6 Reasons Why You Should Visit Bay of Islands When Visiting New Zealand (And Some Reasons Why Not To Visit)

Sensible Traveler’s Hot Take

New Zealand is a country brimming with breathtaking landscapes and awe-inspiring destinations, and while the Bay of Islands isn’t a super popular destination for international tourists, it’s undoubtedly one of the countries crown jewels. Nestled in the northern region of the country, this picturesque paradise is renowned for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and rich cultural heritage. Whether you’re an adventure seeker, a nature enthusiast, or a history buff, the Bay of Islands has something to offer everyone. That said, if you’re looking for a pure beach vacation or you only have limited time in New Zealand, the Bay of Islands likely shouldn’t be on your places to visit. The water is colder, the sand on the beaches isn’t as soft, the weather is generally going to be cooler than many other island hotspots and there are many other more unique locations across New Zealand that you should explore first. That said, if you have the right amount of time and are not expecting a beach resort vibe, the destination is well worth the 3-4 hour beautiful drive from Auckland if you love the outdoors, water and wonderful wine.

Top Things to Do in Bay of Islands:

1. Natural Beauty at its Finest
   1. The Bay of Islands boasts a remarkable array of natural beauty. With over 140 islands dotting its azure waters, this region is a haven for nature lovers. Whether you’re kayaking, cruising, or diving, the Bay of Islands promises unforgettable encounters with New Zealand’s awe-inspiring nature. Top Sensible Traveler tracks (“tracks” = “hikes” in New Zealand) include:
      • Flagstaff Track (40 min walk) + Tapeka (epic walk out on Peninsula of Russell) + and return on Jim track (tracks = hikes in NZ)
        • Jim’s Track is a great hike for kids (and another reason Why New Zealand Treats Traveling Families Best) because it has painted rocks for the kids to find and then re-hide for the next hikers!
      • Mahinepua Peninsula Track – 2 hr roundtrip hike out on a beautiful peninsula with nice beach stops on the way.
2. Water Activities
   1. You wont find more beautiful water in the world. Plenty of opportunities to take a boat out and explore the various islands.
3. Historical Landmarks
   1. History buffs will be captivated by the numerous historical landmarks found in the Bay of Islands.
      • The region holds immense historical significance as the site where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, establishing the relationship between the indigenous Maori people and the British Crown.
      • The Sensible Traveler highly recommends Russell, New Zealand’s first capital, as your home base for visiting the region.
4. Wine Time
   1. There are tons of wineries in the region that have great wines at a great cost with lovely views. The Sensible Traveler highly recommends:
      • Omata Estate – wonderful winery in Russell with great wood fire pizza and yummy wine.
      • Marsden Estate – beautiful setting for delicious affordable wine.
5. Small Mountain Town Vibe In the Islands
   1. While not a vibe that you would find on other islands in the pacific, the Bay of Islands has a great laid back vibe with a focus on sustainability and keeping a “small town” feel. If you’ve ever been to a small mountain town such as Estes Park, Colorado, USA or Cortina in the Dolomites in Italy, you’ll find a similar vibe here (which is a great vibe).
6. Beaches
   1. You’ll find plenty of beaches to visit because it’s many islands! Here are the Sensible Traveler’s favorites:
      • Uretiti Beach – Great beach to stop at on your drive up from Auckland to the Bay of Islands. If you have a four wheel drive you can have some real fun on the beach.
      • Pahia Beach – Not a very fancy beach but great for eating at and letting kids play on the playground with epic views of the Bay

Food to Eat:

1. New Zealand doesn’t have life changing food but it’s also not bad. Since you won’t be missing out on amazing food, we often opted to save costs by preparing and eating food at our Airbnb.
   • Bay of Islands was the first place the Sensible Traveler identified How to Get a Free Cooler at Any Destination!
2. Highly recommend grabbing some fresh fish (or bring your own for them to prepare) at the Snapper Shack and take your fish to Pahia Beach to eat.
3. Omata Estate had a great charcuterie board and wood-fire pizza!

Value:

1. If you’re traveling from the United States or Europe, New Zealand is relatively affordable. The Bay of Islands is more remote than many other parts of the country (some islands don’t have roads and you have to take a ferry) which leads to higher costs.
2. Accommodations can be relatively affordable depending on where you stay and how many people are in your group. We highly recommend staying in Airbnbs such as Anna’s Loft (which had great views!)
3. While Bay of Islands is wonderful, if you are limited on time for your visit to NZ, we would probably recommend skipping this destination as there are more unique locations to explore in NZ.
4. There are supposedly kiwi’s in the part of the country (yes, kiwi’s are a real endangered bird) but they are hard to locate as they are nocturnal. The Sensible Traveler is a bit bitter because kiwi’s never came out to play during the visit.
5. We highly recommend staying in Russell as a good jumping off point to other islands and destinations within the region. Russell is big enough to have everything you need and a variety of lodging options but is also surrounded by amazing views of water and mountains.

Time Needed: 4 nights, 3 Full Days – it’s a long drive north and away from the rest of the country so you’ll want to make sure you have at least 3 full days to explore if you’re going to make the trip.

Any other Sensible Travel tips for Bay of Islands, New Zealand? Leave a comment below to help your fellow travelers!