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BAYSCAPES CHARTERS

Day Sailing Charters in The Bay of Islands
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"The Perfect Mix of Relaxation and Adventure"

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Sailing Charters

Set sail and discover the natural beauty of the Bay of Islands. Our spacious catamaran offers plenty of space to move around and take in the sights. Relax on bean bags upfront or unwind in our cozy indoor saloon as we set sail along stunning coastlines. Complete your experience with an island stop, where you can enjoy water activities, from stand-up paddle boarding to snorkeling, or embark on a self guided island hike. We look forward to welcoming you onboard!

Shared Day Charter

Join our 6 hour Shared Sailing Charter for a full Bay of Islands experience! Includes an island stop and catered lunch. Relax, unwind and soak in the stunning scenery as we cruise through the water.

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Private Charter

A private sailing charter offers a luxurious and personalised experience, allowing you to customise your itinerary and enjoy the freedom of the open water with friends or family. For up to 19 people. Day Cruise and Afternoon Sailing Tours available.

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Use the promo code "SAILING" when you book a shared charter with us and get 5% off  

Experiences

Sailing

Unwind and rejuvenate on a peaceful sailing excursion, surrounded by the soothing sound of waves and the refreshing sea breeze.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Test your limits and your balance as you navigate the ocean on our stand up paddle boards.

Swimming

Dive into the refreshing waters and enjoy a swim in the open ocean.

Snorkelling

Experience an underwater adventure and discover vibrant marine life with a snorkelling experience.

Bay of Islands Cruises and Tours

Experience the stunning Bay of Islands with Bayscapes Charters aboard our spacious 40ft catamaran. Designed for comfort and exceptional views, every spot on our vessel offers a unique perspective—whether you're relaxing on beanbags, watching the water through our nets upfront, or enjoying 360-degree vistas from our indoor saloon. Our double-hulled catamaran provides excellent stability, allowing you to move around with ease and fully immerse yourself in the joy of sailing.

The Bay of Islands is our exclusive sailing ground, and our local crew will provide engaging commentary as we navigate through its 144 islands. We'll guide you to the best anchorage of the day, where a variety of activities await. You can swim, snorkel, or try paddleboarding. Alternatively, explore a secluded bay teeming with native birdlife on a scenic island hike. With a generous two-hour island stop, you'll have ample time to enjoy all the activities, or simply relax and unwind onboard our floating paradise. The choice is entirely yours! A delicious catered lunch will be served onboard before we sail back to Paihia in the afternoon.

Whether you choose a Shared Charter, Private Day Cruise, or an Afternoon Sailing Tour, our dedicated crew is committed to ensuring your comfort and enjoyment throughout your entire experience.

reviews

Why We Are Rated The No. 1 Sailing Charter in The Bay Of Islands

     

 One of the best boat charters we’ve taken anywhere in the world. Wonderful clean and comfortable boat, tasty lunch catered from a local restaurant, and a friendly and knowledgeable crew (Brad and Monique). Zero complaints and would absolutely do this again next time we visit NZ. Highly recommended! Thank you! 

Andrew Ellis: Shared Charter
     

 Sailing in the Bay of Islands aboard this beautiful catamaran was a major highlight of our visit to NZ. We really enjoyed Brad and Monique's hospitality, knowledge and sailing skills. They provided great food & snacks, opportunities to explore a couple of islands, a lovely sail through the bay and had stand up paddle boards and snorkel gear available for use. Our private sailing charter with them was outstanding. Highly recommended! 

Eric Wakely: Private Charter
     

 Fantastic day sailing with Brad & Monique around the bay of islands. Friendly skippers with lots of knowledge about the area and who were more than happy to answer questions. We had a great time on our walk, using the SUP’s and snorkelling with a delightful lunch to finish it off. The catamaran was beautiful and clearly well looked after! Thanks very much, a great way to see the Bay of Islands, would definitely recommend! 

Hamish Baxter: Shared Charter
     

 We took the team from Blast Away Guys out on a private day charter. It was a fantastic experience and very relaxing. The kids got to see fish and an octopus while snorkelling around in the beautiful, clear waters. The boat itself is beautiful, very comfortable and they keep it in pristine condition. Thank you so much for a wonderful day Bayscapes. 

