Things to do in Paihia
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Paihia: Hole in the Rock Cruise & Island SnorkelYou board at Paihia Wharf and spend 4.5 hours on the water: sailing through the Hole in the Rock, stopping on Roberton Island for a walk and views, passing Cape Brett Lighthouse, then anchoring at a second island where snorkel gear is provided and you can swim or relax on the beach. Lunch is your own or pre-ordered; all snorkel equipment is included.Is it for me?Book this if you want the Bay of Islands' main sights — the Hole in the Rock, two islands, snorkeling — in one morning without renting a boat or figuring out the stops yourself; the small-group format and local crew are what make the pace feel unhurried rather than rushed.
Bay of Islands Overnight Cruise Paihia: Snorkeling & KayakingYou board at Paihia Wharf in the afternoon and stay overnight in a shared cabin, snorkeling and kayaking in the Bay of Islands with meals and all activities included. Night kayaking, island walks, fishing and seafood collection happen across the 22 hours, guided by a crew that knows the water. No separate payments for entry or activities — everything is covered once you step aboard.Is it for me?Book this if you want to actually spend time in the Bay of Islands rather than rush through it in a day — the overnight format is what makes night kayaking, fishing at dusk and a full island walk possible without feeling squeezed.
Paihia Bay of Islands: 6-Hour Catamaran Cruise & Island SnorkelYou board a catamaran directly from Paihia beach and sail among 144 islands for six hours, including a two-hour stopover at a wildlife sanctuary where you choose between snorkeling, paddle boarding, or bush walks. Lunch, morning tea, all equipment and a local guide are included. The boat holds 16 to 20 people maximum and returns to the same beach by mid-afternoon.Is it for me?Book this if you want a full day on the water without arranging your own boat, equipment or island access — the catamaran, guide, lunch and all gear are sorted, and the two-hour island stopover gives you real time to snorkel or explore without feeling rushed.
Bay of Islands: Hole in the Rock Cruise & Island BBQ LunchYou’ll cruise past green islands from Paihia Wharf, spot dolphins with commentary from your skipper, squeeze through the Hole in the Rock if weather allows, then relax over a BBQ lunch at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island—with time to swim or hike before heading back. It’s not just scenery; it’s laughter, salt air, and stories you’ll carry home.
Paihia: Hole in the Rock Cruise & Dolphins Bay of IslandsYou board an air-conditioned boat in Paihia and cruise through the Bay of Islands' 144 islands, passing significant sights and wildlife with a skipper guide. You stop for 90 minutes on Urupukapuka Island to swim, walk, or relax at the café, then cruise through the famous Hole in the Rock before returning. The route is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels.Is it for me?Book this if you want the Bay of Islands' main sights in a half-day without arranging your own boat or timing multiple stops — the fixed schedule and skipper guide handle the navigation and the story, leaving you to decide whether to swim, walk, or sit still on the island.
Cape Reinga & 90 Mile Beach: Full-Day Far North Tour from PaihiaYou ride in a 4x4 coach along 90 Mile Beach, stand at Cape Reinga lighthouse where two seas meet, sand board the Te Paki dunes (conditions permitting), and eat fresh lunch with a local guide who knows the Far North's history and Ngāti Kuri culture. Tides determine the stop order, so check in 15 minutes early and bring a change of clothes for the dunes.Is it for me?Pick this tour if you want to see the Far North's main landmarks — Cape Reinga, 90 Mile Beach, the sand dunes — without arranging your own transport or timing around the tides, which is what makes a full day of all three possible in one departure.
Bay of Islands Cruise & Snorkel: Hole in the Rock & Twin LagoonsA 4.5-hour cruise through the Bay of Islands from Paihia that stops at Roberton Island for a walk to the Twin Lagoons lookout, then heads out to the Hole in the Rock and Cape Brett Lighthouse before a second island stop for snorkelling and swimming. The boat carries smaller groups, a live English-speaking guide provides commentary on history, ecology and Maori culture throughout, and snorkelling gear is included. Weather can affect whether the boat actually sails through the Hole in the Rock; if conditions are unsuitable, the route stays within the shelter of the inner islands instead.Is it for me?Choose the Paihia departure if you're staying on the north side of the Bay; the Russell departure works better if you're based across the water. Either way, smaller groups mean the guide's commentary stays personal and you're not competing for space at the lookout or in the water.
Bay of Islands: V8 Trike Ride to Opua, Haruru Falls & LookoutYou’ll buckle into a V8 trike in Paihia and ride out with your local guide through Opua marina village, past Haruru Falls’ misty spray, and up to Waitangi Lookout for those wide-open Bay of Islands views. Expect salty air, friendly locals waving you by, and a bit of an adrenaline rush that lingers longer than you’d think.
