Boutique hotels
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Eagles Nest
- Style
- Modern, minimal, magical
- Setting
- Private peninsula paradise
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The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs
- Style
- Upscale country manor
- Setting
- Coastal cliffs, Pacific panoramas
Bay of Islands Overview
North Island
- Coastline
- Cliffs, coves and clear blue sea
- Coast Life
- Maori culture, maritime nature
‘Easy does it’ is the mantra in this subtropical sanctuary where you can frolic amid 144 islands, craggy coves and crystalline waters on the breathtaking north-east coast of NZ’s North Island.
Animal lovers can spot dolphins, whales and penguins, while culture-vultures can soak up the area’s fascinating early history and rich Maori heritage. It’s the best of both worlds: plenty of buzzy surf-and-turf activities with loads of slacker alternatives for just kicking back and recharging. Do the rounds of pretty tourist hub Paihia, sleepy, historic Russell and mellow Kerikeri (known for its orchards and cafés) – as well as the famous Waitangi National Reserve. Or just tap into the laid-back pace of small-town seaside life by banking some beach time (Mother Nature has pulled out all the stops in this idyllic bay-bedecked wilderness). Captain Cook visited for a week in 1769; we suggest you do the same.
Beautifully Bay of Islands
The last resting place of the famous Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior is here, at the Cavalli Islands, and is an evocative spot for diving. The ship was sunk by French saboteurs in 1985 in Auckland Harbour, but its skeletal remains were later transported to the Bay of Islands, where it now serves as an artificial reef that is home to a huge variety of aquatic life. Dive HQ operates trips out of Paihia (www.divenz.com). To find out more see www.rainbow-warrior.org.nz.
Local Knowledge
- Taxis
- Local hubs Kerikeri and Paihia have taxis but they are usually run by tour operators and can be expensive. Dial-A-Ride offers a taxi and shuttle service between Kerikeri Airport and the Bay of Islands (www.dial-a-ride.co.nz). Water taxis are also available, but again are used mostly for private tours and start from NZ$130 for up to six people (www.islandshuttle.co.nz).
- Tipping culture
- Optional five to 15 per cent tip depending on service.
- Siesta and fiesta
- Most shops are open seven days a week from 9am to 5pm. Restaurants get busy about 7pm and booking is advisable during the summer.
- Packing tips
- Stock up on sunblock – and space on your camera’s memory card. Recommended reads The Tales of the Angler’s Eldorado, by US Western writer Zane Grey, evokes an angling addict’s passion for this marlin-fishing paradise.
- Recommended reads
- US Western writer Zane Grey and his books The Tales of the Angler’s Eldorado detail this angling addict’s view of the region as a marlin-fishing paradise.
- Cuisine
- It doesn’t get fresher than this; local produce, from vegetables to seafood, is plentiful. Test-drive it in the region’s clutch of top restaurants, or in its many cafés serving tasty meals and mighty fine coffee.
- Currency
- New Zealand dollar (NZ$).
- Time zone
- GMT +12.
- Dialling codes
- Country code for New Zealand: +64; Bay of Islands: (0)9.
- Do go/don't go
- The warmer months from September to April are the best time to visit as it can get chilly in winter, when many tour companies close down.
Don't go home without...
getting a gannet’s-eye view of the region by taking a scenic flight. Heliops offers a number of helicopter flight routes, from NZ$135 a person for a 20-minute bay-view whirl (with three on board), as well as heli-fishing trips to remote islands and rocks (www.heliops.co.nz).
