Bay of Islands New Zealand Holidays
Bay of Islands
Holidays
144 subtropical islands, dolphins at the bow, the birthplace of New Zealand, the Hole in the Rock and the most beautiful sailing waters in the country — 3 hours north of Auckland
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Flight Time
24–26h to Auckland, then 3h drive north (or 35min domestic flight to Kerikeri/Bay of Islands airport)
Best Time
November to April (warmest, best for swimming and water activities); December to February is peak season — busiest and most expensive; May to October is quieter and cooler but still beautiful
Country
New Zealand
Suppliers
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Bay of Islands Holiday Guide
The Bay of Islands is best visited over 2–3 days — enough time for a boat trip to the Hole in the Rock, a visit to Waitangi, a dolphin cruise and a day in Russell. The Bay of Islands is 3 hours north of Auckland by road (State Highway 1 to Whangarei, then State Highway 1 north to Paihia) — it is easily combined with Auckland as part of a North Island road trip.
Getting there: Drive from Auckland (3 hours north on State Highway 1) or fly from Auckland to Kerikeri/Bay of Islands Airport (KKE) — Air New Zealand flies the route (35 minutes, approximately £60–100 one way). The airport is 20 minutes from Paihia.
Where to stay: Paihia is the main tourist hub — the most convenient base, with the most accommodation options and the ferry terminal for Russell. Russell is the most charming and most relaxed — quieter, more atmospheric and the best restaurants in the bay. Kerikeri is the best base for those who want to explore the hinterland.
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Popular Areas in Bay of Islands
Average Temperatures
Jan
25°C
Feb
26°C
Mar
24°C
Apr
21°C
May
18°C
Jun
15°C
Jul
14°C
Aug
15°C
Sep
17°C
Oct
19°C
Nov
22°C
Dec
24°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Bay of Islands
The dolphins, the Hole in the Rock, the Treaty Grounds, the charming town of Russell and the extraordinary subtropical beauty of New Zealand's most beloved bay.
Hole in the Rock — The Bay's Most Famous Landmark
The Hole in the Rock (Motukokako) is the most famous landmark in the Bay of Islands — a sea cave on Piercy Island (Motukokako), at the entrance to the bay, 30km from Paihia. The cave is large enough for a boat to pass through at high tide — the experience of sailing through the cave, with the rock walls on either side and the open sea beyond, is one of the most memorable in New Zealand. Boat trips from Paihia and Russell pass through the Hole in the Rock as part of their scenic cruise routes — the most popular trip is the Fullers GreatSights 'Hole in the Rock' cruise (3.5 hours, departing from Paihia and Russell). The trip also passes Cape Brett (a dramatic headland with a lighthouse) and the outer islands of the bay, where dolphins are frequently seen.
Dolphin Watching — Bottlenose Dolphins Year-Round
The Bay of Islands has one of the most reliable dolphin watching experiences in New Zealand — bottlenose dolphins (the largest of the inshore dolphin species, growing to 3.5m) are resident in the bay year-round and are frequently seen on boat trips. The dolphins often approach boats and play in the bow wave — the experience of watching a pod of bottlenose dolphins surfing the bow wave of your boat, with the islands of the bay stretching to the horizon, is extraordinary. Common dolphins (smaller and faster than bottlenose) are also seen in the bay, particularly in winter. Orca (killer whales) pass through the bay occasionally, particularly in winter and spring. Dolphin swimming tours (swimming with wild dolphins in the bay) are available from Paihia — the experience of swimming alongside wild bottlenose dolphins is one of the most extraordinary in New Zealand.
Waitangi Treaty Grounds — The Birthplace of New Zealand
The Waitangi Treaty Grounds are the most historically significant site in New Zealand — the place where the Treaty of Waitangi (the founding document of New Zealand) was signed between the British Crown and Maori chiefs on 6 February 1840. The grounds include the Treaty House (the home of James Busby, the British Resident, where the treaty was drafted), the Whare Runanga (a magnificent meeting house representing all the tribes of New Zealand, built in 1940 for the centenary of the treaty) and the world's largest war canoe (a 35m waka taua, carved from three kauri trees, which is launched on Waitangi Day each year). The site has an excellent museum (Te Kongahu Museum of Waitangi) telling the story of the treaty and its significance for New Zealand. Cultural performances (haka, poi, waiata) are held daily. Waitangi Day (6 February) is New Zealand's national day — the most significant day in the New Zealand calendar.
