Boat ramps in New Zealand

This map shows 978 public boat ramps and slipways around New Zealand, on the coast, lakes and rivers. Pick a region to zoom in, tap a ramp for directions, or find the ramps nearest you. Check fees, parking and tide access locally before you tow: most ramps don't have those mapped yet.

A family getting an aluminium runabout ready in the shallows at Stanmore Bay, the children in lifejackets
Image: KazzaMiller, Wikimedia Commons, cropped · CC BY-SA 4.0
Ramps © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Coastline: Natural Earth.

Tap the map to pick the nearest ramp, or choose a region to zoom in.

Auckland 344 ramps
Bay of Plenty 76 ramps
Canterbury 80 ramps
Gisborne 5 ramps
Hawke's Bay 15 ramps
Manawatū-Whanganui 17 ramps
Marlborough 16 ramps
Nelson 6 ramps
Northland 85 ramps
Otago 67 ramps
Southland 35 ramps
Taranaki 17 ramps
Tasman 21 ramps
Waikato 135 ramps
Wellington 42 ramps
West Coast 17 ramps

Before you tow

The map shows where the ramps are. It doesn’t yet show the things that decide whether a ramp suits your boat, so check them locally:

  • Tide access. Many ramps are only usable for a few hours either side of high tide, and some dry out completely at low tide. Ask at the local tackle shop or club, or look at the ramp at low tide before you rely on it.
  • Fees and permits. Some councils and ports charge a launch fee or need a permit, and some charge for parking.
  • Parking. Popular ramps fill early on summer weekends, and some car parks don’t take trailers.
  • Bars and conditions. Check the marine forecast, and if you’re crossing a bar, get local advice first and log a trip report with Coastguard.

Wear your lifejacket: on boats 6 metres or under it’s compulsory while you’re underway. See life jackets NZ and the fishing rules for your area.

Where the data comes from

The ramps come from OpenStreetMap, the open map made by volunteers, exported on 24 October 2026. We’ve left out ramps mapped as private or customers-only, and merged ramps mapped twice. Fewer than 1 in 20 has a name on the map, so we name the rest by the nearest place. If a ramp is missing, closed or private, you can fix it on OpenStreetMap, and we pick up the change the next time we update the map.

Questions

Where is the nearest boat ramp?

Use “Ramps near me” on the map. It finds the six public ramps closest to you, with the distance in a straight line and a link for directions. Your location is worked out in your browser and isn't sent to us.

Do you have to pay to launch at a boat ramp in New Zealand?

Many council ramps are free, but some councils and ports charge a launch fee or need an annual permit, and some charge for parking. Fees and permits change, often each July, so check the council or harbourmaster's page for the ramp before you go.

Can I launch at any boat ramp?

Public ramps are open to anyone, though some have locked gates, opening hours or rules for jet skis. Ramps on private land, clubs and marinas need permission. We leave out ramps mapped as private, but a few untagged private slipways may still show; if you find one, tell us.

Sources (1)
  1. OpenStreetMap contributors, boat ramps and slipways (leisure=slipway), exported 24 October 2026, ODbL 1.0