About Otago Harbour
The Otago Harbour entrance lies between Heyward Point and Taiaroa Head. The harbour channel extends 5 nautical miles to Port Chalmers, then a further 7 nautical miles to the city of Dunedin. From Taiaroa Head to the container terminal at Port Chalmers, the harbour is dredged to accommodate vessels with a maximum draught of 13.5 metres, thus enabling large container ships to make Port Chalmers their final port of call in New Zealand. From Port Chalmers to Dunedin, the channel is dredged to handle vessels with a draught of 7.5 metres.



Facilities
COORDINATES
-45.80850 N, 170.62739 E
Port Information
Telephone
Berth Sizes
< 10m, 10-20m
Manoeuvrability
Fair
VHF Channel
VHF CH 14
Overseas Visitor Berths
Yes
Tidal Flow
Negligible
Active Winter
Yes
Weather Forecast
Fri
5AM - 9AM
27 February 2026
- W 14 knots decreasing to 8 knots. Gusts up to 22 knots.
- 7 to 10°C
- S 0.8m at 7s period
- UV Index: 0 - Low
- Mostly fine
Fri
9AM - 1PM
27 February 2026
- SW 6–12 knots.
- 10 to 12°C
- S 0.8m at 7s period
- UV Index: 6 - High
- Mostly fine
Fri
1PM - 5PM
27 February 2026
- S 6–8 knots backing SE 6-8 knots.
- 12°C
- S 0.8m at 7s period
- UV Index: 6 - High
- Partly cloudy