The Bay of Islands

The Bay of Islands is a natural harbour situated in the Northland on the northern end of New Zealand, just 145 miles from Auckland. This bay stretches unevenly for 16 miles along the coast and harbours other small inlets such as Waikare Inlet in the south and Kerikeri and Te Puna (Mangonui) Inlets to the northwest.

There are 144 islands in the bay and quite a few of these islands are just north of the small town of Russell that lies on an isthmus jutting out into the bay from the southeast. Amongst these is Urupukapuka Island in the east and Moturoa Island in the north.

There are another two major peninsulas, the Purerua Penisula west of the bay and Cape Brett Peninsula, which reaches out for 10 km into the Pacific Ocean, just east of the bay.

This area is also historically important, for the signing by British officials and Maori chiefs agreed to the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. The Treaty House also known as the Waitangi National Reserve has been turned into a museum where all the important events of New Zealand’s history have been documented.

The Bay of Islands is an ideal escapade for all nature lovers and skin divers as well as those looking for restful beaches and entertaining activities.

Here all tourists can appreciate the multiple offshore activities proposed, the idilic little town of Paihia being one of the favourite spots to stay due to its strategic position, as it is very close to Waitangi Reserve and other popular tours leave from here.

The delightful small town of Russell is also another favourite and only a short ferry ride from Paihia, this quiet location is a perfect haven for tourists seeking a calm and picturesque setting.