Russell — The Most Charming Town in the Bay
Russell is the most charming town in the Bay of Islands — a small town of 900 people on the western shore of the bay, accessible by passenger ferry from Paihia (10 minutes) or by road (50 minutes via Opua). Russell was the first capital of New Zealand (briefly, in the 1840s) and has a beautiful collection of Victorian buildings — the Christ Church (the oldest surviving church in New Zealand, built in 1836, with musket ball holes in the walls from the 1845 Battle of Kororareka), the Pompallier Mission (a French Catholic mission house built in 1842, the oldest surviving industrial building in New Zealand) and the Duke of Marlborough Hotel (the oldest licensed hotel in New Zealand, with a beautiful verandah overlooking the bay). Russell is quieter and more relaxed than Paihia — the best place to stay in the Bay of Islands for those who want a peaceful base.
Cape Reinga — The Northernmost Tip of New Zealand
Cape Reinga is 3 hours north of the Bay of Islands — the northernmost tip of New Zealand (technically, the northernmost point is Surville Cliffs, 30km to the east, but Cape Reinga is the most accessible and most visited). The cape is where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet — the collision of the two bodies of water creates a visible line of turbulence in the sea below the lighthouse. In Maori tradition, Cape Reinga is the place where the spirits of the dead depart for the afterlife — it is one of the most sacred sites in New Zealand. The drive to Cape Reinga (via the Aupouri Peninsula and the Ninety Mile Beach) is one of the most dramatic in New Zealand — the landscape becomes increasingly remote and wild as you head north. 4WD tours along Ninety Mile Beach (a 90km stretch of hard-packed sand that is a designated highway) are available from Paihia and Kaitaia.
Sailing the Bay of Islands — 144 Islands to Explore
Sailing through the Bay of Islands is one of the great New Zealand experiences — a 2–5 night trip on a sailing boat through 144 subtropical islands, anchoring in secluded bays, snorkelling in crystal-clear water and watching the sun set over the Tasman Sea. Bareboat charters (self-skippered, for those with sailing experience) and skippered charters (with a professional skipper) are available from Paihia and Russell. Day sailing trips (on traditional schooners or modern yachts) are available for those who want a taste of sailing without committing to a multi-day trip. The most popular sailing destinations: Roberton Island (a small island with a beautiful lagoon, excellent for snorkelling), Urupukapuka Island (the largest island in the bay, with walking trails and a DOC campsite) and Oke Bay (a secluded bay on the eastern shore of the bay, with a beautiful beach and excellent snorkelling).
Kerikeri — The Oldest European Buildings in New Zealand
Kerikeri is 20 minutes north of Paihia — a small town of 8,000 people in the Bay of Islands hinterland, with the oldest surviving European buildings in New Zealand. The Stone Store (built in 1836 — the oldest stone building in New Zealand, originally used to store trade goods for the mission) and the Kemp House (built in 1822 — the oldest surviving wooden building in New Zealand, the home of the first missionaries to settle in New Zealand) are both on the shores of the Kerikeri Inlet and are open to visitors. Kerikeri is also the centre of the Bay of Islands food and wine scene — the town has excellent restaurants, cafés and a Saturday market. The Rainbow Falls (a 27m waterfall in the Kerikeri River, 3km from the town centre) is the best short walk in the Bay of Islands.
Game Fishing — World-Class Sport Fishing in the Bay
The Bay of Islands is one of the great game fishing destinations in the world — the warm subtropical waters of the bay are home to striped marlin (the most sought-after game fish in New Zealand, present from January to April), black marlin, yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo and kingfish. The Bay of Islands has been a game fishing destination since the 1920s — Zane Grey (the American author and game fishing pioneer) fished the bay in 1926 and described it as the finest game fishing in the world. Charter boats (fully equipped for game fishing, with experienced skippers and crew) are available from Paihia and Russell — a full-day game fishing charter costs approximately £300–500 per person. The Bay of Islands Swordfish Club (established in 1932) is the oldest game fishing club in New Zealand and organises several tournaments throughout the season.
Explore Bay of Islands on the Map
Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
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