Activities in Northland & The Bay Of Islands
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Dive North
reviewed
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Dive! Tutukaka
Dive! Tutukaka is deservedly the main operator, winning an array of tourism, business and environmental awards. It offers a variety of dive courses and excursions, including a five-day PADI open-water course. Perhaps the jewel in its crown is the much-raved-about Perfect Day Ocean Cruise, which includes a commentary, lunch and snacks, snorkelling from a platform in the middle of the marine reserve, kayaking through caves and arches, and sightings of dolphins and rare seabirds (usually), and occasionally whales, orcas and fur seals. Cruises depart at 11am, returning at 4.15pm.
reviewed
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Fullers
Fullers runs full-day (adult/child $99/50) and half-day ($89/45) tours, taking in the Hole in the Rock off Cape Brett (passing through it if conditions are right) and stopping on an island. The full day ‘Cream Trip’ follows the old supply and mail route around the islands and includes dolphin swimming and boom netting (where you can get close to the critters while being dragged through the water in a net).
reviewed
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Footprints Waipoua
Footprints Waipoua is a four-hour twilight tour led by Maori guides into Waipoua Kauri Forest. As an introduction to Maori culture, it’s fantastic. Tribal history and stories are shared, and mesmerising karakia recited before the giant trees. A (child-friendly) shorter version is offered (90 minutes, adult/child $70/35), as well as guided daytime visits, meeting at the Tane Mahuta car park ($25).
reviewed
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Waka Tai-a-Mai
For a hands-on experience of the Maori culture, Waka Tai-a-Mai gives you the opportunity to paddle a traditional 50ft carved waka (canoe). Leaving from the Waitangi bridge, the journey heads up to the Haruru Falls before visiting a replica Maori village. The Ngapuhi hosts wear traditional garb and perform the proper karakia (incantations), as well as some excellent storytelling.
reviewed
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Cape Reinga and 90 Mile Beach Tour from Bay of Islands
11 hours (Departs Paihia, Bay of Islands, New Zealand)
by Viator
Take an action-packed day trip from Paihia to the tip of New Zealand’s North Island on a guided tour of Cape Reinga! The Waverider coach, built to traverse sand…Not LP reviewed
from USD$92.88 -
Tutukaka Surf Co
If you’ve got the bushy bushy blond hair-do and baggy boardies but need credibility to pull off the look, Tutukaka Surf Co runs regular surf lessons at 9am most days in summer and on the weekends otherwise, operating from whichever beach has the best beginner breaks that day. If you’ve already got the skills, you can hire or buy a board here.
reviewed
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Farm
Back on Russell Rd, you’ll find the Farm, a chilled-out backpackers rambling through various buildings, including an old woolshed fitted out with a mirror ball. Best of all, you can arrange a horse trek or motorbike ride through the 1000-acre working farm. The dorms are basic but the cabins and en-suite rooms are much more comfortable.
reviewed
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Bay of Islands Cape Brett 'Hole in the Rock' Cruise
by Viator
This is the most popular cruise in the Bay for a good reason! The modern high speed catamaran escorts you in comfort around the Bay, past sandy beaches, rocky o…Not LP reviewed
from USD$71.56 -
Best of the Bay Supercruise - Original Cream Trip
7 hours (Departs Paihia or Russell, Bay of Islands, New Zealand)
by Viator
The only authentic "Cream Trip". Fullers Bay of Islands have been delivering mail and supplies to island residents, exclusively for over 100 years. See idyllic …
Not LP reviewed
from USD$77.66 Advertisement
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Pupurangi Hire & Tour
Offers hour-long waterfall abseils in the Kauri Park ($35), hour-long bike tours of the town ($35), six-person waka (canoe) trips on the river ($35) or 2½-hour combos of the above ($85). It also hires kayaks (per hour $15), waka ($20), aquacycles ($15), bikes ($15) and rollerblades ($10).
reviewed
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Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sailing on R. Tucker Thompson including BBQ Lunch
by Viator
What better way to explore the peaceful waters of the Bay of Islands than by the "R. Tucker Thompson" tall ship. This replica of a 100 year old schooner looks j…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$110.39 -
Bay of Islands Full-Day Sailing including Lunch
7 hours (Departs Bay of Islands, New Zealand)
by Viator
Sail around the beautiful 144 islands on-board "Lion New Zealand", the late Sir Peter Blake's 80 foot maxi-yacht. Take the opportunity to join the crew and get …Not LP reviewed
from USD$83.75 -
Sandtrails Hokianga
Sandtrails Hokianga collects you from Opononi for a dune buggy tour to Mitimiti (3¾ hours, adult/child $220/105) or a 70-minute Sandsecrets tour (adult/child $110/55); prices include the Hokianga Express.
reviewed
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Cape Reinga Half-Day Tour including Scenic Flight
4 hours 30 minutes (Departs Paihia, New Zealand)
by Viator
Discover the rugged natural beauty of Cape Reinga, located on the tip of New Zealand's North Island. Perfect for those short on time who want to make the most o…Not LP reviewed
from USD$323.56 -
Total Tours
Total Tours has full-day food, wine and craft tours ($99), half-day wine tours ($75) and evening Wine & Dine tours ($120), departing from Paihia’s Maritime Building.
reviewed
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Skydive Ballistic Blondes
Skydive Ballistic Blondes is not only the oddest-named skydiving outfit in the country, but also the only one licensed to land on the beach (Ruakaka, Ocean Beach or Paihia).
reviewed
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Dive HQ
Dive HQ offers combined reef and wreck trips to either the Canterbury or the Rainbow Warrior. Various PADI courses are available and gear can be hired.
reviewed
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Kawiti Glowworm Caves
South of the town Kawakawa, a signpost from SH1 points to Kawiti Glowworm Caves. Explore the insect-illuminated caverns with a 30-minute subterranean tour.
reviewed
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Bay of Islands Cruise and Scenic Helicopter Tour
6 hours (Departs Paihia, New Zealand)
by Viator
Experience the best of the Bay of Islands with a cruise and helicopter tour from Paihia. Hop aboard the sea shuttle for a scenic cruise out to the bay, and stop…Not LP reviewed
from USD$216.98 Advertisement
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Bay of Islands and Hole in the Rock Scenic Helicopter Tour
20 minutes (Departs Paihia, New Zealand)
by Viator
Get bird’s-eye views of Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock on a Bay of Islands scenic helicopter tour from Paihia. Take in the stunning scenery of the main gro…Not LP reviewed
from USD$167.49 -
Makana Confections
If you’re a recovering sugar junkie, you may need to drive into town with your eyes closed to avoid the boutique chocolate factory Makana Confections.
reviewed
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Salt Air
Has scenic flights including a five-hour flight-and-4WD tour to Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach ($395). Helicopter flights out to the Hole in the Rock cost $215.
reviewed
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Labyrinth Woodworks
Labyrinth Woodworks is an Aladdin’s cave of handmade puzzles and games. Crack the code in the outdoor maze by collecting letters to form a word.
reviewed
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Get Fudged
If you’re a recovering sugar junkie, you may need to drive into town with your eyes closed to avoid the boutique chocolate factory Get Fudged.
reviewed
