Bay of Islands. New Zealand. "Bay of Islands" New Zealand: North Island

If you book the whole boat and there are diving enthusiasts in the crew, then a professional diver will join us and we can delight you with dives in the Saronikos Gulf: to the wreck of AVANTIS III (Dorousa), the sunken seaplane of the Second World War (Tragonisi) and to the cages of a fish farm with sea ​​bream (Poros), where pods of dolphins often visit in addition to us. If this is your option, let's clarify the details!

1 day

Athens, Alimos Kalamaki Marina

Team check-in is at 16:00. We get comfortable on the boat, take a break from the flight, get acquainted with safety precautions, ask all the questions of interest to the Captain, buy food, prepare for the morning departure, get ready for a wonderful and unforgettable vacation, feel at home.

Day 2

Alimos Kalamaki - Aegina, 18 NM

O. Aegina

Aegina is the largest island in the Saronic Gulf and the closest island on the way from Athens, which has worldwide recognition not only because of its pistachios, many beaches and monasteries, but also because of its unique archaeological monuments, such as the Temple of Aphaia or the Acropolis of Kolonna. The main port and yacht marina are located in the city of the same name - the capital of the island. The port is usually crowded and noisy, but there is a worthy alternative nearby, the village of Perdika - here you can stand at the pier, at anchor or at the picturesque anchorage near the islet of Moni. And sunsets on Aegina are always a riot of colors.

Day 3

Aegina - Poros, 16 NM

O. Poros

Poros Island according to Greek mythology considered the island of Poseidon. It consists of 2 parts, separated by a channel: Sphere, where it is located main city Poros and Kalavria. Coastline The islands are indented with lagoons and bays. The most famous among our compatriots is Russian Bay, where in the 19th century there was a Russian naval base that remained Russian property until the outbreak of the First World War. Near Russian Bay there is also the famous Love Bay, the shores of which are framed by weeping willows - beautiful place for swimming and romantic anchorage. We also know where the most delicious Kleftiko is prepared on this island - this is stewed lamb, which none of our teams have yet been able to resist! The owner of the restaurant where this dish will be prepared for us is also a professional fisherman. For lovers fishing We can organize a trip on his fishing boat to check his nets.

4 day

Poros - Ermioni, 20 NM

Ermioni

On the Greek mainland northwest of Hydra in a very picturesque and quiet bay With wonderful beaches, protected from the south by a long cape and covered with a pine forest, is the cozy, quiet town of Ermioni. There are also historical attractions in that place. From the eastern side of the ruins of the old port of Ermioni opens most picturesque landscape to Hydra and the bay. It’s also just a stunning place to watch sunsets.

5 day

Ermioni - Hydra, 11 NM

O. Hydra

The island of Hydra is famous for its unique local flavor. No motors are used here. vehicles, people and goods are transported by horse-drawn carts and donkeys. Perhaps that is why the water on the beaches here is clearest. The port of Hydra is very small, and according to established tradition, the first lucky yachts to arrive moor to the quay wall “Mediterranean style” - with the bow anchor released and the stern mooring lines brought to the pier, and those who do not have enough space approach with their stern chine the bows of already moored yachts. When the second row is occupied, the next rows are moored in the same way to the previous ones, and so on... Thus, by the evening, a large friendly yacht flotilla is formed, connected by mooring lines, and the crews of the distant rows, in order to go ashore and return back to their yacht, must show courtesy by asking permission to pass on the sides of neighboring yachts. In the morning, when the yachts are preparing to leave the port, we are treated to the traditional Hydra show, which our Captain calls “a vinaigrette of tangled anchor chains.”

Day 6

Hydra - Methana, 20 NM

Methana Peninsula

We go to Methana, of course, for natural hot springs right in the sea! One is hot and very relaxing. The second is hydrogen sulfide. You will feel that you are at your cherished goal a few tens of meters before it. The “culprit” for the appearance of these spa pleasures is the local volcano. If the level of relaxation does not reach the limit, it is also worth going to it and enjoying the gorgeous views. Methana is about relaxation, peace, contemplation, no fuss, noisy shops or traffic.

Day 7

Methana - Alimos Kalamaki, 29 NM

We love the route from Metana, among other things, because here we always catch tuna. True, from August to October) We will install spinning rods in any case (what if?), but on this part of the journey there will be an excellent opportunity to put into practice everything that we managed to learn about boat control during this trip! Or maybe, on the contrary, you just want to relax and enjoy sailing - Methana is very relaxing. Returning to Alimos, according to the already established tradition, we will celebrate our return in a tavern or prepare dinner ourselves, spend the night on the yacht, and the next morning the crew will be put ashore...

