes. The trip may include sightings of jumping kahawai, stingrays, and potentially whales and dolphins while transiting the gulf.