Hole in the Rock Cruise & Bay of Islands Tour: 144 IslandsA 3-hour scenic boat cruise from Paihia through the Bay of Islands, visiting the Hole in the Rock geological formation at Cape Brett and stopping on Roberton Island for a short walk to panoramic viewpoints. The tour includes live guide commentary, wildlife spotting, and cruising among 144 subtropical islands in a group of no more than 49 passengers. The Hole in the Rock section is weather dependent; if conditions don't allow, the boat takes an alternative route through the sheltered inner islands instead.Is it for me?Most Bay of Islands tours either stick to the sheltered inner islands or demand a full day and a car. This one reaches the Hole in the Rock and a remote island in three hours from the Paihia wharf, so you get both the open-water geology and the island walk without the time commitment or the logistics.
Helicopter tours in Paihia: land on Hole in the RockYou board a helicopter in Paihia and fly over the Bay of Islands' main islands, viewing the Hole in the Rock arch at Cape Brett, Russell, and the Waitangi Treaty grounds. The pilot provides commentary throughout. You have the option to land on top of the Hole in the Rock itself. The flight requires a minimum of two passengers and departs at a time you request when booking.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the Bay of Islands' full geography and the Hole in the Rock from a perspective that ground-level tours can't offer — the helicopter does the traveling, so you only need to show up and look.
Bay of Islands: Parasailing Flight 1300ft & Scenic Boat RideYou’ll feel your heart race as you lift off for New Zealand’s highest parasailing flight over Bay of Islands — with wild views toward Russell and Hole in the Rock. Tandem or triple flights mean sharing those laughs (and nerves) with friends while a local guide keeps things lighthearted and safe. Includes all gear plus a scenic boat ride before you touch back down.
Bay of Islands Catamaran Sailing & Island Stop from PaihiaYou board at Paihia Wharf and sail the Bay of Islands for six hours on a catamaran with a maximum of 19 guests. You get a two-hour island stop where you can snorkel, paddleboard, swim or walk ashore—or simply sit and rest. Lunch is served onboard with dietary options available, and the crew handles the commentary on local wildlife and history while you watch for dolphins and penguins. The whole thing is designed so you don't have to arrange transport, equipment or timing yourself.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the Bay of Islands without driving yourself or coordinating separate activities—the boat, the gear, the lunch and the timing are all arranged, and the small group size means you're not herded through the day.
Bay of Islands: V8 Trike Ride to Haruru Falls & LookoutYou’ll feel the wind rush past as you ride a V8 trike from Paihia out to Haruru Falls with a local driver who knows every curve in the road. Snap photos at Waitangi lookout, laugh with your group, and catch those small moments of quiet above the Bay of Islands. It’s quick but leaves an impression long after.
Bay of Islands: Evening sailing cruise with swim stopYou’ll board straight from Paihia beach for an evening sailing cruise through the Bay of Islands, guided by locals who know every inlet. Swim off the catamaran in sheltered waters, sip a complimentary drink as dusk settles in, and catch those shifting colors you’ll remember long after the trip.
Kerikeri historic tour Stone Store Mission Station with lunchA guided tour of Kerikeri's historic Mission Station, established in 1819, takes you through the Stone Store (1832, New Zealand's oldest stone building) and Kemp House (1821, the oldest wooden building), followed by Makana Chocolate Factory, Rainbow Falls and lunch with a glass of local wine at the Plough & Feather pub. The tour runs approximately 3 to 4 hours and includes transport by air-conditioned minivan, all entrance fees, lunch and beverages. A live English-speaking guide leads the group, and hotel pickup is included; children from age 13 are welcome.Is it for me?Pick this if you want a guide who speaks English throughout a 4-hour walk through New Zealand's oldest stone and wooden buildings—the Kerikeri Stone Store and Mission Station—rather than reading plaques on your own.
Cape Reinga & 90 Mile Beach tour from Paihia: lighthouse walkA full-day guided tour from Paihia to Cape Reinga, 90 Mile Beach, Te Paki Stream and Mangonui, with a knowledgeable tour leader, air-conditioned vehicle and lunch stop included. The tour takes 11 hours and carries a maximum of 11 passengers. Children from age 11 are welcome, and pickup from your Paihia accommodation is included.Is it for me?At 11 hours, this tour fills most of a day and leaves the rest of your schedule open for other activities in the Bay of Islands or a return to your accommodation. The fixed itinerary and included transport mean you're not arranging the route or managing multiple stops — the day is built for you, and the small group size keeps the pace manageable for all fitness levels.
