The first Polynesian voyagers probably arrived in The Bay of Islands during the 11th century, but it wasn't until after the landing of the British sea voyager Captain Cook in 1769 that missionaries, whalers and traders arrived. The Treaty of Waitangi, the document that founded bicultural New Zealand, was signed at Waitangi in 1840.

Bay of What?
There are 144 islands off the coast of Paihia (the main town), so the locals might be forgiven if they don't know the names each & every one. Tutukaka is the gateway to great diving at the famous Poor Knights Islands, with a wildlife marine reserve above the water and a marine reserve below.

Bay of Islands's Record Breaking

• 
  Bay of Islands has 144 coastal islands.
• Russell was the first permanent European settlement in New Zealand. It was once known as "the hell hole of the Pacific" when it was the shore leave destination for sailors, whalers and traders in the early 19th century.
• Cavalli Islands is the last resting place of the famous Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior. The ship was sank by French saboteurs in 1985 in Auckland Harbour, but its skeletal remains were later transported here where it now serves as an artificial reef that is home to a huge variety of aquatic life.

Local Knowledge

• 
  When it comes to fishing, you really must go with the local charter fishermen like Steve Butler from Earl Grey Fishing Charters.
• The Puketi Kauri Forest near Kerikeri has an elevated wooden walkway which is accessible by wheelchair. The path is designed to protect the kauris' sensitive feeding roots and allows you to get a close look at these magnificent trees.
• Most local taxis are expensive. One local alternative is Dial-A-Ride which runs a shuttle service from Kerikeri Airport.

Getting Around

Paihia is a central location from where you can take a relaxing walk along unspoiled beaches, join a guided tour through historical sites, adventure seek or go fishing. Paihia has friendly locals, happy cafés and people enjoying life. Whether the getting around involves a cruise to swim with delightful dolphins, taking in a spot of retail therapy or just lazing under a tree, the Bay of Islands is perfect.

Russell is a quick ferry ride across the water from Paihia and today is a favoured spot for boaties seeking safe anchorage. Historic Kerikeri is a 30 minute drive north from Paihia.

Regional Attractions Accessible From Bay of Islands

• Cape Reinga where the currents swirl off shore when the two mighty water bodies of the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean will make any New Zealand trip complete.
• Ninety Mile Beach (which is, yes, 90 miles long), on the west coast, is a great place to drive on the hardened sand. Sand tobogganing is an exhilarating pass-time here.
• Kerikeri was home ground for the fearsome Hongi Hika, a Maori chief who terrorised many tribes throughout the North Island in the early 1800s. Yet he was kind to missionaries - allowing Samuel Marsden to establish New Zealand's second mission station here. Kerikeri overflows with orchards and galleries, fruit and art.

Best Views

Best Months

When the westward, warm water currents of the South Pacific turn south along the north New Zealand coastline, it produces a semi-tropical maritime climate enjoyed by the Bay of Islands. The tempered environment influences the summer from getting too hot (Nov- April). The Spring and Fall are mild and the bay area is referred to as "winter less".

Clothing

Bay of Islands is nature's equivalent of a super-model, so the first accessory has to be the camera. Live style is very casual so don't worry about high fashion. Due to the ozone layer above New Zealand, it is strongly advisable to include sunscreen lotion, sunglasses and a hat.

Shopping

Kerikeri Mission House (1821), and NZ's oldest stone building, the Stone Store (1822) are on the art & craft trail. The community overflows with fruit orchards and art galleries. Get to know some of the artisans, visit the wineries & lunch in an outdoor café.