Day 8

Athena, Marina Alimos Kalamaki

For the team, the journey ends, and at 10:00 the Captain and the boat begin the “work bustle” - preparing for a new trip. A noisy breakfast awaits us, gatherings for those who did not have time to get ready in the evening, hugs and discussions about the next joint hike!

Bay of islands and Coromandel Peninsula

Bay of Islands- one of the most beautiful bays of New Zealand, called the "New Zealand French Polynesia"for the beauty of its white beaches, picturesque landscapes and mild subtropical climate. Hundreds of islands off the coast give their name to the bay, which is the main resort place of this country. The Bay of Islands is also famous for its fishing - it is one of the best shark hunting spots in the world.
The bay is located 240 kilometers north of Auckland. Beach life, sailing, diving (snorkeling), fishing (catching non-commercial fish) flourish here. There are many indigenous Maori people living in the Bay Area. There are two here small towns: Paihia is a colorful and welcoming city on south coast The Bay of Islands and the city of Russell, rich in historical past, are three kilometers away, on the other (northern) side of a convenient bay. These towns, located on the beautiful shores of a warm bay, at the foot of hills covered with forests, make the landscape picturesque and very attractive to tourists. The popularity of this area among tourists is contributed by the endless sandy beaches and excellent service from local hotels, motels and restaurants with gourmet cuisine and exceptionally beautiful places to relax for every taste.
The Bay of Islands region is characterized by sunny weather, a pleasant subtropical climate, sandy beaches, and hundreds of large and small islands scattered along the coast. All this makes it one of the most visited tourist destinations in New Zealand. Tourists are impressed by the endless 90-mile beach in the very northwest of the island and northwest of the Bay of Islands. On the way to these areas, you will be able to see relict giant kauri trees, which in the past formed entire forests and occupied vast spaces. In the Bay of Islands itself, you'll find a selection of cruises to explore the picturesque corners of the Bay. You can also visit a small cottage that is of invaluable importance to New Zealanders - the so-called Treaty House, where the historic Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, guaranteeing the special status of the Maori.

I drove north from Auckland, and the “Bay of Islands” became the northernmost point of my trip to New Zealand, since all my other movements were to the south, slowly moving from the North Island to the South. My path was to the village of Paihia (or Paihia, Paihia) - it was from there that it began " water excursion". The way there lay through the Auckland Bridge. Once it was possible to bungee jump from it, but now all that remains is the attraction of walking along the bridge structures, similar to the famous bridge in Sydney, and even then this activity must be booked in advance.


The true symbol of New Zealand is the kauri tree. And probably the oldest and most well-known representative This species is considered to be the McKinney Kauri, whose age ranges from 800 to 900 years. It is located near the town of Warkworth, just on the road to the “Bay of Islands”. When you see this gigantic tree, you can’t help but wonder how many generations of people it has watched, technological progress has developed, trains, cars, airplanes have appeared, but the tree still stands in its original place.

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There is also a small local history museum, where originals of New Zealand “buildings” of the early 20th century are presented. This small stall is a prison building from 1912.

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The interior of a prison building. It seems to me that previously, with the help of “friends from outside,” escaping from such a prison was not a big problem.

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An old telephone booth.

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Post office.

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At the same time, a New Zealand surf camp came to this tree, as far as I know, for Russians there are only camps for learning to surf in Bali, I once visited one, and a German group came to New Zealand to study. I don’t know how comfortable the training was for them, but the ocean here in the spring is very, very cold.

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Paihia is a cute little New Zealand village. But the fire station here is made in a modern style.

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When I travel and go to a supermarket, I always try to find and try brands that I didn’t know before and that are produced exclusively in a given country. A purely New Zealand product is Lemon and Paeroa lemonade. It tastes somewhat like regular Sprite, but the trick is that until now I have not seen this lemonade on sale in any country in the world.

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In New Zealand, as well as in any civilized country, you can have any license plate made to order for money paid officially to the state budget, with the exception, of course, of outright curses. You don’t have to, like us, pay the cops money to buy an “a777aa-77” and be known among the people as an unrealistic “cool pepper.”

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The pier in the town of Paihia, from which boats go for a walk to the “Bay of Islands”.

