Everything You Need to Know About Bay of islands Sailing Charters
Answers to the most common questions about our Bay of Islands private and shared sailing charters. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to contact us—we’re always happy to help.
FAQ’s – Bay of Islands Sailing Charters
What makes Bayscapes different from other cruise companies?
Not all boat tours are the same. At Bayscapes, we keep things simple — small groups, relaxed pace, and plenty of time to enjoy where you are.
No crowds. No rush. Just a great day out on the water.
⛵ Small-group and private sailing charters
👥 Maximum 19 guests on shared charters
🏝 Island stops and hidden bays
🐬 Opportunities to see dolphins and wildlife
📍 Departures from Paihia
⭐ Highly rated by travellers from around the world
Before You Book
We recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment. Our shared day charters have a maximum of just 19 guests and often sell out during the busy season.
Your charter is a 6 hours trip and includes a scenic sailing experience, a two-hour island stop, catered packed lunch, paddle boards, snorkelling equipment, and guidance from our friendly local crew.
Our boat can take a maximum of 19 guests. We like our guests to be able to move around the boat throughout the journey so we keep our groups small for a more relaxed and personal experience.
We open in Late September / Early October and run through to Late April / Early May. During Peak Summer (Mid December – February) we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
Yes, we love to sail! If there is wind our sails are raised up and our guests enjoy a genuine sailing experience rather than simply motoring between destinations.
We pick up straight off Paihia Wharf so if you do not wish to get wet our boat will keep you nice and dry. However we do recommend bringing togs and a towel on our day tours so that you can enjoy the full experience of the Bay of Islands by swimming or snorkeling in its beautiful waters.
Yes, we have lots of storage onboard for your gear.
Yes we can cater for vegan, vegetarian, gluten and dairy free lunch options. We offer these at no extra charge but you must make a note when booking or email us for any dietary requirements as all off our food is prepared off site.
No we do not. We operate with a BYO (Bring Your Own) alcohol policy which means you are welcome to bring your own. There is chilly bin and fridge available to keep things cold once you are on board. We do however have soft drinks available for purchase.
No, we don’t allow any fishing onboard so please leave your rods at home.
Yes, we have a comfortable indoor saloon with seating which is complete out of the weather. Or our cockpit area has shaded outdoor seating.
The Bay of Islands offers ideal sailing conditions from September through May, with warm weather, calm seas, and clear skies creating perfect days on the water. Peak season runs from December to February, when demand is highest and prices may be slightly elevated. Our favourite time to visit is February, when the waters are at their warmest and the crowds are smaller compared to January, allowing for a more relaxed and enjoyable sailing experience.
Shared Day Charter
– Jacket/Jumper; the breeze gets stronger when you are sailing so bring a jumper even if the weather looks good. In any case we do have a indoor saloon for your comfort.
– Sunglasses and Sunhat
– Any drinks or snacks you wish. Fridge available onboard
For day trips;
– Swimwear and a towel. You can bring your own snorkel gear or you can use our masks and fins provided.
– Walking shoes; Shoes are to be taken off upon boarding but do bring sneakers/shoes if you are planning on doing our island walk.
We have storage room onboard for your bags. When onboard you will be directed to an area to stow your gear.
Our Shared Charters leave from Paihia Wharf, look for the Bayscapes Catamaran with a blue sail pack and Bayscapes in white letters. Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your departure time.
Parking in Paihia is limited so please ensure you come early enough to find a park and meet us.
When onboard shoes are taken off to reduce damage on the boat. We will ask you to put your shoes in a locker while on the boat. You will be able to take them ashore to wear for the island walk if you choose.
Yes. Our Shared Day Charter includes a freshly prepared packed lunch from a local caterer. In our packed lunch is a sandwich item (croissant, panini, bun or wrap), a piece of fruit, homemade cookie and scone/muffin.
Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other dietary requirements can usually be catered for when requested at the time of booking.
Yes on our 2 hour island stop you’ll have the opportunity to swim, snorkel and/or paddle-board in a sheltered bay.
