Haven in the Bay: self-contained 3 bedroom waterfront beach house
This waterfront beach house is nestled in the centre of Urquharts Bay, a quiet haven on the Whangarei Harbour. Located 33km from central Whangarei city, the property is unique because it offers such a diverse range of holiday options. If visitors just want to rest and relax, they can sit peacefully on the north-facing deck and watch the world go by. There is always something happening in the bay below or further up the harbour. From people going fishing and diving, windsurfers skimming across the waves, families swimming and people beachcombing. While the main shoreline of the beach is pebbley, and beach shoes are recommended, there are sandy beaches at each end. It is very safe and an ideal spot for youngsters to learn to kayak. Boaties find Urquharts Bay easy for launching, with a concrete ramp that can be used in all tides (4x4 is recommended). Just a short boat ride from shore, you can catch your dinner or dive for scallops. And for those with larger boats, the Hen and Chicken Islands are further off the coast and reknowned for diving. Without a boat, it's a short walk along to the Urquharts Bay jetty - another popular local fishing spot. For those wanting to challenge themselves physically while enjoying the stunning coastal enviornment, there are 11 specially developed walking tracks in the area. These vary in fitness levels and duration. From Urquharts Bay, you can explore the Smugglers Bay walk and the Peach Cove track. It's a short drive to the base of Mt Manaia - a challenging walk with breathtaking views of the coastline. For surfers, Ocean Beach, is only six minutes drive away. The beach is patrolled in summer. En route to Urquharts Bay, visitors can collect extra provisions from the Four Square at Parua Bay, and there is a BP service station. The Parua Bay Tavern is also on the way, and there are cafes at Parua Bay and McLeods Bay. Emergency supplies can also be purchased at the nearby Taurikura Store. Check in 3pm, check out 11am. Special conditions: Kayaks - Two kayaks with adult size lifejackets. Property Access - Trailers and large vehicles are not permitted at the rear of the property. The concrete driveway to this area is narrow and turning is tight. There is ample room for parking boats and trailers at the front of the property off-road. Beach Footwear - The shoreline of Urquharts Bay is stoney in places, so beach shoes are recommended.
Extras: Cleaning (Required, NZ$60.00 per stay); Bedding /sheets/tea towels and towels provided)
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
The concrete driveway access to the rear of the property is narrow, so large vehicles and trailers are restricted from using this driveway.
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Frequently asked questions
Is Haven in the Bay: self-contained 3 bedroom waterfront beach house pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Haven in the Bay: self-contained 3 bedroom waterfront beach house?
As of 9 April 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Haven in the Bay: self-contained 3 bedroom waterfront beach house on 25 April 2026 start from NZ$198, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Haven in the Bay: self-contained 3 bedroom waterfront beach house?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Haven in the Bay: self-contained 3 bedroom waterfront beach house?
Check-in begins at 3:30 PM.
What time is check-out at Haven in the Bay: self-contained 3 bedroom waterfront beach house?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Haven in the Bay: self-contained 3 bedroom waterfront beach house located?
Nestled on the beach, this Whangarei Heads holiday home is 1.4 mi (2.2 km) from Taurikura Bay and 2.8 mi (4.5 km) from Ocean Beach. Mount Manaia and Mcleod Bay are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
This was the third time that we have stayed at Haven in the Bay. Great bach, very clean with awesome views and a boat ramp pretty much in front of the house. We love it there with loads to do in the area. Hope to be back again!
Shand P.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 26 January 2026
So great to have you back for your 3rd stay! Definitely welcome back.
The ever changing action on the bay & the peaceful location combined to make a great weeks stay
Wally S.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 29 April 2023
So pleased you enjoyed Urquharts Bay and the harbour views. The house was left so tidy and clean. Thank you and we’d certainly recommend you to future hosts.
Verified
8/10 Good
Demelza O.
1 May 2019
Great time
Really enjoyed our stay. Awesome location! Owner was great to deal with.