Other Facts

Telephone Area Code: 09
Population: 54,576 (2001)
Summer Average Maximum Temperature: 24°
Winter Average Maximum Temperature: 16°
Local emergency contact number for all Police, Fire and St John Ambulances: 111

Activities

Day Tours in Bay of Islands

Bay of Islands has forests and shorelines and activities centred around the outdoors. It can offer the visitor some great holiday experiences as outlined below:

	Swim With The Dolphins Fullers Bay of Islands will take you on the ultimate eco-marine adventure out into the most beautiful of National Maritime Parks. Conditions permitting, you have the chance to get up close and even swim with Dolphins in the wild – a wonderful opportunity to experience these magnificent mammals at play. Book with us
	Excitor Fast Boat Cruise The Excitor, Fast Boat Company will take you on a 90-minute adventure of fun and exhilaration to Cathedral Cove (“Hole in the Rock”). Travel at speed to points of interest, with seats up the front for the brave and down the back for the more faint hearted. Book with us.
	The Cream Trip In 1886, Albert Fuller launched the "Undine" sailing ship to deliver coal supplies to the islands and with a new motor he went as far out as Cape Brett. In 1927 he acquired the "Cream Trip" from Eddie Lane, to transport cream from the islands. The "Bay Belle" started its run in the 1960's & continues to transport people, however a modern catamaran now takes the route.
	The Bay and Cape Brett Join a cruise to Cape Brett, to travel through the famous “Hole in the Rock” (weather permitting). Stop at islands and hear the commentary of the missionary history. Book with us.
	Waitangi Treaty Grounds The Waitangi Grounds were gifted to the nation by Lord & Lady Bledisloe in 1932. Here you'll see a fascinating insight into New Zealand's past. The Treaty of Waitangi document, was first signed here in 1840 between Maori chiefs & the British Crown, & became the basis for life in New Zealand as we know it. Book with us.
	The Bay & Russell Mini Tour Arrive in Paihia and visit the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds. After visiting the treaty grounds a Fullers Ferry will take you to Russell, the first capital of New Zealand and significant in history of both the Maori and European. Book with us.

Things to do in Bay of Islands

This list will assist you in accessing all the natural and man-made visitor attractions and activities that Bay of Islands has to offer.

	Haruru Falls Haruru means "big noise". Maori legend states that a taniwha (water monster) lives in the lagoon below. You can walk to Haruru Falls along the Waitangi walking track, or drive to Haruru Falls township - which is only 3 kilometres from Paihia. In the 1800s, there were over 100 Maori villages along the Haruru Falls river.
	Puketi Forest Puketi Forest, along with Omahuta Forest, forms one of the largest contiguous tracts of native forest in New Zealand's Northland. Home to Te Tangi o te Tui Puketi, the fourth largest living Kauri tree. Puketi is easily accessible from the Bay of Islands, Whangaroa and Hokianga Harbour.
	Waipoua Forest Tane Mahuta is New Zealand's tallest Kauri Tree, growing in Waipoua Forest. The gigantic specimen is a remnant of the tremendous ancient subtropical rain forest; a survivor of 200 years of intensive logging. By counting rings from felled trees of similar circumference, Tane Mahuta is believed to be 2,100 years old.

Activities Outside Bay of Islands

These activities are available to the north and west of the Bay of Islands.

	Cape Reinga Cape Reinga is as far as you can go in New Zealand. It is one of the Maori's most important sacred sites. Walk up to the lighthouse and take in expansive panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea as they merge.
	Ninety Mile Beach Drive along Ninety Mile Beach, regarded by many to be one of the best surf casting beaches in the world. At Te Paki Stream, many visitors stop to sand surf the giant sand dunes by the beach. You might be lucky enough to sight some of the many wild horses that live in the area.
	Bay of Islands Overnight Cruise The Bay of Islands region, known to early Maori as Ipipiri was an industrious coastal sea highway. Maori wakas (canoes) used this for fishing, freight, passengers & troop carriers. Later came whalers, missionaries, traders & naval vessels. Shipping lists detailed 1,575 visits to the Bay between 1803 and 1840. Many of our tours stay overnight on the bay.
	Kerikeri Kerikeri is rich in the arts and crafts and renowned for its oranges and kiwi fruit. The Stone Store & the Kemp House, sit in the picturesque Keri Keri Basin. Rewa's Village and Kororipo Pa, a replica of a pre-European Maori fishing village (kainga), are a chance to soak up the history. The kauri forests are home to the brown kiwi, kokako and kaka birds.
	Kauri Cliffs & a Stunning Golf Course One of the best golf courses in the world, Kauri Cliffs, near Kerikeri, offers golfers amazing views over Matauri Bay. Opened in 2000, the par 72 championship golf course offers five sets of tees to challenge every skill level. 15 holes look over the Pacific Ocean, six of which are played alongside cliffs that plunge to the sea.

