Bay of Islands Travel Guide

If there is one thing you should do when you’re up in the Bay of Islands, it’s making sure you get out on the water. To truly appreciate the wonder of all the islands, it’s best seen by boat or by air (more of that later) and one of the best trips to head out on is a visit to the Hole in the Rock. A cruise out there is not just about exploring the dozens of islands – wildlife is abundant once you get out into the deeper waters and it is not unusual to see dolphins, whales and huge schools of fish on your way out to the iconic Hole in the Rock. If the conditions are right and you have a brave captain, you will even get the chance to sail through the hole which is pretty awesome!

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Another reason people base themselves up in the Bay of Islands is to make the pilgrimage up to Cape Reinga, the very northern tip of New Zealand. Whilst it may be a long drive, we’ve never met a GO Explorer yet who didn’t think it was 100% worth the drive. Cape Reinga is a pretty special place with some rich Maori heritage. It’s also one of the few places in the world where you can see two seas collide. Cape Reinga is the meeting point of the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Tasman Sea to the west and if you’re up here on a stormy day, the results can be spectacular.

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On your way up to Cape Reinga you will pass by 90 Mile Beach which is highly recommended as a detour. This 90 mile long stretch of beach on the west of the peninsula is rugged and wild but the big draw for many is the huge sand dunes that have formed around half a mile inland from the sea. Formed over hundreds of years by the wild winds, the towering sand dunes make for some great adventures, namely sand boarding! It’s a pretty basic premise; grab a body board, trek up the dunes then hurl yourself down at high speed on the board trying not to fall off. Repeat. See how many you can fit in before you are completely shattered!

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Getting out on the water is a big deal up here and if you are into your fishing, there are few better places in New Zealand to get out and catch your supper. There are some awesome charters that will take you out to the deep waters where you will fish for marlin, tuna and kingfish – the big game fish that provides those who love fishing with some great sport. If you want to stick a bit closer to shore, there are some shorter trips that will take you out fishing for delicious New Zealand snapper. The best thing is, if you catch anything, the local fish and chips shops will batter your catch of the day for you. Yum yum!

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The Bay of Islands is one of the best places in New Zealand to go parasailing for a couple of reasons: 1. The views are stunning and 2. It’s the highest parasail in New Zealand making this an extreme activity to tick off your list! For the uninitiated, parasailing is when you are attached to a parachute then reeled out off the back of a powerful speed boat. You then float up in the clouds, looking down and around on the stunning view all around. Pretty amazing experience. Oh yeah, one final thing – Parasail Bay of Islands are a GO Play partner so you can save yourself 10% – winner.

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The clear waters that surround the Bay of Islands make for perfect conditions for scuba divers. Paihia is also home to two historically rich shipwreck sites; The HMNZS Canterbury and the infamous Rainbow Warrior. The HMZNS Canterbury now lies in Deep Water Cove near Cape Brett and her upright positions not only looks impressive but makes for a great diving spot. The Rainbow Warrior was famously sunk in the 1980s by the French Government and was relocated in 1987 to form an artificial reef.

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The Stone Store near Kerikeri is New Zealand’s oldest surviving stone building. It was built in 1832 and was originally used as a warehouse but over the years it has assumed a variety of roles including trading post, library, barracks and boys’ school. Today it continues to serve as a general store. The Stone Store is set in beautiful grounds and it is easy to spend an hour or so wandering around. If you are looking to stretch your legs and go for a walk, a top tip from GO Explorer Carly is to take the track to the Rainbow Falls – it will take around 2 hours return but is well worth it.

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The Waitangi Treaty Grounds are New Zealand’s most important historic site and it’s no surprise that they attract thousands of visitors every year. If you want to discover the birthplace of New Zealand, add this to your list of things to do in the Bay of Islands. The place offers up a fascinating insight to locals and tourists alike. The history of New Zealand is mapped out before you and this is a great chance to learn more about New Zealand’s proud Maori heritage.

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Why sail through the Hole in the Rock when you can land on it?! That’s right. Take a scenic helicopter flight with Salt Air and they will literally plonk you right on top of the famous rock with a hole in it. The 20 minute flight will take you right out over the bays as you get to see these magnificent islands from above. Salt Air have a range of helicopter tours available and can take you all the way out to the Waipoua Coast on the west or stick to the east coast and explore the remote coastline around Cape Brett. Either way, it’s an awesome experience and one we recommend if the purse strings allow.

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