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On this water trip, dolphins can be seen with a probability of almost 99.99%, as evidenced by the wooden monument immediately before boarding the ship.

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The boat departs and the tour begins. Before entering, each person receives a special map of the “Bay of Islands” indicating all stopping points along the way to observe the progress of the route yourself.

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Along the way there are these cute uninhabited islands.

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It is interesting that the guide on the boat is the “driver” himself, or the “captain”, I don’t know what is the correct name for the one who physically controls the boat. This is our girl - driver-guide, who spent the entire trip telling us about the delights of New Zealand's "Bay of Islands".

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The boat floats past beautiful scenery, sometimes completely secluded houses on the mountains.

The Bay of Islands is a vast bay with many small islands covered with green bushes and trees. This is one of the most beautiful bays in New Zealand!

Bay of Islands located 240 kilometers north of Auckland, this is one of the most beautiful bays of New Zealand, called “New Zealand's French Polynesia” for the beauty of its white beaches, picturesque landscapes and mild subtropical climate.

The shape of the bay resembles a fiord, the width of which is on average 16 km. The interior of the bay has a large number of bays, the most famous of which are Waikare in the southern part and Kerikeri and Te Puna in the north-western part. There are small islands to the north of the bay. The Bay of Islands is surrounded on both sides by peninsulas: in the western part by the Purerua Peninsula, in the eastern part by the Cape Brett Peninsula.


The first European to visit the bay was the English traveler James Cook, who sailed here in 1769. The Bay of Islands coast became the site in New Zealand where the first Europeans settled. In the 18th century, whaling ships visited the bay, and in 1814 missionaries first appeared in the area.


The coastline of Severny Island in this area is indented with small lagoons. Nature has created an amazingly beautiful landscape here. The Bay of Islands area is characterized by sunny weather, a pleasant subtropical climate, sandy beaches, and hundreds of large and small islands scattered along the coast. All this makes it one of the most visited tourist destinations in New Zealand. Tourists are impressed by the endless 90-mile beach in the very northwest of the island and northwest of the Bay of Islands.


Hundreds of islands off the coast give their name to the bay, which is the main resort destination of this country.


The Bay of Islands is very popular among yachtsmen and amateurs aquatic species sports There are excellent conditions for diving and boating. Fishing enthusiasts will also be pleased: there are many species of fish in the local waters. They say that in winter, if you sail further from the coast, you can see whales and marlins here.

There are many indigenous Maori people living in the Bay Area. There are two small towns here: Paihia, a colorful and welcoming town on the southern shore of the Bay of Islands, and the historical town of Russell, three kilometers away, on the northern side of a convenient bay. The town of Russell, formerly known as Kororareka, became the first permanent European settlement in New Zealand. These towns, located on the beautiful shores of a warm bay, at the foot of hills covered with forests, make the landscape picturesque and very attractive to tourists.


Popularity Bay of Islands among tourists, endless sandy beaches and excellent service of local hotels, motels and restaurants with gourmet cuisine and exceptionally beautiful places to relax for every taste contribute.

The Bay of Islands, or Bay of Islands, is a subtropical microregion in northern New Zealand. This real paradise for yachtsmen, divers, beach lovers and active water recreation just half an hour from Auckland. It gets its name from the 144 small islands scattered between Cape Brett and the Purerua Peninsula. The resort also includes the towns of Opua, Paihia, Kerikeri and Russell, famous for the fact that James Cook is considered the first European to set foot on its soil. The Bay of Islands has managed to preserve its identity, and today people come here, among other things, to get acquainted with the culture of the aborigines - the Maori people.

How to get to the Bay of Islands

There are several helipads in the towns of the Bay of Islands, and a small airstrip in Kerikeri. Large liners boarding only in Auckland. They fly here from Moscow " Singapore Airlines" and "Air New Zealand", travel time 28 hours, transfer in Singapore. From Auckland Airport to the Bay of Islands (240 km) there are tourist shuttles and regular buses (you will need to change trains in Auckland itself). Travel time is 6-7 hours.

A more convenient option is to fly to Auckland and take a plane to Kerikeri. Air New Zealand operates 3 flights there every day, the flight time is 50 minutes. The airport is located in the southwestern suburbs, and you can get to your destination from there by shuttle or taxi. A shuttle ride to Paihia costs 13-28 NZD, a taxi ride costs 79-100 NZD. You can buy a ticket at the office. carrier's website (in English). Prices on the page are for October 2018.