Diary of Events

Coach Tours Which Include Bay of Islands

The following fully escorted coach tours are our top 3 which include Bay of Islands.

Ultimate North Island 10 days in New Zealand's North Island from Auckland to Wellington, via the Bay of Islands, gives varied activities such as a cruise to famous rocky coastal formations, a day with renowned naturalist Kiwi Dundee or his 3 protégées for a walk through fern groves and glow-worm studded gold mine, the thrill of sailing on a 12m yacht on Auckland Harbour, the sights and smells of Rotorua's thermal wonderland, Rainbow Springs Trout Farm, a Maori Hangi, the thunderous Huka Falls, and New Zealand's capital city, Wellington.

Best of New Zealand Fully escorted coach touring to see New Zealand's many seasons from cruising the rugged rocky coastline, Bay of Islands beaches, Maori native culture, glow-worm caves, Rotorua's geysers & hot mud pools, NZ's capital city, Interislander Cruise, fur seals & optional whale watching flight, touring past NZ's highest mountain, alpine scenic lakes, ski capital Queenstown, a tour of an historic castle, cruising on Fiordland past waterfalls & rock seals in Milford Sound, staying near icy glaciers and garden city Bay of Islands- all in 17 days.

Highlights of New Zealand Tour In 16 days from Bay of Islands to Bay of Islands, via the Bay of Islands, Rotorua, Kaianua, Napier, Wellington, Blenheim and Kaikoura, accompanied by your guide, this coach tour covers the best of New Zealand. Enjoy special city tours all the major centres. Cruise out to natural phenomena of 'Hole in the Rock', spotting dolphin pods along the way. Cruise on the Interislander. Visit museums, a castle and Woodland Gardens. At Rotorua get down amongst the mud pools, see sky high geysers, Paradise Valley Springs, a sheep shearing demonstration and the Skyline Gondola & Luge. Enjoy the scenery including Huka Falls and the Mt Cook region.

Films Made in this Region

The film Mesmerized 1984, and Savage Islands in 1983, were shot in the Bay of Islands. American author Zane Grey publicised the Bay of Islands as a renowned big-game fishing area in the 1930s.

Eating & Sleeping

Cuisine

With a name like "Bay of Islands" seafood would have to be on the dinner plate. Kerikeri is a buzzing town centre full of stylish cafes, restaurants and bars that serve great food from middle eastern cuisine to seafood delights; you are guaranteed to find a superb cup of coffee.

Regional Specialties

Maori crafts in kauri tree wood and greenstone are abundant in the region. Kerikeri is a hot food spot where you can sample wines, indulge in delicious handmade chocolates or locally made macadamia nut liqueur.

Accommodation

The following is a selection of the hotels Relaxing Journeys use in our escorted coach tours.

Hotel Paihia Enjoy your Bay of Islands holiday by choosing to stay in the relaxed and tranquil atmosphere of the Hotel Paihia. Located close to the centre of Paihia and its major visitor attractions, Hotel Paihia is ideally positioned as a base from where to explore the Bay of Islands.

Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands The Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands is situated on four acres of park-like surrounds and attractive gardens, providing the perfect setting for a relaxing time. The hotel is an ideal base for your next Bay of Islands holiday, conference or special lazy weekend. With a choice of accommodation and extensive guest facilities you'll soon feel right at home.

Premium

Copthorne Bay of Islands Resort Copthorne Hotel & Resort Bay of Islands is located within the Waitangi National Trust Reserve, surrounded by bush walks a scenic golf course the historic national Treaty House and the beautiful sparkling waters of the Bay of Islands.