Island Hopper- Sail to wildlife sanctuary - 6 hr - Bay of Islands

Enjoy a 6 hour sailing cruise in the Bay of Islands with a 2 hour island stopover at a stunning wildlife sanctuary island for activities like snorkelling, paddleboarding, hikes, and picnic lunch. Get to know your crew, and have a go at sailing or just kick back and relax. The choice is yours.

Departing from Paihia beach at 10am, we set sail and make our way through the Paihia harbor, enjoying a cuppa tea/coffee/milo & biscuits during the start of the cruise. Get to know your skipper and crew, enjoy the sailing activity while it is happening all around you.

If the wind direction is right, the engines go off, the sails fill, and the only sound is the water lapping the hulls. That's when the real magic begins. From here we sail the Bay of Islands inlet, then track north along the Russell peninsula, Tapeka point coastline and into the wider Bay of Islands with the outer islands opening up ahead.

We sail on by Motuarohia Island, a picturesque island known for it's twin lagoons, and famous for Captain Cook's early arrival which early encounters with maori followed, making history which is talked about for years to follow.

tor free wildlife sanctuary island where the native bush grows right down to the beach and is abundant with New Zealand's unique wildlife species. Here we enjoy a 2 hour island stopover where the boat anchors in a sheltered bay for you to step ashore onto the beach and enjoy your choice of activities. Snorkel or paddleboard in the bay, relax on the beach or explore the beautiful bush tracks - a 15 min walk will have you in another secluded bay enjoying a picnic lunch. Home to rare bird species kiwi, kakariki, saddleback, robin, whitehead, ruru, as well as the giant weta and many other New Zealand's endangered species, you will hear the bird song even before the anchor drops. PLEASE NOTE - we can only make 1 stop at 1 island destination for the 2 hour island stopover for the optional activities. So we will choose from EITHER Moturua or Urupukapuka Island. (please see next destination on itinerary)

If wind & sea conditions dictate Urupukapuka is the best option for a sheltered anchorage then we will go where the wind takes us! Known for it's beautiful walking tracks and superb views, Urupukapuka is a stunning island destination. Although we don't visit Otehei Bay (where the big tourist boats go) we like to find a quieter haven on this island for more of a nature experience away from the crowds at Paradise Bay or Entico Bay - it as as beautiful as it sounds! Here you can also experience New Zealand's rare bird life on the walking tracks We enjoy a 2 hour island stopover where the boat anchors for you to step ashore onto the beach and enjoy your choice of activities. Snorkel or paddleboard in the bay, relax on the beach or explore the beautiful bush tracks. PLEASE NOTE - we can only make 1 stop at 1 island destination for the 2 hour island stopover. So we will choose from EITHER Moturua or Urupukapuka Island.

Depending on the wind and swell that day, the skipper picks the best line for the return sail to Paihia, sometimes out towards Moturoa Island and tucking in close to the mainland cliffs at Waitangi where you will see the Waitangi flag post at the Treaty Grounds from the sea. Sometimes tracking in closer to Russell, and heading up towards the entrance to the Opua inlet before turning back in to Paihia. No two days run exactly the same route, which is really the beauty of sailing.

A beautiful relaxing place to end to a great day's sailing!