Sailing Bay of Islands Day Trips & Sailing Options
Day Sailing Charters Bay of Islands
Bare Boat Charters
Whatever your level of sailing experience, sailing in the Bay of Islands is something that should be on everyone’s Must Do bucket list. There are fully crewed options, to self-sail rentals for the more experienced. Whether you want to try your hand at a simple self-sail Hobbie-cat through to hoisting the sails or taking the helm whilst sailing on one one of the many day sailing charter options, the options are all here in the Bay of Islands. You can get as involved or as uninvolved as your experience or mood allows you. If you’re the type that likes your fun a little more ‘hands-on’, you’re in luck, as you’ll have the chance to take a rope or steer the helm, helping the crew to sail on these relaxed cruising yachts through the islands
Each sailing option offers different itineraries for the day all offer stop off at an island to spend time exploring with island walks, or just laze on the beach, take a swim, Stand up Paddleboards & Kayaking and for lunch a barbecue on board or a freshly produced lunch prepared by your crew along with drink options including coffee & other beverages or bring along your favourite wine/beer
Eight Great Ways to Experience Sailing in the Bay of Islands
Day Sailing Aboard Carino NZ
‘Carino NZ’ a 50 ft spacious catamaran designed and built for day sailing in the Bay of Islands.
licensed by ‘Department of Conservation’ to view dolphins in the Bay, we love the Bay of Islands and we are committed to giving you a fun and relaxing way to enjoy your best holiday experience that combines sailing and exploring the Bay of Islands, Island stops with scenic walks, swim, sunbathe followed by a Barbecue lunch andthe possible opportunity for dolphin viewing in the afternoon
Price: $168 per person – Child $110 pp (Includes BBQ lunch)
Departs: 9:30 am Paihia Wharf
Duration: approx 6 Hours
Barefoot Sailing Adventures
The Bay of Islands is a truly magical place to go sailing, with its myriad of some 144 islands, its calm, pristine waters, golden sand beaches with islands to explore and an abundance of marine wildlife of birds, seals and dolphins, add of course, the stunning scenery.
An opportunity for visitors to experience for a day or longer sailing aboard our boat, “Kopiko”, a modern 33ft spacious catamaran, which offers a comfortable sailing experience for everyone – you can bring the whole family!
Price: $175 per person
Departs: 10:00 am Paihia Beach
Duration: approx 6 Hours
She's A Lady
‘She’s a Lady’ attracts friendly people who want to have a fun day’s sail. Feel the wind in your hair, learn about the area’s history, the marine life and natural wonders, as we cruise amongst the islands and stunning bays. It’s possible we might see Dolphins, Penguins, Whales, Orca and a wide variety of seabirds on any given day.
Enjoy an island stopover as we drop anchor in a tranquil island bay. You will have heaps of time for swimming, snorkelling or the opportunity to take a walk to enjoy the 360′ panoramic vista’s on top of the island.
Included in the trip are our innovative ‘see through bottom’ kayaks, extremely stable and easy to paddle which enable you to steer through the crystal clear waters, past pristine beaches and rugged coastline, exploring the undersea world without getting wet.
Price: $130 per person
Departs: 09:45 am Paihia Wharf
Duration: approx 6 Hours
Vigilant Sailing Charters
Vigilant Yacht Charters offers a comfortable and spacious sailing experience for up to 10 people with clients who love to sit back and relax enjoying the wildlife, while others get a real thrill out of taking an active part in hoisting the sails and taking the helm of this beautiful 42 foot classic boat.
Set sail from Russell on a full-day sailing adventure and fall in love with New Zealand’s sparkling gem aboard the magnificent decks of Vigilant. This classic sailing yacht was built in 1980 and has spent all her life in Russell.
With over 140 islands to choose from you can kayak swim or snorkel in crystal clear water in its many bays and lagoon’s or walk along their secluded beaches and scenic look-outs only accessible from the sea.
