Bay of Islands - Sailing Itinerary

This is a sailing paradise and unsurprisingly a favourite cruising ground for many a keen Kiwi sailor. So enjoy the Bay of Islands the way the locals do, on a boat with a small group of like-minded people, spend carefree days in an incredible setting doing the things you enjoy, take in the natural beauty at a leisurely pace.

This is an all-inclusive sailing expedition gives you three magical days of kayaking, snorkeling, fishing and exploring. Enjoy the diversity of the Bay of Islands first-hand and learn about the area’s fascinating history. It’s the perfect start to your New Zealand holiday. 

No other trip will let you explore this unique area in quite the same way.

Sample Itinerary Day 1: Depart Paihia wharf at 8am. Spend the morning at sea, catching fish and spotting wildlife. Lunch stop at Roberton Island followed by a walk to a lookout and swimming/snorkelling. Afternoon sail to Oke Bay for our overnight stop. Evening kayak/ beach combing and bbq dinner.

Accommodation: 2 Nights Aboard The Sailing Ship Manawanui

Sample Itinerary Day 2: 8am breakfast followed by a sail to Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock. Hike to Cape Brett lighthouse followed by fishing and a sail to Deepwater Cove. Snorkelling in the marine reserve in Deep Water Cove. Sail to Waewaetorea Island. Sunset dinner on deck. 

NB: This is a sample itinerary. The routes and activities are entirely weather dependent. Basically, the cruise is best described as island-hopping, with a few hours of passage making followed by an exploration of our destination and a good meal.

Our route and itinerary are dependant on sea and weather conditions. However to give you an idea, here are some of the places we visit regularly: 

Sample Itinerary Day 3:  8am breakfast followed by a walk to the top of Waewaetorea for a panoramic view of the Bay of Islands. A few hours spent relaxing on the beach,kayaking, snorkelling. Sail to the Black Rocks to harvest green-lipped mussels for lunch. Fresh seafood lunch followed by a sail in the afternoon seabreeze back to Paihia. Arrive Paihia around 3.30/4pm.

Our journey will take you onto the ocean and to uninhabited islands, remote beaches and rugged, coastal headlands. We explore our destinations by kayaking, snorkeling and walking. There is no standard route or itinerary as these are weather dependent. We always aim to take in the top attractions as well as hidden gems off the beaten track.

Season: 1st October to 1st May.

Departure: Tuesdays and Fridays from Paihia

Dorm bed: NZ$ 750.00 per person, per trip.
 
Double/twin cabin: NZ$ 1700.00, per trip.

Children: Under 15 years of age are charged at NZ$375.00 per child per trip

What's Included

• On-board Accommodation
• All meals included
• Inflatable Tender
• Kayaks, Snorkels and Fishing Equipment

Highlights

• Kayaking
• Island Walking
• Beach Swimming
• Snorkeling
• Fishing
• Dolphins
• Sailing
• BBQ Dinners