Search for flights to Auckland (the closest airport to the Bay of Islands)

Transport

People travel between resort towns either by buses - regular or chartered - or by taxi. You can rent a car, for example, at Kerikeri Airport. But the vast majority of tourists buy package tours, the price of which includes accommodation, entertainment and transfers. Parking in the towns is free, cars are parked along the streets and in large parking lots.

A taxi ride between neighboring cities costs 65-80 NZD; cars must be called in advance or taken at special parking lots.

Cargo and passenger ferries operate between the major islands. There are many bike rental shops.

Bay of Islands Hotels

Despite the fact that the Bay of Islands looks like a paradise, vacation here is affordable even for a mere mortal. Of course, choosing budget options, you need to be prepared that you will have to live at a relative distance from the beaches. However, lodges for 85-131 NZD for two are popular among active tourists who only need a roof over their head from housing. A campsite will cost about the same price (use of barbecue, toilet and shower included).

The most expensive options are rooms and bungalows with sea views in coastal hotel complexes in Russell. A night in a stunning hotel will cost 3,000 NZD for two with breakfast.

Well, most tourists choose not so luxurious, but very good in terms of price-quality ratio, 3-4* hotels for 150-325 NZD within cities.

Beaches

The Bay of Islands and surrounding areas have some of New Zealand's most picturesque beaches. They are all sandy, with a wall of virgin forest and clear azure water. Directly in the bay itself there are only three beach clusters - in Paihia, Oneroa and Oka. All of them are without sunbeds and umbrellas, but due to their proximity to the city infrastructure, you don’t notice these shortcomings. But on many beaches you can rent a boat or diving equipment.

The beaches of Paihia are perhaps the most popular in the resort. This perfect place for swimming, sunbathing and picnics literally a stone's throw from numerous cafes, shops and hotels. It is suitable for swimming, fishing and families with children - there is a large playground.

Sullivan Beach seems to be hidden in the southern part of the city ( GPS coordinates: −35.288128, 174.099719). This is very quiet place For romantics, you can only get here on foot, going around the rocks.

Located in Russell Oneroa, or Long Beach, is a favorite and local residents, and tourists (Russell, 32 Long Beach Road). Its long (about 1 km) golden strip is located in the eastern part of the town. Oneroa is just a 20-minute walk from the pier where ferries from Paihia arrive. The entry into the sea here is very shallow, so a significant part of the visitors are families with small children. After water treatments, you can sunbathe on the velvet sand (there are no sun loungers) and admire the nearby islands of Motuarohia and Motukauri.

Another top beach, Oke, is located 29 km from Russell, on Cape Brett (Rawhiti, Rawhiti Road 147). It is especially beautiful at low tide and is ideal for swimming and dolphin watching. Oke is a great place for a romantic walk at sunset.

Bay of Islands cuisine and restaurants

Bay of Islands eateries have completely different formats. Expensive hotels have excellent restaurants with terraces and sea views. There, of course, you will have to spend money - not the most satisfying, but very beautiful dinner with steak and New Zealand or Australian wine will cost 200-220 NZD. In the towns, coffee shops and simple cafes are common, serving mainly freshly prepared fish. Dinner there costs about 100 NZD per person. Local fast food is also based on seafood. A typical dish is deep-fried smelt fish with potatoes. Take such a bag, a bottle of cold beer - and go to the beach!

Things to do

As already mentioned, almost all tourists here are package tourists. Tours can also be purchased locally, for example, in Kerikeri. Everyone's trip includes everything they want: excursions to the islands, diving courses, participation in Maori rituals, helicopter rides, fishing, off-road trips.

Among the must-see places: a cliff with a cave on Percy Island near Cape Brett. It's especially impressive when the boat accelerates and rushes through the natural grotto at top speed. Often a ship with tourists is accompanied by dolphins - there are a huge number of them here.

Another must-see that will help you delve deeper into the culture of New Zealand is Waitangi. It was here that a treaty was concluded between Great Britain and the Maori tribes, which effectively marked the beginning of New Zealand's statehood. During the tour, guests are introduced to the history of the Bay of Islands Aboriginal people and invited to participate in some rituals.

New Zealand: North Island

  • Where to stay: a wide selection of hotels and apartments for every taste and budget can be found in largest cities North Island - Wellington and Auckland. In search of a quiet and measured holiday in the New Zealand outback, you should go to