Generally, no. The island walks are self-guided and suitable for most fitness levels. As we visit different bays throughout the Bay of Islands, the walks vary in length and difficulty. Before you go ashore, our crew will explain the walk available that day so you can decide what best suits you.
If you’d prefer not to do the walk, you’re welcome to enjoy a stroll along the beach, go for a swim, or simply relax onboard and take in the beautiful surroundings.
Wildlife & Nature
While wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, dolphins are regularly seen in the Bay of Islands and are often a highlight of our charters.
Depending on the season and conditions, you may see:
– Little blue penguins (kororā)
– Stingrays and eagle rays
– Gannets and white-fronted terns
– Tūī, kererū and other native birds
– Orca, pilot whales or New Zealand fur seals (occasionally)
The Bay of Islands is part of a protected marine mammal sanctuary. We always follow New Zealand wildlife regulations and may observe marine mammals from a distance to minimise disturbance and protect their natural behaviour.
We will choose from one of the Bay Of Islands main 6 islands. These include; Okahu, Waewaetorea, Urupukapuka, Moturua, Motukiekie and Roberton (Motuarohia) Island. Each island is unique and have some amazing beaches and stunning walks. We will decide on the day what island will be the most sheltered to sail to for that days conditions.
No, the Hole in the Rock is further out than we go. About double the distance in fact! It is not possible to do this on a sailing boat day tour. Instead we focus on relaxing sailing and enjoying a generous amount of time at one of our wildlife sanctury islands for all of our activities.
Weather & Safety
If conditions are unsuitable for sailing, we may alter the itinerary, postpone the trip, or cancel the charter. We’ll contact you as early as possible if changes are necessary.
Our top priority is your comfort and safety and we will always make the best decision possible for the forecasts we have available to us.
We consider many factors when it comes to weather. Some weather conditions that may cause us to cancel your booking include; heavy rain, high swell state or strong winds. While we do our best to let you know of any changes ahead of time. If you are concerned about the weather conditions for your day please monitor your email for any weather updates we send or get in to contact with us.
Absolutely! Families are welcome, and children enjoy swimming, wildlife spotting and exploring the islands. We also have an indoor saloon for children and babies to shelter out of the weather. Children should always be supervised by a parent or guardian. We can provide life jackets for children and infants if required, just let us know on board.
No, Our sailing catamaran provides a spacious and stable platform, making it a comfortable way to explore the Bay of Islands. Most people can move around the boat easily even with the sails up!
No, you do not need to be able to swim. If you are not confident around water please let our crew know on the day. We have lifejackets onboard if needed.
Absolutely. No sailing experience is needed. Our experienced crew prioritise your safety and comfort throughout the trip, handling all of the sailing while providing guidance along the way.
Our spacious sailing catamaran is designed to be stable and comfortable, making it an enjoyable experience even for first-time sailors. All you need to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy exploring the Bay of Islands!
Private Charters
Absolutely. Our private charters are ideal for families, friends, birthdays, corporate events and special occasions. You can view our Private Charter options here.
A private sailing charter with Bayscapes Charters includes a spacious catamaran, a professional skipper and crew, scenic routes and personalised stops. Guests enjoy comfort, stability, and panoramic views while exploring the islands at their own pace. Also included is fuel costs, paddle boards and snorkelling gear. Optional catering and refreshments can also be arranged.
Our standard departure point is Paihia Wharf, with pick-up also available from Russell Wharf by prior arrangement.
For some charters, we can also pick up from Waitangi Wharf. However, this is subject to cruise ship schedules and wharf availability.
If you would prefer to depart from Russell or Waitangi, simply let us know when booking and we’ll be happy to arrange it where possible.
We offer a range of catering options at an additional cost for private charters, from casual lunches to gourmet spreads. You are welcome to bring your own pre-prepared food or choose from one of our catering packages. Contact us to see our catering menu.
For a hassle-free day we recommend using our catering options. Guests are welcome to bring their own snacks and drinks if desired.
