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A coastal landscape with a sandy beach, a small boat, and lush greenery. 1
A sailboat with the number 7423 sailing on clear blue waters. 2
A person snorkeling in clear blue water. 3
A sailboat on a turquoise sea with a forested island in the background. 4
A sailboat docked at a beach with people standing nearby. 5
By Barefoot Sailing Adventures

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
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Overview

  • Most visitors see the Bay of Islands from a crowded deck. Our guests see it from the secret local spots that are not on the standard tourist circuit. The Island Hopper cruise takes you to a wildlife sanctuary island, by sail. It's a side of the Bay most tour boats never reach.

    Board straight from Paihia beachfront — the catamaran pulls up to the beach, kick off your shoes and you're on the water within minutes.

    As you sail, the crew will keep you entertained, and give you live commentary — coastline, history, the native wildlife that calls this special place home.

    At the island, the boat anchors for two hours where you can go ashore to swim, snorkel, paddleboard in the sheltered bay. Walk the native bush tracks through a working wildlife sanctuary. Take a packed picnic lunch to a spot of your choice.

    The sail home is where everything slows down, this is where the bliss factor kicks in, kick back relax. Or if you’re a keen sailor - help hoist the sails and join the crew at the helm

Activity location

  • Moturua Island
    • Te Tai-tokerau, Te Tai-tokerau, New Zealand

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Barefoot Sailing Adventures
    • Marsden Road
    • 0247, Paihia, Northland Region, New Zealand

Check availability

What's included, what's not

  • Inclusions
    Live commentary throughout
  • Inclusions
    Sail through the Bay of Islands to a remote wildlife sanctuary island
  • Inclusions
    Cold drink on the return sail
  • Inclusions
    Island time - 2 hrs — water activities, bush tracks, beaching, exploring, picnic lunch
  • Inclusions
    Snorkel equipment and paddleboard use
  • Inclusions
    Live crew commentary throughout — genuine sailing, not a tour bus on water
  • Inclusions
    - Morning tea — coffee, tea, hot chocolate, biscuits
  • Inclusions
    Packed Picnic Lunch— Deli sandwich, fruit, cake/muffin, nut bar & chips. Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free, or Dairy Free option available - please make a note in the comments section when booking
  • Inclusions
    Full day sailing adventure (approx. 6 hours)
  • Exclusions
    Please bring your own water bottle, we can refill for you. Tea/coffee provided.

Know before you book

    • Public transport options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Boarding is from the Paihia beach — which requires you to be steady on your feet and able to manage using a boarding ladder without physical assistance. You will step from the sand into shallow water, then onto a boarding ladder to get onto the catamaran. In some conditions (such as a very low tide) a dinghy may be used to get from shore to the boat.
    • This cruise includes optional activities - Walking on bush tracks of moderate grade, walking on uneven natural terrain (footwear recommended). To join the water activities, guests must be able to swim in open water unassisted.
    • Non-swimmers are very welcome onboard. We have lifejackets if you wish to wear one during the sailing time.
    • CRUISE SHIP CUSTOMERS please check the arrival & departure time of your ship BEFORE you book this cruise. We advise a 1.5 hour window either side of cruise ship anchor/departure is recommended to allow time to get to and from our departure point. The ship arrival point is not the same as the departure point for tours in the Bay of Islands (we are happy to help you with directions - please message us ship/date details) PLEASE don't make a booking as a "placeholder" while you consider your options, check your itinerary first, please. We do not make allowances for a change in ship schedule. Normal terms and conditions apply.
    • Vegetarian, Vegan, Dairy Free, Gluten Free lunches are available- please request in the notes during the booking process. LUNCHES ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR FOOD ALLERGIES as we can't guarantee there is no cross contamination of allergens. If you have a food allergy please bring your own lunch for your personal safety and satisfaction.
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 5 (including infants) require a child ticket to board.
    • Operates in most weather conditions, please dress appropriately, and be prepared for a day in the great outdoors
    • Refunds will not be issued if you miss the boat due to late or non-arrival. The boat departs on time without exception to stay on schedule so please ensure you have allowed ample time for travel & parking.
    • Not recommended for people with poor mobility
    • If you're unsure whether this works for you, please contact us before booking. We'd rather help you to make the right choice, than have you find out at the water's edge.

