Bay of Islands

Go to the Bay of Islands for coastal sailing, dolphin-watching boat trips and some of New Zealand's early European history.

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The Bay of Islands is a coastal region in Northland, at the top of New Zealand's North Island. The bay has many islands, and it is ringed by small towns. Paihia is the main base for boat trips and places to stay. Russell, across the water, is an older settlement reached by a short ferry ride. Kerikeri, about 30 minutes by car inland, has the Stone Store and Kemp House, two of the country's oldest buildings.

Waitangi, a short drive from Paihia, is where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, and the Waitangi Treaty Grounds explain it on site. You can pair that visit with a boat trip to the islands, where the water suits sailing, sea kayaking and dolphin spotting. The Bay of Islands suits couples, families and travelers who want a slower coastal trip. Summer, roughly December to February, is the warmest time. Plan two to four days; add more if you want to sail.

Bay of Islands in five

Get an NZeTA before you flyMost visitors who do not need a visa must still apply for an NZeTA online before boarding. Australian passport holders are exempt, so check your passport on the official site.Visas and entry
Rent a car for the drive from AucklandPaihia, Russell and Kerikeri have no train, and the drive from Auckland takes about 3.5 hours. A car lets you move around the bay on your own schedule, while boat trips are run by tour operators.Getting around
Take the ferry from Paihia to RussellThe passenger ferry crosses the bay in about 10 to 15 minutes, while the road round the bay is much longer. Check the operator's timetable on the day.
Book the Hole in the Rock cruise earlyCruises from Paihia run out to the rock arch near Cape Brett, and weather can cancel a sailing. Book ahead for summer and keep one spare day in case a trip is called off.Tours and tickets
Follow DOC rules for dolphin swimsDolphins in the bay are protected, and the Department of Conservation sets how close boats and swimmers may go. Pick an operator that follows those rules.

Things to do in Bay of Islands

See all attractions in Bay of Islands

green trees near blue sea under blue sky during daytime

Sight · Bay of IslandsKauri Museum

Sight · Bay of IslandsCape Reinga

Sight · Bay of IslandsLong Beach

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Need to know

Currency: New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Entry: NZeTA for most visa-waiver visitors; Australian passports exempt Read more
Emergency: 111 police, fire and ambulance
Tipping: Not expected
Time: UTC+12; UTC+13 with daylight saving, late Sep to early Apr

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh24°Low16°Summer holidays
FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh24°Low16°Warm, calm seas
MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh23°Low15°Warm, settling
AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh20°Low14°Mild, quieter
MayPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°Cooler, quiet
JuneRain13 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Cold, wet
JulyRain14 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Cold, wet
AugustRain16 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Cool, quiet
SeptemberRain13 rainy daysHigh17°Low10°Changeable, warming
OctoberRain14 rainy daysHigh18°Low11°Mild, sunny
NovemberRain15 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Warm, long days
DecemberRain13 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°Summer holidays

Average daily high and low in Paihia, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Bay of Islands

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 16°
Humidity: 93%
Wind: 10 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Bay of Islands

09:40 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+13

Today19°15°100%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed20°16°92%Wednesday: Rain. High 20°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 92%.
Thu22°17°57%Thursday: Drizzle. High 22°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 57%.
Fri21°17°92%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 21°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 92%.
Sat22°13°71%Saturday: Drizzle. High 22°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 71%.
Sun20°11°53%Sunday: Drizzle. High 20°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 53%.
Mon20°15°77%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 20°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 77%.

Updated 09:02 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.778 NZD

Amount

Converted to

NZD · New Zealand Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Russellabout 15 min by ferryA historic waterfront village across the bay, easy to reach by ferry.
Kerikeriabout 30 min by carThe Stone Store and Kemp House, two of the oldest buildings in the country.
Cape Reingaabout 3 hours by carThe northern tip of the North Island, a long day by car.

Before you go to Bay of Islands

eSIM for New ZealandOffline maps for the drive northRead the guide

Insurance for boat trips and drivesCover for a cancelled cruise or a car crashRead the guide

Money and costsCards, cash and typical day costsRead the guide

Bases in Paihia and RussellCompare bases before you bookRead the guide

Rules for Bay of Islands, checked

Most visa-waiver visitors need an NZeTA before flying; check whether your passport is exempt on the official immigration site.Source
Declare all food, plants and any boots or camping gear on the arrival card, since Biosecurity New Zealand inspects and can charge fines.Source
Dolphins and other marine mammals are protected; keep your distance and follow DOC rules on swimming with them.Source
Drink-driving limits are strict on the bay roads and State Highway 1, so do not drive after drinking alcohol.Source

Plan around Bay of Islands

North Island

Northland and the wider North Island around the bay

Read the guide Visas and entry

NZeTA, eligibility and what to declare at arrival

Read the guide Getting around

Car hire and ferries for the bay and the drive north

Read the guide Tours and tickets

Boat cruises and day tours from Paihia

Read the guide Where to stay

Paihia, Russell and Kerikeri compared for a few nights

Read the guide Trip ideas for the bay

Routes and plans for two to four days around the bay

Read the guide

Bay of Islands FAQ

How far is the Bay of Islands from Auckland?

The drive from Auckland to Paihia takes about 3.5 hours, mostly on State Highway 1. Leave early if you plan a boat trip the same day.

How many days do you need in the Bay of Islands?

Two to four days covers Paihia, a day in Russell and a boat trip. Add time for Kerikeri or a drive north if you have a car.

Is Russell worth visiting?

Yes. Russell is a small historic waterfront village and an easy ferry ride from Paihia. Stay a night if you want the town after the day trips have left.

Do you need a car in the Bay of Islands?

A car makes the trip easier, because Paihia, Russell and Kerikeri are spread apart and there is no train. Without one, rely on boat trips and organized tours.

Can you swim with dolphins in the Bay of Islands?

Some boat operators run swims, but DOC rules limit how close people can approach and swim with dolphins. Choose an operator that follows those rules.

When is the best time to visit the Bay of Islands?

February to March and October to November bring warm, settled weather with fewer crowds than the summer holidays. July and August are cold and wet.