Exclusive Private Charter Sailing Experience: Take the helm and experience sailing a catamaran amongst the stunning myriad of islands in the Bay of Islands. A two hour stopover allows plenty of time to enjoy a delicious light lunch and explore isolated beaches and lush, uninhabited islands. Observe the unique bird and marine life, and enjoy the chance to swim or snorkel and view playful dolphins. Try your hand at a bit of fishing with our rods and bait or relax on the spacious trampolines or enjoy the seats on each bow. Your hosts, Don and Marilyn are a very experienced seafaring couple and will show you a fabulous day of cruising the spectacular Bay of Islands. Their sailing catamaran is very stable making this an enjoyable experience even for the less experienced.
Privately Guided Bay of Islands Highlights: This day-tour with a local driver-guide will let you experience the Northland with a series of activities and stops tailored to suit your particular interests, and guaranteed to give you a local's perspective on this beautiful region. Immerse yourself into the past with Russell Township sightseeing and history or a walk around the Waitangi Treaty House & Grounds; Learn the culinary side of this region with wine tasting, a visit to a beef and sheep farm, cheese tasting, or an educational tour of a kiwifruit orchard; delve into the nature of the Northland with a walk in Puketi Kauri forest or a visit to a local orchid hothouse. Meet your guide in the morning and plan an unforgettable day together!
Roberton Island
Cape Reinga and Northland Scenic Flight & 4WD: The Cape Reinga and Northland five hour tour is an unforgettable experience.
Fly one hour up the West Coast, enjoy two and a half hours exploring the top of
New Zealand in a comfortable 4WD - from Cape Reinga on to the giant sand
dunes for some fun tobogganing! Then spend an hour flying back down
the spectacular East Coast returning via the beautiful Bay of Islands.
Get a bird's eye view of some of the most stunning coastal scenery New
Zealand has to offer, much of which cannot be reached any other way!
Coastal Discovery Heli Flight: Explore the unique and stunning coastline surrounding the Bay of Islands region. You will fly north via the outer island group in the Bay, following a route via the exclusive Purerua peninsula, the coastal settlements and beautiful beaches of Takou Bay, Tapuaetahi, Mahineapua, Matauri Bay and the Cavalli Islands. You will cruise over the picturesque Kerikeri inlet and townships of Kerikeri and Waitangi before landing back on the Paihia Waterfront. Flight duration approximately 30 minutes.
Maori Meeting House
Māori Culture Experience: Considered the Birthplace of a Nation – the Bay of Islands is the place to experience a sharing of insight about New Zealand’s past, present and Māori culture. This privately guided two hour experience is led by a Māori guide at one of Northland's greatest icons, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. This is a place where, many years ago, Māori and European came together to sign New Zealand's founding document, The Treaty of Waitangi. You'll learn about the historic and cultural significance of this area, see a Māori War Canoe, the Treaty House, and a meeting house.
Tane Mahuta - "The Lord of the Forest"
Twilight Encounter - Waipoua Forest: The silhouettes of the forest and the sounds of the night are a theatrical performance you won’t want to miss! Guided by the same stars that bought the Māori people to New Zealand from Hawaiki, this tour offers an intimate encounter with the ‘giants’ of the forest. This four hour night experience visits the oldest and largest known kauri trees in the world, Te Matua Ngahere (The Father of the forest) and Tane Mahuta (The Lord of the forest). Let the sounds of the night and cultural interpretation (Māori story, song and instruments), awaken your senses. Voted one of 82 'Experiences of a Lifetime' by Lonely Planet 2006.
Swim with the Dolphins:
A unique opportunity to get up close and personal with these beautiful marine mammals. Swim with the dolphins (conditions permitting) and see the abundance of marine mammals and wildlife the Bay of Islands is famous for. A modern high speed luxury catamaran is purpose built and offers easy access to the water and hot showers. This is truly a unique opportunity and is especially spectacular in the Bay of Islands. With the warmest water in New Zealand, the Bay of Islands is the best choice for your swimming with dolphins experience.
Hokianga Harbour Cruise: Enjoy a guided boat cruise on the gorgeous Hokianga harbor. Local Maori guides follow in the footsteps and relive the journey of this country’s most influential visitor, Kupe. This first discoverer 1000 years ago of New Zealand called Hokianga his home. The local Maori guides sing songs and tell stories in an interactive manner to bring this historic area to life. This beautiful natural environment is rich in history and spectacular scenery, from the vast kauri forests to giant sand dunes, the landscape is home to small settlements and ancient sites of significant interest. * Cruise departures: AM (8.15am - 11.30am) or PM (11.40am - 3.15pm including stop at sand dunes).
Giant Sand Dunes and Sand Boarding: Imagine sand-boarding down giant sand dunes into crystal clear water. From Opononi wharf board the Hokianga Express which will cruise you across the harbour to the giant sand dunes. Experience the thrill of sand boarding, swim in the harbour or just relax on the beach. Back at Opononi enjoy lunch at your leisure and reward yourself for conquering the mighty sand dunes. Your skipper will provide you with your sandboards and safety. Please bring: swimwear, towel, change of clothes and sunblock, and a sense of adventure! This is a self guided trip, however the cost of equipment is included. The boat departs on the hour, every hour until 2.00PM, so if you wish to spend a few hours on the sand dunes, you may also like to take something to eat.
Discover the Bay - 'Hole in the Rock': Discover the Bay is New Zealand’s most comprehensive eco-tour of the historic and picturesque Bay of Islands. This eco-cruise among 144 stunning islands includes the famous "Hole in the Rock", a stop at a private island to visit one of New Zealand's most significant Maori Pa's (fortified village), a stop at a beautiful beach, and the opportunity to see dolphins, whales, birds and other marine mammals and wildlife. You will also have the opportunity to learn about the Kiwi Recovery Conservation and Restoration program on Motorua Island.
Heli Island Cruise: Experience the Bay
of Islands with our spectacular Heli Island Cruise Escape. Depart Paihia
on a scenic helicopter flight before landing on our custom built
helicopter barge in the heart of the Bay of Islands. Boarding our sea
shuttle, you'll be transported to the island of choice to enjoy hiking,
fishing, snorkeling or just relaxing. Your trip back to Paihia will be
aboard the sea shuttle, where you'll enjoy an informative tour of the
Bay of Islands during the return journey. This trip also works in
reverse with the cruise first and then helicopter tour.
Images provided by: Salt Air and Destination Northland
