Bay Of Islands
Introduction -- Accommodation -- Restaurants/Cafes -- Activities

Swim with the dolphins
Swim with the dolphins
New Zealand
Northland
Bay of Islands
Activities

Most Bay of Island activities happen on and in the water, and start from the Paihia and Russell wharfs. Swimming with the dolphins, sailing trips, boat cruises, sea kayaking, diving and game fishing are a few of the water based activities on offer. Paihia is also the starting point for the popular Ninety Mile Beach - Cape Reinga tours. If you are not staying in Russell already, take one of the small ferries across and visit this historic town.

Bay Of Islands Activities "Our Selection"

Day Cruises:
- Fullers Great Sights -- Phone: +64 9 402 7421
  Half day Dolphin Cruise to Hole In The Rock, Cape Brett including   island stopover, leaves daily at 9am and 1.30pm.   Website

Overnight Cruise:
- Ecocruz Bay of Islands -- Phone: +64 9 402 5594
  Three days, 2 nights nature cruises on a 72 foot (22m), 1981   John Pugh cutter-rigged ketch   Website

Sailing in the Bay of Islands:
- R Tucker Thompson -- Phone: +64 9 402 8430
  This Tall Ship departs at 10am from Russell for a 6 hour trip,    
  and for late afternoon sails   Website

Maori Cultural Experience:
- Taiamai Tours -- Phone: +64 9 405 9990
  Waka (Traditional Maori 50 ft war canoe) experience on the tidal   estuaries of the Waitangi River. Learn traditional paddle   techniques, Waka manoeuvres, chants and Haka   Website
  Departing from the Waitangi Bridge 10am, 1pm (October–April).
- Culture North Cultural Experiences -- Ph: +64 9 402 5990
  Performances ranging from the 15 minute audio-visual   presentation to the flagship Culture North Sound and Light Show.    Tours run regularly through the day during the summer.
  Waitangi Treaty Grounds, 1 Tau Henare Drive   Website

Cape Reinga via Ninety Mile Beach coach tours:
- Fullers Great Sights -- Phone: +64 9 402 7421
  Departs from Paihia at 7am for a 6.15pm return   Website

Sea Kayaking:
- Coastal Kayakers -- Phone: +64 9 402 8105
- NZ Sea Kayak Adventures -- Phone: +64 9 402 8596
- Bay Beach Hire -- Phone: +64 9 402 6078

Fishing:
- 4 Reel Fishing Charters -- Phone: +64 27 614 3834
- Arline Fishing Charters -- Phone: 021 549 416
- Blue Sea Charters -- Phone: +64 9 402 7071
- Earl Grey Fishing -- Phone: +64 9 407 7165
- Te Ariki Nui (big game fishing) -- Phone: +64 9 402 6810

Scuba Diving:
Dive HQ Bay of Islands -- Phone: +64 9 402 7551

Scenic flights:
Salt Air -- Phone: +64 9 402 8338     ImageFly in a Salt Air helicopter
Fly in a Salt Air helicopter

Waitangi Treaty Grounds -- Phone: +64 9 402 7437
Waitangi, the site of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi on 6 February 1840 between the Maori tribes of Aotearoa and the British, is a half hour beach stroll from Paihia.  The Treaty Grounds, home to a treasure trove of New Zealand historical icons, includes the original 4-room Residency of New Zealand’s first British Resident, James Busby.  Perched above the Bay, with manicured lawns on which the Naval Flagstaff stands, the building also boasts colourful heritage gardens, and contains photographic displays and a facsimile copy of the Treaty document.  Re-named the Waitangi Treaty House, this building became a national memorial in 1932.  Also onsite in the Treaty Grounds is Te Whare Runanga, the Maori Meeting House which was built to commemorate the centennial of the Treaty in 1940.  This building is unique in that all 15 of the major tribes of Aotearoa are represented inside by magnificent intricate carved panels.  The Artefacts Gallery, the 35m waka taua (ceremonial war canoe) ‘Ngatokimatawhaorua’, the Waitangi Visitor Centre, a Café and Shop, nature trails and abundant native bird-life complete the Treaty Grounds’ attractions.
To experience the Treaty Grounds, you can purchase an admission
ticket (New Zealand residents exempt) and wander the Grounds on your own, or a self-guided 2-day tour ticket.  To find out more about the significance of the area and the spiritual relationship the Maori have to the land, choose from an extensive range of guided tours, workshops, and cultural performances ranging from the 15 minute audio-visual presentation to the flagship Culture North Sound and Light Show.  Tours run regularly through the day during the summer. Open 9am-7pm daily (9am-5pm in the off-season)
1 Tau Henare Drive, Paihia.

Bay of Islands Introduction
Paihia Accommodation
Russell Accommodation

More Waitangi Treaty Grounds images


Paihia Wharf
Paihia Wharf

Hole in the Rock

Taiamai Tours
Taiamai Tours

 

 


The 35m waka taua (ceremonial war canoe) ‘Ngatokimatawhaorua' at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds

NW 1010 Te Whare Runanga, Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Bay of Islands
Te Whare Runanga, Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Bay of Islands