Coffs Harbour cruising guide for yachts. Coffs Harbour is one of the most important operational ports on the New South Wales coast, functioning as a genuine all‑weather refuge and a fully serviced stop for yachts running the northern NSW passage. The harbour is enclosed by substantial breakwaters and accessed via a dredged channel, giving skippers a predictable, charted approach rather than a bar crossing. For vessels moving between Port Stephens, Port Macquarie, Yamba and the Gold Coast, Coffs Harbour is a primary waypoint because it offers reliable depths, safe entry in most conditions, and the ability to refuel, repair and reprovision in one stop.
The town behind the harbour is large enough to support full provisioning, haul‑out and specialist marine trades, but compact enough that everything sits within a short taxi or rideshare radius of the marina. Coffs Harbour International Marina centralises berthing, fuel, water, sewage pump‑out, haul‑out, chandlery and access to local trades, while the CBD provides major supermarkets, a weekly growers’ market and a working fishermen’s co‑operative on the harbour itself. For skippers planning coastal passages, Coffs Harbour remains one of the few ports on this stretch of coast where a yacht can complete all operational tasks efficiently.
The approach to Coffs Harbour International Marina is via a straight, dredged channel between the breakwaters. This channel normally carries around 3.0 m at LAT, increasing to 3.5–4.0 m on a typical tide, giving safe clearance for most coastal cruising yachts drawing up to about 2.5 m. The channel is well marked, but strong easterly or north‑easterly swell can create standing waves across the entrance, particularly when wind opposes tide. In these conditions, skippers should commit with enough power to maintain steerage and avoid slowing in the turbulence. Once inside the breakwaters, conditions settle immediately and the marina entrance lies to port.
Inside the harbour, depths in the fairways are generally 3.0–4.0 m, with marina berths typically 2.5–3.5 m depending on position. The inner harbour is a 6‑knot low‑wash zone from the breakwater inward. There are no overhead clearance issues anywhere in the approach or marina. These depth ranges and the sheltered basin make Coffs Harbour a dependable stop for yachts seeking a safe harbour during coastal passages.
Coffs Harbour International Marina occupies the protected inner basin and provides secure berths for visiting yachts. Fairways are wide enough for controlled manoeuvring in most conditions, and the inner arms are well sheltered from any residual swell. The marina office manages berth allocation, access control and operational updates, including dredging status and entrance conditions, and is the central point of contact for visiting skippers.
Fuel. This is supplied at the marina fuel dock, with diesel and petrol available at depths suitable for cruising yachts at all tides. The fuel berth is accessed directly from the main fairway.
Fresh Water. This is available at the fuel dock and at individual berths throughout the marina, allowing full tank fills alongside. A fixed sewage pump‑out station is located within the marina precinct, enabling complete black‑water disposal without leaving the harbour.
The marina operates a travel‑lift and hardstand suitable for typical coastal cruising yachts. The hardstand supports antifouling, hull cleaning and mechanical work. Marine trades, including riggers, electricians, mechanics, sailmakers and fabricators, operate within the marina precinct and in nearby industrial areas. A chandlery at the marina stocks core yacht consumables and hardware, with additional marine suppliers available in the wider Coffs Harbour region. No Whitworths in Coffs so rely on marina chandlery.
Supermarkets: Woolworths Coffs Harbour (CBD). The closest full‑service supermarket to the marina. Suitable for complete provisioning, including fresh produce, dry stores, bakery items, frozen goods and alcohol. Straightforward access for bulk provisioning via taxi or rideshare. Coles Coffs Harbour (CBD). A second full‑range supermarket with similar capability and easy vehicle access for larger provisioning runs. Both supermarkets are commonly used by visiting yachts preparing for onward coastal passages.
Local specialty stores: Independent butchers, fruit and vegetable shops, organic food outlets and delicatessens are located throughout the CBD and nearby suburbs, providing additional options for crews who prefer to source particular items outside the supermarket environment.
Markets: Coffs Coast Growers Market. Held weekly in the city centre. This is the primary fresh‑produce market for skippers, offering seasonal fruit and vegetables, local meats, seafood, baked goods, honey and regional specialty items. Ideal for loading high‑quality fresh food before departure. This is worth a visit.
Seafood Markets: Coffs Harbour Fishermen’s Co‑op. Located directly on the harbour. This is the main seafood source for visiting yachts, offering fresh local fish, prawns and seasonal catch landed by the local fleet. For skippers wanting high‑quality seafood without leaving the harbour precinct, the co‑op is the most convenient and reliable option. My favourite store!
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Coffs Harbour is one of the most capable and practical ports on the New South Wales coast, combining a dredged, all‑tide entrance with fairway depths of 3.0–4.0 m, a protected marina basin and a six‑knot low‑wash regime inside the harbour. Coffs Harbour International Marina centralises berthing, fuel, water, sewage pump‑out, haul‑out, chandlery and access to local trades, while the nearby CBD provides full provisioning through Woolworths and Coles, a weekly growers’ market and a working fishermen’s co‑operative on the harbour. For yachts transiting the coast and needing a single port where refuelling, repairs and reprovisioning can all be completed efficiently, Coffs Harbour remains one of the strongest operational choices between Port Stephens and the Queensland border. The Coffs Harbour Cruising Guide for Yachts is here to help.