Doubtless Bay Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Cable Bay featuring tranquil scenes, a bay or harbour and boating
Doubtless Bay
Doubtless Bay
Doubtless Bay
Doubtless Bay

Try some watersports in this idyllic bay in New Zealand’s remote Northland, a perfect stop over on your way to the famous lighthouse on Cape Rēinga.

Doubtless Bay is one big watersports playground. Go fishing, kayaking, sailing, diving, stand-up paddleboarding or swimming and then relax on the beach or in a seafood café.

Stretching north from Coopers Beach to Whatuwhiwhi, Doubtless Bay is horseshoe shaped and named so because Captain James Cook dryly observed in 1769 that it was “doubtless a bay.”

Start your explorations at Coopers Beach and Cable BayOpens in a new window, two popular vacation spots with excellent swimming beaches.

In nearby Taipa, visit the Taute Gallery & Tours for live carving, weaving and tamoko (tattooing) demonstrations and workshops by local Māori artists. Also try a mirimiri (healing massage), rongoa (natural therapy) and buy pottery or artistic prints for a souvenir.

Drive out onto the Karikari PeninsulaOpens in a new window to see the northern tip of Doubtless Bay. Stroll along Perehipe Beach and explore Matai Bay. Whatuwhiwhi is a vacation resort at the northern end of Tokerau Beach. These beaches are all excellent fishing spots due to the presence of paddle crabs and tua tua, which are nibbled on by snapper.

Of course, you can also just order your fish, with some chips. Find one of the country’s most praised seafood cafés in Mill Bay in Mangonui, a picture-perfect town at Doubtless Bay’s southern tip. Munch on deep-fried squid rings, green-lipped mussels or oysters while stingrays cruise by in the waters below. Don’t miss the wonderful art in the historic, kauri-wooden Mangonui Courthouse. Talented locals stock the gallery’s art shop with truly original creations. Stay the night in town for a chance to see penguins waddle ashore at dusk.

Mangonui once housed one of the largest whaling fleets in the South Pacific. At nearby Butler Point, explore the Whaling Museum housed in a 1840s homestead. Admire the kauri whaleboat and explore the garden with its macadamia nut tree orchard and pōhutukawa (Christmas) trees. Butler Point also has a former Māori hilltop fort, called a pā.

Doubtless Bay is about halfway along the coastal road from the Bay of IslandsOpens in a new window to the lighthouse on Cape RēingaOpens in a new window, making it the perfect place for a refreshing stop on your way north.

From fishing to discovering Māori culture, you doubtlessly will want to return after experiencing the lifestyle in idyllic Doubtless Bay.

Taipa Beach Resort

Taipa Beach Resort

4 out of 5
22 Taipa Point Road, Taipa
The price is NZ$209 per night from 1 Aug to 2 Aug
NZ$209
1 Aug - 2 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Taipa. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (321 reviews)
"Beautiful setting and rooms were very clean and spacious. Food wise, would definitely recommend the steak and garlic pizza bread! Staff were very welcoming, helpful and friendly! Second night, was a bit of a downer in the restaurant, we were told they were fully booked at that time, but we weren't ..."

Reviewed on 22 Jun. 2025

Taipa Beach Resort
Panoramic views to Doubtless Bay

Panoramic views to Doubtless Bay

Cable Bay
Book a stay at this golf vacation home in Cable Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and a pool table. Popular attractions Taumarumaru Recreation Reserve ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (94 reviews)
Lovely location
"Beautiful large house. Great for family with a teal ‘home’ feel."

Reviewed on 15 Jul. 2025

Panoramic views to Doubtless Bay
Doubtless Bay Villas

Doubtless Bay Villas

4.5 out of 5
20 Dudley Cresent, Cable Bay
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Cable Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and in-room massages. Popular attractions Cable Bay Beach and Taumarumaru ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (175 reviews)
"This was not our first stay and won’t be our last. Always an excellent experience."

Reviewed on 18 Jul. 2025

Doubtless Bay Villas
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Panoramic views to Doubtless Bay

Panoramic views to Doubtless Bay

Cable Bay
Book a stay at this golf vacation home in Cable Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and a pool table. Popular attractions Taumarumaru Recreation Reserve ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (94 reviews)
Lovely location
"Beautiful large house. Great for family with a teal ‘home’ feel."

Reviewed on 15 Jul. 2025

Panoramic views to Doubtless Bay
Doubtless Bay Villas

Doubtless Bay Villas

4.5 out of 5
20 Dudley Cresent, Cable Bay
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Cable Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and in-room massages. Popular attractions Cable Bay Beach and Taumarumaru ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (175 reviews)
"This was not our first stay and won’t be our last. Always an excellent experience."

Reviewed on 18 Jul. 2025

Doubtless Bay Villas
Patia Point View - Stunning views!

Patia Point View - Stunning views!

Whatuwhiwhi
Book a stay at this beach vacation home in Karkari Peninsula. Enjoy a beach locale, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Perehipe Beach and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (123 reviews)
"Views where awesome despite the weather. Was a very relaxing time and lots of privacy. Fishing was great and had an awesome stay away"

Reviewed on 13 Jun. 2025

Patia Point View - Stunning views!
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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