Nau mai, Haere Mai
Bay of Islands
Where Stories Begin
The Bay of Islands is an elegant, vast and stunning district on the beautiful east coast of Northland, New Zealand. The 144 subtropical islands are centred around the main hub of Paihia, Opua and Waitangi, our nation’s birthplace. Where you can find most of the water-based activities of the area. Go out on a cruise to check out the wildlife or the breathtaking scenery. Go swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking and sailing. Across the water from Paihia is Russell, the first capital of New Zealand which is surrounded by history. Inland are the towns of Kawakawa and Kaikohe where there are heaps of natural features, historical sites and great food to experience, not to mention the array of award-winning wineries to indulge in.
Reel and Photo Competition
WIN $500 cash plus an experience – you just need to submit a reel or photo of your time in the Bay!
🎥📸 We want to see the Bay of Islands through your eyes — the real moments, the funny ones, the everyday adventures and the beautiful surprises.
👉 Anyone can enter
👉 Free to enter
👉 You don’t need fancy gear — phone pics, quick reels, family snaps and short clips are perfect
Please don’t worry about whether it’s “good enough” – we’re looking for entries that feel real and tell a story.
There are Adult and Youth categories — and some awesome prizes up for grabs, including cash + local experiences.
Where to start?
Our pick of the best
What's on at the bay
Kupe Sites: Ngā tapuwae o Kupe | Landmarks of the Great Voyager
13 December 2025 - 13 February 2026Kupe Sites: Ngā tapuwae o Kupe | Landmarks of the Great Voyager13 December 2025 – 13 February 2026Te Kōngahu Museum ...
Bay of Islands Sailing Week
19 January 2026 - 23 January 2026Bay of Islands Sailing Week19–23 January 2026 Bay of Islands Sailing Week is one of New Zealand’s premier sailing re...
Cruz’n the Bayz 2026
5 March 2026 - 8 March 2026Nau mai haere mai, Cruz’n the Bayz has grown over three years, and many have enjoyed this fantastic event. We are ...
Where will you start your journey?
Here on a corporate occasion or for work?
Looking for inspiration?
4 day adventure itinerary
Looking for a long weekend to leave you sandy, breathless, excited and wide-eyed? Check out this action filled programme and start packing!
Cultural itinerary
The Bay of Islands has some of New Zealand’s earliest historic sites. The first capital city of New Zealand was Russell, also known at one point as the Hellhole of the Pacific!
3 day relaxation itinerary
If you need a little R&R in beautiful surroundings with top notch food and wine, you’ve come to the right place. Book yourself a long, luxurious weekend in some of the Bay of Islands’ premier destinations and forget the world for a while.