Exploring Limestone Bay
Limestone Bay, located along Abel Tasman Drive after departing from Pōhara, is a striking coastal destination. This bay has a particularly striking marina, with a claw shape that juts out into Golden Bay. The shape and walls are designed to protect it from the sometimes capricious weather of Cook Strait. The dramatic limestone cliffs at the marina's northeast end add to the area's distinct landscape. As you drive through Limestone Bay, the road takes you through a short tunnel carved directly into the cliff face.
From Commercial Wharf to Marina
Limestone Bay Marina, part of the broader Tarakohe Harbour area in Golden Bay, has evolved significantly over the past century from its industrial origins to a modern mixed-use facility. The site first served as a key shipping point for the Golden Bay Cement Company in the early 1900s, with a commercial wharf constructed in 1910 to support the export of cement and other materials. For decades, the harbour remained primarily industrial, until the early 2000s when the focus began shifting toward recreational and community use.
In 2005, the marina was officially developed with the installation of floating pontoons and berths to accommodate local fishing boats and recreational boats. Since then, the facility has continued to grow, and in 2024, it entered a new phase of expansion aimed at increasing berth capacity, infrastructure, and services for commercial and recreational users.
How to Get There
From Tākaka, take Abel Tasman Drive northwest towards Pōhara on the coast. The road then closely traces the coastline, leading you directly to the bay.
Other places to visit along he road include Grove Track, Abel Tasman Monument, Ligar Bay, Tata Beach, Wainui Bay and Wainui Falls, within Abel Tasman National Park.