Price: $140 per person
Departs: 10:00 am Russell Wharf
Duration: approx 6 Hours
Sail the Bay of Islands and Beyond in Luxury aboard "Serenity"
“Discover the breathtaking beauty of the Bay of Islands on board our luxurious sailing catamaran, “Serenity”. Departing from Paihia, we’ll hoist the sails and set sail into the stunning waters of the Bay of Islands. Take in the sights and relax as we cruise past some of the 144 picturesque islands.
We’ll anchor in a sheltered bay and treat you to a sumptuous Kiwi barbeque lunch prepared onboard. After lunch, you can explore the surroundings, hike to the nearest viewpoint, or take advantage of our snorkeling gear, fishing gear, tender with sea biscuit, and paddleboards for some exciting water activities. If relaxation is more your style, we have plenty of lounging areas onboard or you can pick a quiet spot on the beach.
At the end of the day, we’ll weigh anchor and set sail back to Paihia. Enjoy the scenic beauty as we make our way back, sipping on a complimentary beverage.
Bayscapes Charters
Help with hoisting the sails or simply sit back and relax as we sail out into the Bay of Islands. Anchoring near one of the several islands and unpopulated beaches only accessible by boat.
After we have anchored, you may pick how to spend the rest of your voyage. Swim in the emerald-blue waves. Alternatively, you may ride a dinghy to the beach and have our packed lunch. Alternatively, go for a walk around the island. You have so much time that you can do anything! Snorkeling equipment and stand up paddle boards are also available.
There’s a lot to accomplish before sailing back home at the end of the day.
A packed lunch, a two-hour island break, snorkelling, and stand-up paddle boarding are all included.
Price: $155 per person
Departs: 09:30 am Paihia Wharf
Duration: approx 6 Hours
Phantom Charters
Phantom Charters leaves at 10am from the port of Russell, sailing through the myriad of islands of theBay of Islands. During your trip with us, we will take you to our personal favourite locations, featuring island stopovers and snorkelling opportunities. We will stop in a sheltered cove for lunch, giving ample time for a lazy, enjoyable meal before travelling on. We cater to Sailing with a small group with a maximum of 10 guests providing a more personal experience.
Swim, snorkel, explore and discover
Picture yourself sailing to islands in unspoiled beautiful surroundings, turquoise water lapping at your feet, arriving at golden sands untainted by footprints… This is the Bay of Islands, New Zealand.
Phantom Charters are your small group tour operator, providing a comfortable and personal sailing experience to many of the Bay of Islands’ ‘secret spots’. Take advantage of your day with us to explore this coastline from a completely new perspective: whether you have a destination in mind, or whether you’d like us to guide you – the choice is yours, the pleasure is ours.
Tall Ship R. Tucker Thompson
Experience sailing on a tall ship on the ‘R.Tucker Thompson’ through the spectacularly beautiful Bay of Islands. Many visitors have said that it has been the highlight of their holiday…and not without good reason. Choose from either a full day sailing or for those with not so much time to spare enjoy a relaxing late afternoon sail through the inner bay around the area of Paihia and Waitangi.
A day sailing trip on the R.Tucker Thompson is one of the few opportunities to go sailing on a working tall ship, in one of the most spectacularly beautiful parts of New Zealand, the Bay of Islands. With the wind behind us, this is one of the most environmentally friendly way to see the Bay; you can be sure your carbon footprint is minimal.
Join us on this uplifting journey, take the helm, hoist the sails or climb the rigging, enjoy freshly baked scones from the galley whilst relaxing on our spacious deck and enjoy a lunchtime swim in one of many sheltered bays. Our friendly and knowledgeable crew will share stories of this stunning region and you will be served a delicious barbecue lunch on board.
N.B. Our Sailing Trips operate 1 st November 2020 to 29 th April 2021
Price: $159 per person includes ferry from paihia (9:30 am )
Departs: 10:00 am Russell Wharf
Duration: approx 6 Hours