Activity itinerary

Bay of Islands (Pass by)

Enjoy a 6 hour sailing cruise in the Bay of Islands with a 2 hour island stopover at a stunning wildlife sanctuary island for activities like snorkelling, paddleboarding, hikes, and picnic lunch. Get to know your crew, and have a go at sailing or just kick back and relax. The choice is yours.

Paihia Harbour (Pass by)

Departing from Paihia beach at 10am, we set sail and make our way through the Paihia harbour, enjoying a cuppa tea/coffee/milo & biscuits during the start of the cruise. Get to know your skipper and crew, enjoy the sailing activity while it is happening all around you.

Russell (Pass by)

If the wind direction is right, the engines go off, the sails fill, and the only sound is the water lapping the hulls. That's when the real magic begins. From here we sail the Bay of Islands inlet, then track north along the Russell peninsula, Tapeka point coastline and into the wider Bay of Islands with the outer islands opening up ahead.

Motuarohia (Roberton) Island Track (Pass by)

We sail on by Motuarohia Island, a picturesque island known for it's twin lagoons, and famous for Captain Cook's early arrival which early encounters with maori followed, making history which is talked about for years to follow.

Moturua Island

  • 2h
Our favourite choice for the lunchtime island stopover, Moturua Island is a predator free wildlife sanctuary island where the native bush grows right down to the beach and is abundant with New Zealand's unique wildlife species. Here we enjoy a 2 hour island stopover where the boat anchors in a sheltered bay for you to step ashore onto the beach and enjoy your choice of activities. Snorkel or paddleboard in the bay, relax on the beach or explore the beautiful bush tracks - a 15 min walk will have you in another secluded bay enjoying a picnic lunch. Home to rare bird species kiwi, kakariki, saddleback, robin, whitehead, ruru, as well as the giant weta and many other New Zealand's endangered species, you will hear the bird song even before the anchor drops. PLEASE NOTE - we can only make 1 stop at 1 island destination for the 2 hour island stopover for the optional activities. So we will choose from EITHER Moturua or Urupukapuka Island. (please see next destination on itinerary)

Urupukapuka Island (Pass by)

This is our next choice for the 2 hour island stopover. If wind & sea conditions dictate Urupukapuka is the best option for a sheltered anchorage then we will go where the wind takes us! Known for it's beautiful walking tracks and superb views, Urupukapuka is a stunning island destination. Although we don't visit Otehei Bay (where the big tourist boats go) we like to find a quieter haven on this island for more of a nature experience away from the crowds at Paradise Bay or Entico Bay - it as as beautiful as it sounds! Here you can also experience New Zealand's rare bird life on the walking tracks We enjoy a 2 hour island stopover where the boat anchors for you to step ashore onto the beach and enjoy your choice of activities. Snorkel or paddleboard in the bay, relax on the beach or explore the beautiful bush tracks. PLEASE NOTE - we can only make 1 stop at 1 island destination for the 2 hour island stopover. So we will choose from EITHER Moturua or Urupukapuka Island.

Waitangi (Pass by)

Depending on the wind and swell that day, the skipper choices the best line for the return sail to Paihia, sometimes out towards Moturoa Island and tucking in close to the mainland cliffs at Waitangi where you will see the Waitangi flag post at the Treaty Grounds from the sea. Sometimes tracking in closer to Russell, and heading up towards the entrance to the Opua inlet before turning back in to Paihia. No two days run exactly the same route, which is really the beauty of sailing.

Paihia Beach (Pass by)

Returning to Paihia beach at around 4pm. A beautiful relaxing place to end to a great day's sailing!

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Moturua Island
    • Te Tai-tokerau, Te Tai-tokerau, New Zealand

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Barefoot Sailing Adventures
    • Marsden Road
    • 0247, Paihia, Northland Region, New Zealand

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