🚢Cruise Port Guide to Bay of Islands, New Zealand
Welcome to the Bay of Islands!
Table of Contents:
* Bay of Islands Information
* Bay of Islands Weather
* Bay of Islands Tender Location
* Getting Around Bay of Islands
* Highlights of Bay of Islands
* Waitangi Treaty Grounds
* Hole in the Rock and Water Tours
* Pahia, Russell and Kerikeri
* Further Afield
* Fun Things to Do in Bay of Islands with Kids
* Shopping in Bay of Islands
* Markets in Bay of Islands
* Eating & Drinking in Bay of Islands
* Where to Find Free Wi-Fi in Bay of Islands
* Supermarkets and Grocery Stores in Bay of Islands
Bay of Islands Information
Bay of Islands's Māori Name:
The Māori name for Bay of Islands’ is Ipipiri, a name used by the Māori to refer to what Captain Cook named the Bay of Islands.
Population:
The Bay of Islands region has a small population, with Paihia housing around 1,700 residents and Russell about 800. During the tourist season, these numbers swell considerably with visitors.
History:
The Bay of Islands was one of the first areas settled by Europeans, and it played a crucial role in early interactions between Māori and Europeans. The signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 between Māori chiefs and the British Crown took place here, establishing the foundation of New Zealand as a British colony.
Geography:
The Bay of Islands has a shoreline of approx 500 miles (800 km) and is home to 144 islands. It is actually a drowned river system where ancient river valleys were flooded by rising sea levels at the end of the last Ice Age. This geological process created the many bays, inlets, and islands you see today.
Currency:
New Zealand Dollar (NZD), Most places accept credit cards.
Language:
English is the primary language in New Zealand, but Māori is also an official language, and you'll encounter plenty of Māori place names and cultural references throughout the city.
Time Zone:
New Zealand Standard Time (NZST) and observes daylight saving time.
Emergency Services:
The emergency services number in New Zealand is 111 for police, fire, and medical emergencies.
Tipping:
Tipping is not expected in New Zealand but appreciated for exceptional service.
Bay of Islands Weather
The Bay of Islands enjoys a subtropical climate. It's one of the warmest parts of New Zealand, with mild winters and warm summers, averaging over 2,000 hours of sunshine.
Bay of Islands Tender Information
* Waitangi Wharf
Most cruises to the Bay of Islands anchor offshore where you will be tendered ashore to Waitangi Wharf. Some ships also offer a tender to Russell.
From Waitangi Wharf, it’s a short walk (20-30 minutes) or a free shuttle ride into Paihia’s town centre, where you’ll find shops, cafés, and tour operators ready to help you explore the area. You can also easily catch ferries from Paihia to nearby Russell, a historic town just across the bay.
Here's a great map of the area.
* Bay of Islands i-SITE Visitor Centre
The i-SITE in Paihia is located on the waterfront. The staff provides maps, information about local tours, and can help you with bookings.
Getting Around Bay of Islands
* Walking
It’s a short walk (20-30 minutes) to Pahia from Waitangi Wharf. Paihia is a compact, walkable town, so you can easily explore many shops, cafés, and local attractions on foot.
* Scenic Tour
This is a pretty good way to explore all the Bay of Islands has in a short time.
* Local Ferries
The ferry between Paihia and Russell is a popular option. Ferries run frequently (about every 20 minutes) and take only 15 minutes to cross the bay, allowing you to explore both towns easily.
* Local Taxis
Taxis are available pier-side.
There is only one taxi in Russell
The Russell Cab - Phone : 021-396 398
* Bike Hire
For a more active option, bikes and e-bikes are available to rent in Russell.
* V8 Tricycle
These tours depart from the I-site (local information centre).
* Snorkel/Wildlife/Paddleboard
* Parasailing
Highlights of Bay of Islands
There is a lot to see when you come to the Bay of Islands on a cruise. It's hard to see everything on a short visit so, if you haven't been to this port before, these are the key places I would recommend you visit. If you're been here before, then you might want to explore Kerikeri, Rainbow Falls and other places further afield.
What to See and Do in the Bay of Islands
* Waitangi Treaty Grounds
One of the most significant historic sites in New Zealand are the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840. Here you can explore the museum, take a guided tour, watch a cultural performance, and see the historic Treaty House and Māori waka (war canoe). The grounds offer spectacular views of the bay as well.
It's just a 10-minute walk from the wharf to the Treaty House.
* Hole in the Rock Tours
One of the most famous natural landmarks is the "Hole in the Rock" on Piercy Island (Motukōkako). Boats often pass through this narrow rock formation if the tide and weather allow.
The Bay of Islands is also one of the best places in New Zealand to see dolphins.
* Dolphin Tours
The waters around Paihia are filled with lots of marine life, including orcas, dolphins, seals, and various fish species. It's a popular spot for dolphin-watching tours.
*Sailing Tours
If you're looking for a relaxing day on the water on a sailing boat, then these might be of interest to you.
* Explore Paihia
Paihia is often called the "Gateway to the Bay of Islands," as it’s the primary access point for exploring this stunning region.
The village of Paihia has lots of cafes, local shops, and waterfront views. You can easily arrange boat tours or ferry rides to nearby islands from here.
Paihia Beach is known for its soft, golden sand and clear waters and enjoys relatively warm waters, especially in the summer.
* Explore Russell
Russell is a sleepy little historic town. It was New Zealand’s first capital before the title was transferred to Auckland and eventually Wellington.
It's a short ferry 15-minute ferry ride from Paihia ferries and the ferries run frequently.
