Bay of Islands Small-Group Cruise with Two Island Stops from Paihia

Paihia and the Bay of Islands

Paihia is the main holiday town of the Bay of Islands, a sheltered coastline in Northland where green headlands, sandy coves and scattered subtropical islands meet the Pacific. It lies about three hours' drive north of Auckland and next to Waitangi, where the founding treaty between Maori chiefs and the British Crown was signed in 1840, which makes the area central to New Zealand's history.

From the Paihia waterfront, boats head out into the bay each morning. A Bay of Islands day cruise from Paihia is the best way to understand the area, as most of its beauty lies offshore. If you are wondering how to get to the Bay of Islands, buses and flights from Auckland reach Paihia and nearby Kerikeri.

Roberton Island and Its Twin Lagoons

The first stop is Roberton Island, also known by its Maori name Motuarohia, one of the most photographed spots in the bay. Two clear lagoons sit side by side behind a narrow sandy beach, and on calm days their turquoise water looks almost tropical. You step ashore and follow a native bush trail for about ten minutes up to the summit.

At the top a 360-degree lookout opens over the lagoons, the surrounding islands and the open bay, one of the finest views in Northland. Take your time for photos before returning to the boat. This short walk is suitable for most visitors with reasonable fitness, and sturdy sandals or trainers are enough.

Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock

The cruise then continues past bays and islands to Cape Brett, the long rugged headland that marks the eastern edge of the Bay of Islands. On its slopes stands the white Cape Brett Lighthouse, first lit in 1910 and once lived in by keepers and their families who lived in complete isolation.

Just off the cape rises Motu Kokako, better known as the Hole in the Rock, a tall island with a natural tunnel carved through it by wind and waves over thousands of years. When the swell allows, boats can pass close to or through the opening, a highlight of any Hole in the Rock cruise. Dolphins, gannets and other seabirds are often seen in these waters.

The Second Island: Swimming and Snorkelling

The second stop is chosen on the day according to wind and swell, and takes you to one of the more secluded and less visited coves of the bay. Here you can snorkel over shallow reefs with the equipment provided, swim from the beach, follow island trails or simply relax on the sand.

Underwater, look for colourful reef fish, kelp forests and sea urchins among the rocks. Bring your own swimsuit and towel if you plan to go in the water, and a packed lunch, as food is not served on board. This free time on the island is what sets this Bay of Islands snorkelling cruise apart from shorter sightseeing trips.

Russell, the Historic Village Across the Bay

If you board from Russell, you begin in one of the most historic villages in New Zealand. Known in the early 19th century as Kororareka, it was a busy and rough port for whaling ships before becoming a peaceful seaside village. Its wooden Christ Church, built in 1836, is one of the oldest surviving churches in the country.

Russell is a short passenger ferry ride from Paihia, so the two towns are easy to combine. Its tree-lined waterfront, small museum and historic buildings are lovely to explore before or after your cruise, and the boat follows the same island route and stops as from Paihia, so you miss nothing of the day.