Bay of Islands: Awesome Day Sailing Tour with Island Stop

The best part of this Bay of Islands outing is that you get a real sailing day, not just a boat ride with scenery passing by. The 65-foot Gungha II has room to stretch out, and you can join the sailing or simply sit back as the yacht works its way past lava formations, sea caves, islands, and marine life.

I like the island stop, where you can swim ashore with a mask and snorkel, walk up for views, or stay on the beach. I also like the generous food: fresh fruit and vegetables in the morning, followed by sandwiches, drinks, and soft drinks with lunch.

The main consideration is comfort and access. You must go barefoot on board, the boat is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with limited mobility, and sailing conditions can be calm at first. If you want a fast, nonstop cruise, this relaxed pace may not be your ideal match.

Key points to know before booking

• A proper sailing vessel: Gungha II is a 65-foot ocean-going yacht, not a small sightseeing launch.
• An active island stop: Walk, swim, snorkel, comb the beach, or combine all four.
• Food is part of the experience: Morning fruit and vegetable snacks and a fresh sandwich lunch are included.
• Wildlife is possible: Dolphins, penguins, seabirds, and other marine life may appear along the route.
• A friendly, informal crew: Captain Mike is often at the center of the day, with crew members such as Deb, Byron, Mischa, and others assisting on different departures.
• Plan for bare feet and weather: Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, rain gear, and a jacket.

Setting sail from Paihia on Gungha II

You board at Paihia Wharf, in front of the i-SITE on Marsden Road. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way to the wharf and arrive ready for a full six hours on the water.

The first step is a safety briefing. After that, the day feels informal. If you want to learn more about sailing, you can take part when invited. If you would rather enjoy the breeze and views, you can relax on deck.

That choice is important. Some sailing trips expect everyone to be active, while others keep you firmly in passenger mode. Gungha II offers a middle ground. You can ask questions, watch the crew handle the yacht, and get a sense of how the boat moves under sail without having to prove that you are a sailor.

The yacht is described as the largest and most capable ocean-going boat on this outing. That does not mean the trip is luxurious in a polished, resort-like way. Its appeal is the sense of being on a working sailing yacht, with open air, salt water, and plenty of room to find a comfortable spot.

The group size can feel personal rather than crowded. One departure had 12 people aboard, while another was described as only four passengers plus the skipper. The exact number can vary, but the overall style is smaller and more relaxed than a large sightseeing cruise.

The Bay of Islands by sail, caves, and lava rock

The route gives you time to look closely at the Bay of Islands rather than simply ticking off a few named sights. You pass unusual island shapes, old lava flows, and caves cut into the coast by waves.

The geology is one of the quiet pleasures of the trip. Ancient volcanic activity helped shape the islands, while the sea has continued to wear at the rock. From a yacht, you see these features from water level, with changing angles as the boat moves past.

Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole day looking through it. The scenery changes slowly enough that you can settle into it. You might see penguins, seabirds, or groups of dolphins. Sightings are not guaranteed, but dolphins have been part of several memorable outings, including playful groups near the boat on the return journey.

The boat may move slowly when the wind is light. That is not a fault with the crew or the yacht. Sailing depends on the weather, and one calm morning meant a gentler start before stronger wind arrived later. If you are hoping to feel the boat lean and pick up speed, conditions may build as the day goes on.

I see that as part of the bargain. A sailboat gives you a quieter, more natural ride, but it cannot deliver the same speed on every departure. On calm stretches, use the time to watch the coastline and listen to the captain’s stories.

Captain Mike and the personal feel of the day

Captain Mike is frequently the main guide and host, though the crew changes. Deb, Byron, Mischa, Melissa, David, Elias, Marley, and other crew members have all been part of different outings described in the supplied material.

Mike’s role goes beyond steering. He shares information about the Bay of Islands, Paihia, Kerikeri, sailing, and New Zealand. If you sit toward the stern, you may hear more of his local stories and commentary. That is a useful tip if you enjoy conversation and background rather than a quiet ride.

The tone is friendly and informal. The crew keeps food moving, helps with the sailing, explains what is happening, and looks after people during the island stop. You are not treated as a number in a queue.

There is one sensible qualification. A small boat does not always mean that everyone hears every word. With a fuller group, it can be harder to follow all the commentary at once. If the stories matter to you, move closer when Mike is speaking or ask him questions during a quieter part of the trip.

The crew’s personal approach is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing over a basic scenic cruise. You get scenery on any boat in the bay. Here, you also get time with a skipper who can connect the places you see with sailing and local life.

Fresh snacks, lunch, and the practical food details

Food is handled unusually well for a six-hour boat trip. Fresh fruit and vegetable snacks are served during the morning, so you are not waiting until lunch with an empty stomach.

The main meal is a fresh sandwich lunch. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available, but you should make your needs clear when booking or before departure. Drinking water and soft drinks are offered with lunch.

The meal is served after the island exploration, which makes good sense. You can walk, swim, or snorkel first, then return to the boat or eat while enjoying the island setting. On one outing, lunch was remembered as a sandwich enjoyed at Stingray Beach, a simple arrangement that fits the relaxed style of the day.