Pompallier Mission and Printery, New Zealand’s oldest Roman Catholic building. Take a guided tour to see the old printing press, learn about early bookbinding techniques, and walk the peaceful gardens overlooking the bay.
With its prime spot along Russell’s waterfront, the Duke offers some of the best views of the bay. Fun fact: the Duke of Marlborough was once notorious for serving whalers, traders, and rowdy settlers. In fact, Russell (then called Kororāreka) was once dubbed the “Hellhole of the Pacific” because of its lawless reputation!
This historic site has significance from the Māori-British conflicts, where the flagstaff was famously chopped down several times by Māori leader Hone Heke.
You can take a short walk or taxi up to Flagstaff Hill for one of the best panoramic views over the Bay of Islands, with clear sights of Paihia, Waitangi, and many of the islands in the bay.
Take a short 10-minute walk from Russell’s centre to Long Beach (Oneroa Bay). This quiet beach is a lovely spot to relax, take a swim, and enjoy the stunning scenery of the Bay of Islands.
Russell Museum is where you'll get insights into Russell’s past as New Zealand’s first capital and a former rowdy whaling port. Don’t miss the replica of the Endeavour and Māori artifacts that tell stories of the area’s early history.
* Explore Kerikeri
Kerikeri is about a 20 minute drive from Paihia and offers a blend of stunning bays, quirky cafes, art galleries, and numerous outdoor activities.
It's home to the Kerikeri Mission Station, New Zealand's oldest surviving European settlement. The Stone Store was built in the 1830s and you can also visit the Mission House, which showcases early settler life and Māori history.
Rainbow Falls is an impressive 27 meters (about 89 feet) high. The waterfall is named "Rainbow Falls" because on sunny days the mist created by the waterfall often catches the light, creating rainbows at the base of the falls. If you want to swim, check the current water quality (external site) before you enter the water!
Kerikeri is home to the famous Makana Confections, where you can watch chocolates being made and sample handmade treats.
Further Afield
* Visit Local Wineries
The Bay of Islands offers a burgeoning wine scene with vineyards producing high-quality wines in a scenic subtropical environment which many regards as home to some of the best chardonnays in the country.
* Visit Urupukapuka Island
Urupukapuka Island is a pest-free island easily accessible by ferry or water taxi from Paihia or Russell. There are some great beaches including Otehei Bay and Urupukapuka plus there are several well-maintained walking tracks.
* Kawiti Glowworm Caves
The glowworms in these caves are a unique species known as Arachnocampa luminosa, found only in New Zealand and Australia.
They create a display of twinkling lights in the darkness of the caves which is caused by their silk threads, which they use to trap insects and are illuminated by their bioluminescence.
* Manginangina Kauri Walk
The Manginangina Kauri Walk features some of the largest and oldest kauri trees in New Zealand, some of which are over 1,000 years old. The walk is a relatively short loop trail, approximately 1.2 kilometres (0.75 miles) long, making it suitable for all ages and fitness levels. It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to complete.
* Haruru Falls (Big Noise)
Haruru Falls is uniquely shaped like a horseshoe, one of the few falls in New Zealand with this distinctive shape. This shape allows the water to flow in a semicircle, giving it a broad and powerful cascade.
In the past, Haruru Falls was part of a major 'canoe highway' used by Māori tribes to travel between the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and inland areas. Māori used to paddle waka (canoes) up and down the river that connects to the falls.
Walking from the Waitangi Treaty Grounds to Haruru Falls takes around 1.5 to 2 hours each way along the Waitangi to Haruru Falls Track, covering about 5 kilometres (3 miles) one way. The trail is scenic, leading through native bush and a beautiful mangrove forest, with boardwalks and lookouts along the way.
If you’re up for a decent hike, walking there and back can be rewarding, but it would take around 3 to 4 hours total. Alternatively, you could walk one way to the falls and arrange a taxi or shuttle for the return trip if time is a factor. The trail itself is mostly flat, though it can be a bit muddy in places, so wearing sturdy walking shoes is a good idea.
Fun Things to Do in Bay of Islands with Kids
* Pahia Playgrounds
* Kerikeri Playground
As part of a recent revitalisation project, this area was transformed and now is a modern playground with swings, slides, tunnels, and climbing walls.
* Parrot Place, Kerikeri
Here you can see different types of parrots, including native New Zealand species like the Kākāpō and Kaka, along with exotic birds from around the world. There’s a play area for kids and a coffee kiosk.
Shopping in Bay of Islands
* Pahia
* Russell
* Kerikeri
Markets in Bay of Islands
* Pahia
Northland Art & Craft Markets. is set up on the Paihia Village Green on days when cruise ships carrying 500 or more passengers are in town.
https://www.focuspaihia.org.nz/village-green-markets
This Farmers Market at Pahia is open Thursday mornings from 10am – 1.30pm.
* Kerikeri
There is a market here every Saturday from 8:00am – 1:30pm and Sunday 9:00am – 1:00pm.
The Farmers Market at Kerikeri is open every Sunday mornings 8.30am – 12pm.
Eating & Drinking in Bay of Islands
* Pahia
* Russell
* Kerikeri
Other Useful Information
* Where to Find Free Wi-Fi in the Bay of Islands
Free WiFi is available at the Paihia i-SITE and is also available along the waterfront in Paihia and Russell.
* Supermarket and Grocery Store
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Happy cruising to Bay of Islands!
Anna @ New Zealand Cruises
www.new-zealand-cruises.com
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