Demelza O.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 29 March 2020
Very tidy and easy to deal with guests. Welcome back anytime.
This was our second time staying here and we really enjoyed it! Awesome location and great amenities. Karen was lovely to deal with. Would highly recommend.
Demelza O.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 14 January 2025
Always heartwarming to have returning guests and to receive a great review. Demelza’s group left the house in wonderful order and we’d definitely recommend them to future hosts.
This Bach was amazing, so clean, has everything you could think of! Feels like a home away from home. Stunning views from the Deck, we were even lucky enough to see Orcas in the bay!Amazing beaches and walks right outside the front door. Location was perfect.Hosts left great instructions, and are so friendly and helpful! We will definitely be back!
Such a nice little home away from home! We really enjoyed our time away and the kids were very entertained with the availability of games. Really nice, clean and cosy place
Ocean View was perfect for us. From the very start Karen was so lovely and accommodating - all instructions were clear, everything worked and most importantly for me the house was clean. The view was spectacular and was so close to our whanau. Our son made friends with two particular seagulls (sorry neighbours). We will definitely book again when we travel up next.
What an amazing place! There is absolutely nothing you can fault. The accommodation is even better than the photo's show. The place is spotless, very well equipped and the views are just breathtaking. Karen was fabulous to deal with and I can not recommend this accommodation highly enough.
Awesome place to catch up with friends enjoy the tranquility of the Heads - no need for tv - there is so much to see on the water including the waterskiing dog! Firewood available and made our stay that much more cozy! Thanks 😊
Stacey S.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Jean G.
8 January 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy
Couldn't ask for a better spot!
A lovely homely environment with all the comforts and facilities met. Wonderful peaceful location with an absolute stunner of a view and sunset evenings. Close to many coastal walks with beautiful scenery.especially with the Pohutukawa flowers being in full blossom...a sight to behold.
We loved our stay at Urquharts Bay. Great location with awesome views down the harbour. Easy access to all tide boat ramps and the fishing was good for us in the entrance. The house has everything you need and plenty of shade on the back deck when its baking out the front. Heaps to do in the area with Ocean Beach not far away and plenty of nice walks to other bays on your door step.
We would love to come back one day!
Absolutely loved our stay at the far end of Whangarei Heads. Such easy access to swim and hike. We enjoyed simply relaxing on the deck watching the tide come in and out. Visiting town was a scenic winding road - happy to explore, shop and eat, but always wanted to return 'home'. Thank you Karen for sharing your piece of paradise. It's always a pleasure for us
gray nomads to find such a perfect spot to nest for awhile.
This lovely property has just what you need for a beachside holiday.
We were only there for a short weekend so did not have the chance to make full use of all there was to offer. The kayaks were calling for us but unfortunately we didn’t have time. The view is stunning, the house is homely, it had everything we needed. Karen provided all the tips, tricks and need to knows with super fast communication. Thank you for sharing your place with us.
Brooke L.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 29 April 2023
Hopefully you'll be able to make it back to enjoy more of the Whangarei Heads area. Thanks for being great guests.
Fantastic location and an awesome house to stay at, really hope to get to stay there again! Straight across the road from the end of the drive, into the sea. Lovely pohutakawa tree right therer with a rope bench seat in the shade to gently swing on while watching the kids in the water. Just the most relaxing place in the world.
Dom M.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2022
About the host
Hosted by Karen Clearwater
What makes this property unique
Our property has expansive views across Urquharts Bay and the Whangarei Harbour. You'll never be bored as there is always something to look at and something to do. If the weather's good you can walk, swim, go boating, kayak or take a short drive to Ocean Beach and go surfing. If the weather isn't so good, then you can stay cosy and warm inside with a favourite book, board game, music, DVD or tune into Netflix using Chromecast. The property offers a homely comfort feel. It's private and there is plenty of parking for vehicles and a boat