Brya Page: Private Charter
     

 What a wonderful experience on this great sailing yacht, with the lovely skippers Monique and Brad, in the beautiful Bay of Islands. We have had an amazing day on the catamaran, a nice walk with stunning views on a secluded island, time to swim, snorkel, use the paddleboard and to relax. Absolutely perfect! 

Sierra Mike: Shared Charter
     

 Amazing experience! We got really lucky with good weather during our stay in Paihia. This is a must do excursion with Brad and Monique! Their boat was really comfortable to accommodate 18 of us. The packed food provided was also scrumptious!! 

Soni Bhat: Private Charter
     

 So many thanks to our skippers Brad and Monique, we had a beautiful sailing trip with you with chilling in the bean bags as well as thrilling sailing moments „up wind“. Thanks for your kindness, know-how and answering all my questions about the sail, the right wind-direction and the colours of the water. That was awesome! 

Nikolaus Meiser: Shared Charter
     

 Best charter in the Bay of Islands! We’ve been on private charters with Baycapes multiple times and will keep coming back. The boat is well outfitted and comfortable, the food is tasty, and Brad and Monique are lovely, have excellent knowledge of the area and always know the best spots to go on the day. 

Jodi Salinsky: Private Charter
     

 Brad and Monique were very friendly, professional and organised. The boat is fantastic, well-kept with good facilities, and a good size for day trips. We had a beautiful sail out to Army Bay and time to walk on the island and spot many native birds, as well as swimming and paddle boarding. Just what we were looking for as a day trip in the Bay. 

Louise McMillan: Shared Charter
     

 We held a family reunion in the Bay of Islands and had the pleasure of chartering with Bayscapes. There were 11 adults and 2 children. All were comfortably accommodated. The tour had a mixture of things to do , hike, water sports, sailing and a fantastic lunch. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable. Would thoroughly recommend them. 

Kevin O'Connor: Private Charter
     

 "Incredible hospitality and organisation of the charter. Everyone was blown away and continue to talk about it and relive those memories. The attention to detail, provision of food, and being taken to Honeymoon Bay, which was perfectly named, was truly exquisite. Your warmth and sincerity were greatly appreciated. We would highly recommend Bayscapes to our friends and family, a number of those who were there have said they would repeat the day if they were to get married, or celebrate a milestone birthday." 

Katherine and Lucy: Private Charter- Wedding Ceremony
  
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The Bay of Islands

Conservation and Protection

Island Wildlife Sanctuary

The six main islands of the Bay of Islands—Motuarohia (Roberton) Island, Moturua Island, Motukiekie Island, Urupukapuka Island, Waewaetorea Island, and Okahu—are now vital wildlife sanctuaries. Thanks to the dedicated work of Project Island Song (our local conservation group) and the Department of Conservation (DOC), these islands have been pest-free since 2009. This status has allowed for the reintroduction of eight species between 2012 and 2022, creating a critical refuge for threatened wildlife.

These groups are committed to re-establishing thriving ecosystems through extensive reforestation. Over 40,000 native trees, including Kauri, Kawakawa, Mānuka/Kānuka, and Kōwhai, have been planted since 2009.

When you take a day cruise with us, you'll have the opportunity to walk through native bush teeming with fascinating and rare wildlife. You can enjoy stunning sea views, listen to vibrant birdsong, and spot reintroduced species such as tīeke (saddleback), kākāriki (red-crowned parakeet), toutouwai (North Island robin), pōpokotea (whitehead), pāteke (brown teal), and many more. Click here to view island birdlife species.

Marine Mammal Sanctuary

The Bay of Islands is also a Marine Mammal Sanctuary Zone. This sanctuary implements speed and distance restrictions for approaching marine mammals to reduce pressure on these animals and allow them to visit the Bay of Islands safely, engaging in natural behaviors like feeding and nursing.

Research indicates that bottlenose dolphins, an indicator species, are experiencing reduced survival-critical behaviors and a decline in numbers visiting the Bay of Islands. Learn more about our marine life here.

At Bayscapes Charters, we are deeply committed to the protection and conservation of the Bay of Islands, ensuring its beauty can be enjoyed by future generations.

Contact

Want to find out more? Get in touch with us today.

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  • 69 Marsden Road, Paihia, New Zealand