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Bay of Islands

New Zealand travel guide

What to see in the Bay of Islands

A subtropical bay with 144 islands, dolphins and the story of the country’s birth.

Updated 19 October 2026 · How we make our guides

  • 5 must-see places
Photo: W. Bulach · CC BY-SA 4.0

Bay of Islands highlights

The places you can’t miss. In the app we sort them by day and close to each other.

  1. Waitangi Treaty Grounds

    Where the country’s founding treaty was signed in 1840.

  2. Russell

    The first colonial capital, now a quiet village.

  3. Paihia

    The base town, where the boats leave from.

  4. Hole in the Rock

    An arch in the rock that boats sail through when the sea is calm.

  5. Dolphins

    Very common on bay cruises.

Day trips from the Bay of Islands

We take you straight to the best-rated tour on GetYourGuide, with its reviews and dates.

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When to travel to the Bay of Islands

Any time of year is good to travel to the Bay of Islands: our data shows no months with weather, closure or crowd warnings.

  1. Jan no warnings
  2. Feb no warnings
  3. Mar no warnings
  4. Apr no warnings
  5. May no warnings
  6. Jun no warnings
  7. Jul no warnings
  8. Aug no warnings
  9. Sep no warnings
  10. Oct no warnings
  11. Nov no warnings
  12. Dec no warnings

Where and what to eat

To eat like a local: the neighbourhood café. The dishes you can’t miss are in the New Zealand guide.

Frequently asked questions about the Bay of Islands

What to see in the Bay of Islands?

Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Russell, Paihia, Hole in the Rock and Dolphins.

What to see in the Bay of Islands in one day?

Don’t miss Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Russell, Paihia, Hole in the Rock and Dolphins. To split it into days and areas without crossing the city back and forth, the Bagintravel app plans your trip in a minute.

What’s the best time to travel to the Bay of Islands?

Any time of year is good to travel to the Bay of Islands: our data shows no months with weather, closure or crowd warnings.

What day trips can you take from the Bay of Islands?

Bay cruise.

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Shall we plan your trip to the Bay of Islands?

Tell us where and in under a minute you’ll have your day-by-day route, with places to stay, transport, expenses and tips. And we go with you in your pocket, offline too.

The app is currently available in Spanish.

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More in New Zealand

Guide reviewed 19 October 2026. Places, areas and seasons: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.