Do not expect a restaurant meal or a long formal lunch service. This is fresh, practical boat food. The value comes from having it included and from not needing to pack a full day’s supplies yourself.

You should still bring a water bottle if you prefer to have one with you throughout the day, although drinking water is provided. Sunscreen is also important. Open water, reflected light, and time on the island can make the sun feel stronger than it does at the wharf.

The island stop, from beach walk to snorkel

The island stop is what gives this trip more shape than a simple sail around the bay. You leave the yacht for a secluded stretch of shore, where you can choose how active you want to be.

If you are comfortable in the water, you can swim ashore wearing the provided mask and snorkel. People who prefer to remain dry are transferred to land. Once ashore, the choices are straightforward:

• Walk through the island setting
• Look for views from higher ground
• Comb the beach
• Swim in the bay
• Snorkel near shore
• Do a little of everything

This flexible format works well for mixed groups. One person can take the walk while another stays near the beach. You do not have to commit to a single activity for the whole stop.

The island walk can be more than a gentle stroll. A climb to a high point has provided wide views over the water, so wear something suitable for walking even if your main plan is swimming. You will also be walking barefoot on the island in some cases, since special beach footwear may be supplied to help avoid bringing harmful organisms ashore.

Snorkeling is best treated as a pleasant extra, not a guaranteed underwater show. You may see fish in the lagoon or sheltered water, but conditions and visibility vary. The stop is valuable even if you choose not to snorkel because it breaks up the sailing time and lets you experience the coast from land.

A hot outdoor shower is available afterward. That small detail matters. It lets you rinse off salt and sand before settling in for the return trip, and it is especially welcome on a cooler day.

The return sail and the chance of dolphins

After lunch and the island stop, you return to Gungha II for the sail back to Paihia. This leg can feel different from the morning if the wind has strengthened.

A calm departure may turn into a proper sailing run later in the day. The yacht can pick up speed, and you get a better sense of what it can do as an ocean-going vessel. If you want to help with sailing, this is a good time to stay attentive and ask the crew what they are doing.

Keep watching the water on the return. Dolphins have appeared alongside the yacht, sometimes putting on a lively show. Penguins and seabirds are also possible, though wildlife remains a matter of luck and season.

The trip ends back at Paihia Wharf after about six hours. There are clean toilets on board, which helps on a full-day outing, though you should still bring a jacket or rain gear. Weather can change quickly on the water, even when Paihia looks warm at departure.

What $104 buys you

At $104 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Bay of Islands. It is also not simply a six-hour boat transfer. The price includes the yacht ride, sailing time, snacks, lunch, snorkel equipment, the island stop, a hot outdoor shower, toilets, drinking water, and soft drinks with lunch.

That bundle makes the cost reasonable if you plan to use the day fully. A separate scenic cruise followed by a meal and water activity could easily add up, while this outing keeps everything in one experience.

The strongest value comes from the time on the water. You are not paying for a short trip to one beach. You get a long route through the bay, a proper stop ashore, food, and the chance to participate in sailing.

The value drops if you dislike open-water outings, do not want to go barefoot, or have no interest in swimming, walking, or snorkeling. In that case, a shorter sightseeing cruise may suit you better.

You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Those terms help if your North Island plans depend on weather or changing transport arrangements.

Who should book this sailing day

I would choose this tour if you want the Bay of Islands to feel like a place rather than a backdrop. It suits couples, families with active older children, solo visitors, and small groups who enjoy a friendly crew and a flexible day.

It is especially good for you if you like:

• Sailing more than high-speed boat rides
• Quiet scenery and open water
• A mix of walking, swimming, and snorkeling
• Local stories from the skipper
• Fresh, simple food included in the price
• A smaller group atmosphere

It is less suitable if you need step-free access, use a wheelchair, have limited mobility, or have heart problems. You also need to manage a boat environment with changing weather, bare feet on board, and movement under sail.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a camera, a jacket, and rain gear. Smoking, vaping, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed. The tour is conducted in English.

Should you book Gungha II?

Book it if you want a full, unhurried day that combines sailing, scenery, wildlife, food, and time ashore. The island stop makes the outing feel complete, and the crew’s warm approach adds something a standard cruise cannot easily match.

Choose another option if you want guaranteed wildlife, a fast ride, hotel pickup, or easy access for limited mobility. For everyone else, $104 buys a well-filled six hours and a genuine chance to experience the Bay of Islands under sail.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour depart from?

You board Gungha II at Paihia Wharf, in front of the i-SITE on Marsden Road in Paihia.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts six hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes morning snacks, sailing, the island stop, mask and snorkel equipment, a hot outdoor shower, fresh sandwich lunch, clean toilets, drinking water, and soft drinks with lunch.

Can I swim or snorkel during the island stop?

Yes. You can swim ashore with snorkel equipment if you wish. You may also be transferred ashore if you prefer to stay dry.

Are vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free meals available?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free lunch options are available.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a camera, a jacket, and rain gear.

Do I need to wear shoes on the yacht?

Sailors must go barefoot on board.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The tour is not recommended for people with limited mobility and is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with heart problems.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can reserve now and pay later. Cancellation up to 24 hours in advance qualifies for a full refund.