Our cooking facilities are limited. If you are bringing your own food we recommend bringing food that is pre-prepared. We have an area to prepare food. We also have a chopping board, cutlery, plates and glasses you can use.
Yes! We have a multi zone indoor and outdoor bluetooth speakers for you to crank your tunes!
Yes, we can cater our schedule to you. Email us at with the time and date you would like to sail and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Shared charters are perfect for individuals, couples and small groups looking for a relaxed day on the water. Private charters give you exclusive use of the catamaran and a more personalised experience.
Cruise Ship Passengers
It depends on your cruise ship’s schedule. As the Bay of Islands is a tender port, you’ll first need to check where your cruise ship will be tendering. Most cruise ships tender into Waitangi Wharf, where a complimentary shuttle bus takes passengers to Paihia Wharf in around 10 minutes. The shuttle stops right beside our departure point, making it easy to join the charter.
As a general guide, we recommend allowing at least 1.5 hours between your cruise ship’s scheduled arrival and departure times and our shared charter schedule. As we operate independently from the cruise lines, our tours depart at scheduled times.
If all guests booked on a particular charter are arriving by cruise ship, we may be able to adjust our departure or return times where possible. However, this cannot be guaranteed.
If you’re visiting on a cruise ship and are unsure whether our charter will fit your schedule, please contact us before booking. We’ll be happy to check your cruise itinerary and do our best to help you choose the right sailing experience.
Bayscapes Charters is not affiliated with any cruise ship companies and therefore does not take any liability for any changes in cruise ship schedule. It is your responsibility to find out where your cruise ship tenders into and that you will have enough time to meet our charter times. Our shared charters depart at set times, if you are late or do not show at your scheduled boarding time we cannot wait for you and you will not recieve a refund.
Bayscapes Charters cancellation policy is that you will not recieve a refund if you cancel within 24 hours prior to Bayscapes’ charter departure time.
Please let us know as soon as you are aware of any changes to your cruise ship schedule so that we can do our best to assist you.
Yes, we recommend informing us when you are booking so that we can do our best to let you know of cruise ship timings, maps to reach us, scheduling and more. We may also get notified of cruise ship scheduling changes before passengers. While we do our best to assist any passengers booking with us it is ultimately your responsibility to find out where your cruise ship tenders into and that you will have enough time to meet our charter times.
Booking Queries
Our Shared Charters have a minimum passenger number. If this number is not met your booking will show as pending. As soon as the number is not met you will receive a confirmation email.
There are a two main reasons why we might cancel your charter. These are;
Bad Weather- If the weather forecast is unsuitable for sailing we may cancel your charter to ensure your safety.
Minimum Passenger Not Met- On our shared charters we have a minimum passenger requirement of 4 people. If this number is not met we may cancel your charter or ask if you are available to book on another confirmed day.
For both these
If we do need to cancel for any reason we will let you know prior to the day.
Please email us at for any cancellations or amendments.
Yes, we take online bookings up until 1 hour prior to departure. For any bookings after this time please call us on +64 22 0964 008 as we may still have space for you. Please note for last minute bookings we may not have a lunch prepared for you so we may call you and ask you to bring your own lunch.
Choose Your Bay of Islands Sailing Experience
Shared Charters
Our shared day charter is a relaxed small-group sailing experience. Explore hidden bays, swim in sheltered waters, enjoy a guided island walk and discover the best of the Bay of Islands.
Private – Sail and Stop
Enjoy a relaxed day on the water with time to swim, snorkel, paddle board and explore one of the Bay of Islands’ beautiful island beaches.
Private – Sail and Hike
Combine a relaxing sail with a self-guided island walk through a wildlife sanctuary. Discover native birdlife, scenic viewpoints, and the natural beauty of the Bay of Islands.
Book Your Bay Of Islands Sailing Adventure
Discover one of the most unforgettable ways to explore the coastline—hidden bays, crystal-clear water, and a relaxed, personalised sailing experience.
👉 Limited spots available
👉 Secure your preferred date