A stranded yachtie has a long wait until high tide, after running aground on the centre bank in Tauranga Harbour this afternoon.

The yacht, believed to be named Celtic Trader, struck the sandbank opposite the Salisbury Wharf not long after low tide at 12pm.

High Tide is not until 6.18pm.

But with the strength of the westerly trying to blow him off the bank, the yachtie on board should be blown back into the channel before then.