Phantom Sailing Bay of Islands: Small group yacht tour with lunch

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Duration5h 30m

GroupUp to 10

LanguagesEN · ES

Mobile ticketAccepted

Sail through 144 islands and anchor for a swim, hike and homemade lunch

Phantom is a small-group sailing tour of the Bay of Islands aboard a live-aboard yacht with a maximum of 10 guests, led by Rick and Robin, who have spent two decades sailing these waters and raising their family on the boat. The tour includes a guided sail through the bay, a one-hour island stop for hiking or swimming, snorkeling equipment, and a homemade lunch prepared on board; no sailing experience is required, and the hosts offer optional instruction on how the yacht handles.

5h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Sail and explore Bay of Islands

Board yacht with up to 10 guests
Sail through Bay of Islands
Go ashore for one-hour hike
Swim, snorkel, or relax on board
Enjoy home-made lunch on yacht
Learn local history from hosts
Sail back to Russell
Observe native sea birds and dolphins

The Experience

The Bay of Islands has 144 islands scattered across its waters, and a five-and-a-half-hour sail lets you move through them instead of viewing them from a fixed point. You board at Russell and sail out with Rick and Robin, who narrate the bay's history as locals and point out native seabirds—penguins, gannets, shearwaters—and occasionally dolphins or orca. The maximum of 10 guests means you're not one of dozens; the hosts know your name and adjust the day to what interests you.

At the island stop, you have choices. Hike inland for views across the whole bay, or stay on the water: snorkel with the equipment provided, swim from the yacht, or sit on deck while Rick and Robin prepare lunch in the galley. The meal is homemade and served on board. If you want to learn how the yacht works, they're happy to show you—or you can simply watch the sail back to Russell unfold. The hosts speak English and Spanish, and they'll answer questions about the boat, the region, or the two decades they've spent sailing from the Caribbean through the South Pacific.

No sailing experience is necessary. The yacht is built for this work and handles the bay's conditions; you're there to be part of it, not to operate it. Children and infants can come aboard, and public transport reaches the Russell departure point.

What’s included

Use of snorkeling equipment.
homemade lunch prepared on board.
guided sail with local history and wildlife commentary.
one-hour island stop for hiking, swimming or snorkeling.
optional sailing instruction from the hosts.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Phantom Sailing

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want a sailing experience led by people who have lived on boats for two decades and still love meeting travelers—the small group size and the hosts' knowledge of the bay make it personal rather than a standard tour. Private departures are available on request if you want the yacht to yourself.