Like many of the Tory Channel bays, this has a sand bank at the entrance. The charted depth is 2 m but some silting seems to have occurred and boats of more than 1m draft may touch at spring low tide.
The channel on the western side has at least 12m of water with plenty of width. The channel on the eastern side has a minimum depth of 3m.
For deepest water it is necessary to keep close to Kaihinu Point. A tidal stream of up to two knots runs between the island and Kaihinu Point.
A reef extends due north about 10m from Kaihinu Point and is clearly discernible by its weed beds. There are no outlying dangers from the various weed beds or from the island.
The whole bay is excellent holding. The western side and extreme southern end gives best shelter in NW conditions, however the southern end is very gusty in S winds.
The large bay on the south eastern end is excellent shelter in N to E to SW conditions. Some shelter can also be gained from NW winds by anchoring with a line to shore in the north east corner, but the bay is not recommended in strong NW conditions. The western side and extreme southern end gives best shelter in NW conditions, but the southern end is very gusty in S winds.
Historically, Moioio Island and Kaihinu Point both had large Maori settlements which were attacked by Maori chief Te Rauparaha and his warriors.
