THE BAY OF ISLANDS

Learn more about our favourite islands

Bay Of Islands Map

Interactive Map showing key locations of our sailing charter. Click on each pinpoint to learn more

Waewaetorea Island

Waewaetorea Island is one of our furthest islands and features the idyllic Honeymoon Bay. Here you can find some of the clearest waters in the Bay Of Islands, perfect for swimming or snorkelling. There is also a beautiful walk which takes you to a lookout point with 360 degree views over the Bay Of Islands.

Moturua Island

Moturua Island is our second island in the bay and is one of our biggest bush conservation islands. Moturua offers many sheltered bays to anchor in, including Frenchmans Bay. A small bay once occupied by the french explorer Marion Du Fresne. With shallow waters, a nice beach and a beautiful bush walk it is the ideal spot for families. Also on Moturua is Mangawaea Bay, a deeper bay with lots of nooks and crannies to explore on the paddle boards or snorkelling.

Motuarohia Island

Motuarohia Island or Roberton Island is our first island and is best known for its two twin lagoons. At high tide the lagoons provided some fantastic snorkelling in its sheltered waters. Motuarohia Island also has a gorgeous walk up to a lookout with an idyllic views over the lagoons.

Urupukapuka Island

Urupukapuka is the largest island in the Bay Of Islands. Otehei Bay is where the ferries stop at and holds a cafe. Urupukapuka has a great walk around the whole island for those keen hikers looking for something more challenging.

Motukiekie Island

Motukiekie is a privately owned island. In between the Motukiekie and Moturua channel provides great sheltered bays and scenic views.

Okahu Island

Okahu is a small island next to Waewaetorea Island. Although most of the island is steep cliff side it is picturesque to sail beside.

Bay Of Islands - History
The Bay is the birthplace of modern New Zealand. Here the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, establishing British rule and granting the native inhabitants equal status. Rich in legend and mystery, the Bay of Islands has age-old ties to the Maori and to whalers, missionaries and New Zealand's early settlers.

The Bay of Islands has lured explorers for countless centuries. Kupe, a great Polynesian adventurer, came here in the 1300's. Captain Cook anchored offshore in 1769, followed by assorted brigands, traders, colonists and missionaries. Captian Cook was the first person to chart the Bay of Islands. By his count there are 144 islands that make up the Bay of Islands. You can find out more about our 6 main islands above. 

European Settlers came to these shores in the 1800's included in these were whaling ships, sailors and stowaways. During this time Bay of Islands became a busy port but due to a lack of laws and regulations it earned the nickname "The Hell Hole of the Pacific". After the treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, Russell became New Zealands first capital from 1840-1841.


Bay Of Islands - Today
The main 6 islands in the Bay of Islands are now wildlife sancutrys, run by local conservation group, Project Island Song and our national conservation group, D.O.C (Department Of Conservation). These groups work hard to re-establishing thriving, dynamic ecosystems on the islands. They have done this by re-generating the native bush and forest by planting native trees on the islands. Over 40,000 trees have been planted since 2009. These include Kauri, Kawakawa, Mānuka/Kānuka and Kōwhai.

The pest-free status of the islands, and regenerating forest, has made it possible for species to be reintroduced to the islands from populations elsewhere. Between 2012 and 2022 Project Island Song have reintroduced eight species. Pest-free islands act a vital life raft for these most threatened species to maintain viable populations into the future.
Walk amongst regenerating native bush that is teeming with fascinating and rare wildlife, take in stunning sea views, listen to the birdsong, and spot reintroduced tīeke (saddleback), kākāriki (red crowned parakeet), toutouwai (North Island robin), pōpokotea (whitehead), pāteke (brown teal), and many more.

You can find out more about project island song or donate to ​keep our islands pest free here;


READY TO EXPLORE THE BAY OF ISLANDS?