OUR PICKS · PAIHIA
Paihia is the pier for the whole bay: 144 islands, a rock arch at the far end and a swim stop if the swell allows. These 13 compare the fast catamarans with the boats that stop long enough to get off.
Cruise from Paihia or Russell among the Bay of Islands’ 144 islands, with lively English commentary, wildlife watching, and a 1.5-hour stop at Otehei Bay. You may pass through Motukōkako, the Hole in the Rock, then swim, walk, or eat at the island café.
“Great morning on our cruise. Informative guide, perfect weather and very comfortable boat.”
Join Island Getaway’s 4.5-hour cruise with guides such as Nick, Blue, Hamish, and Tish. You’ll visit Roberton Island, sail through the Hole in the Rock when weather allows, then swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or relax at a quiet island bay.
“Beautiful trip with nice, fun, friendly guides and helpful education!”
Join Explore Group New Zealand from Paihia for a 4.5-hour cruise among the Bay of Islands’ 144 islands. Your local skipper provides live commentary, seeks dolphins and other marine life, and may steer through the Hole in the Rock when conditions allow. Lunch and 1.5 hours at Otehei Bay are included.
“We loved our trip around the Bay of Islands, Our Skipper - Bronwyn - did an excellent job of navigating past a very playful group of dolphins, who just wouldn’t leave us alone! Bronwyn made the passage through the Hole in The Rock seem like child’s play, even though the boat we were on was not much smaller than the gap! We enjoyed an excellent buffet lunch at the Ohehei Bay Beach Cafe….more than enough for everyone. All in all a most enjoyable few hours.”
Spend 4.5 hours cruising among the Bay of Islands’ 144 islands, with live commentary, a weather-dependent passage through Hole in the Rock, and a 1.5-hour stop at Otehei Bay for an included buffet lunch, swimming, short walks, and birdlife.
“Well organised tour group. The crew was professional, efficient and informative about the attraction and local marine animals.”
Spend 4.5 hours cruising the Bay of Islands with Island Getaway Tours. You’ll hike to Roberton Island’s Twin Lagoons lookout, visit the Hole in the Rock and Cape Brett Lighthouse when conditions allow, then swim or snorkel from a second island. Guides such as Adam, Cass, Hamish, and Nick provide local insight.
“Great day on the boat. Nice island stops for walks and swimming. Zack, Nik, Bluebell were great hosts and made the experience even better”
Thunder Trike Tours takes you from central Paihia on a V8 Chevy Trike with an English-speaking driver-guide. Choose a 30-minute scenic or thriller ride, or combine Haruru Falls, Waitangi Lookout, and Opua in one lively hour.
“Fabulous. We enjoyed it so much and have been telling other cruisers about it. I want to bring my parent in November- I think he will love it”
Spend about five and a half hours aboard the locally built R. Tucker Thompson. Help hoist sails, steer, climb the rigging, swim from the ship, and walk to a scenic viewpoint. Your fare includes ferry tickets from Paihia, cream tea, BBQ lunch, and support for youth sailing.
“We did this on our last visit to NZ, and had to do it again. The crew are brilliant and there were lots of hands-on opportunities, hoisting the sails, climbing the rigging, I even had a go at helming! There was plenty of wind so we were under sail most of the time. Cream tea, fine lunch, swimming, trip ashore to investigate an historic landing by Capt Cook - this excursion has everything.”
Join Brad and Monique aboard the Bayscapes catamaran for six hours around the Bay of Islands. Sail from Paihia, use the provided snorkel gear and paddleboards at a quiet island stop, take a short bush walk, and enjoy a catered lunch before returning.
“our hosts were amazing and made you feel welcome and comfortable from the moment you stepped on board. a great way to see the bay of Islands in all its beauty. we were also supplied a delicious lunch while relaxing in one of the many beautiful bays. highly recommend doing this cruise.”
Board in Paihia, Waitangi, or Russell for a scenic Bay of Islands boat ride and about 10 minutes in the air. Fly solo, tandem, or triple, with safety gear supplied and optional GoPro photos for $40 per flight. Guides including Ben and Shaun have been praised for calm, clear instruction.
“Great experience, not done this for 25 years. The 2 guys who took us were great fun but very experienced, explained everything.”
Spend 510 minutes aboard Explore Group’s Cream Trip from Paihia. Cruise past 144 islands to Cape Brett, enter the Hole in the Rock when conditions allow, watch for dolphins and whales, stop at Urupukapuka Island, and try boom-netting if the weather cooperates. English commentary, a licensed bar, and indoor and outdoor decks are included.
“I had an amazing day, the crew was very kind and professional. We saw dolphins, pinguïns and other sea animals. The weather let us allow to use the boom net, which was a really special activity! The island stop was long enough to make a short walk do a bay to take a nice swim. I would really recommend this tour:)”
Join the R. Tucker Thompson at Russell Wharf for a two-hour late afternoon sail through the inner Bay of Islands. Help raise the sails, steer under supervision, climb the rigging, or relax with antipasto and a cash-bar drink. Ferry tickets from Paihia are included.
“we had fabulous weather so. that was a great start. the crew were excellent great food”
Sail from Paihia aboard Bayscapes Charters’ spacious 40-foot catamaran with Brad and Monique. After two hours on the water, stop at a boat-access-only island for a short walk, swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and a packed lunch before sailing back.
“The couple that ran the catamaran were extremely nice and very knowledgeable. We enjoyed our time sailing and spending time on the beach and hiking. The lunch they provided was really good as well.”
Take exclusive use of Serenity for six hours in the Bay of Islands. Captain Magnus and Adam can guide you sailing, fishing, snorkeling, paddleboarding, or ashore for a walk. The catamaran holds up to 20 people, with pickup, lunch, and drinks arranged to suit your group.
“This sailing charter was a huge highlight of our trip. Magnus and Adam were great and even though we had some cloudy weather .. we saw the whole Bay, penguins , dolphins and tons of birds . Even caught a fish and chef Adam made Read more”
An hour around a harbour, a full day with a swim stop, or a cabin and a sunrise.
