Bay of Islands: Day Sailing Cruise with Island Stop and Lunch
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Bay of Islands, New Zealand
- 6 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
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Overview
Spend a day relaxing during this catamaran sailing trip, complete with an island stop and packed lunch. Sail aboard a spacious 40-foot (12-meter) catamaran in the Bay of Islands. Enjoy the scenery as you glide through the waters. Anchor at a secluded bay at an island accessible only by boat. Choose to stroll the island, swim, try stand-up paddle boarding, or snorkel. Relish a delicious catered packed lunch on beanbags upfront before cruising back to Paihia.
- Board a catamaran charter on the Bay of Islands; enjoy the scenic views
- Anchor at an island where you can swim, snorkel, and enjoy paddle-boarding
- Savor a tasty packed lunch on the island with a beautiful view
- Restroom available on board for your comfort
What's Included
- 6 hour Sail through the Bay Of Islands with skipper's commentary
- LunchTasty catered packed lunch; Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten and Dairy Free Options available (please state when booking)
- 2 hour island stopover
- Use of Snorkeling and Paddle Board equipment
- Private transportationSmall Groups with maximum 19 passengers
- Restroom on board
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Paihia WharfPaihia 0200, New Zealand
Walk out to the end of Paihia Wharf and look for the Bayscapes Catamaran, it has a dark blue sail pack with "Bayscapes" in white letters.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.9:30 am
Itinerary
1
Paihia Harbour
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
2
Bay of Islands
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
3
Paihia Harbour
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 19 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Beata_A
Had the best day exploring the Bay of Islands with Bayscape Charters. The catamaran was spotless and very comfortable. The lunch was filling and delicious, better than we had expected. The options for a walk, snorkeling, paddle boards and swimming made for an adventurous day. Brad and Monique are very friendly, professional, knowledgable yet laid back and made the whole experience exceptional. The blankets, when it got windy, were a nice touch. I highly recommend them.
Reviews
5.0
based on 105 reviews
Victoria_D, Mar 2026
Wow! Great little cruise to a secluded island. Experienced and professional crew sailed us on their comfortable vessel with a nice little boxed lunch. Small group and intimate experience. We liked everything about this operation.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your awesome review. We're glad to hear you enjoyed your cruise.
Jeffrey_L, Mar 2026
Relaxing catamaran ride through the Bay of Islands and to an island hike. Guides provided interesting history of area along the way.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thanks for your great review. We are glad are to hear you enjoyed your sail with us.
Michael_K, Mar 2026
One of the highlights of our trip to NZ! Even though several passengers on the trip cancelled last minute, Brad and Monique still took just a small group of 4 out! We had the whole boat to ourselves. Beautiful day exploring the Bay of Islands with a delicious lunch! Definitely beats the excursion from the cruise line!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thanks for your great review. We are glad are to hear you enjoyed your sail with us.
JJ_H, Feb 2026
A nice relaxing day and a highlight of my time in the Bay of the Islands. Definitely preferable to storming around the bay in a motorized boat
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your awesome review. It was great to have you onboard with us.
Janet_S, Feb 2026
This was a great experience. The crew/owners/operators were awesome, friendly and provided wonderful insight and information. The catamaran is very comfortable both on deck and below.
The lunch provided was a great addition to our experience. Great to have the option to snorkel, paddle board, swim and/or hike. A lovely day and we had a wonderful time.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your awesome review. It was great to have you onboard with us.
Kathie_J, Feb 2026
Bean bags chais are provided on the deck which is great. Lunch is sandwiches, cookie, fruit and savory muffin.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your fantastic review. It was great to have you onboard with us.
JUDY_P, Feb 2026
Lovely Bay of Islands cruise with Brad and Monique on BayEscapes! Relaxing cruise out thru islands and then We had many options of snorkeling, paddle boarding, a short hike with stunning views. Delicious lunch and relaxing cruise back to Paihia wharf. Only about a dozen onboard so not crowded. Monique was VERY helpful with all my questions about motion sickness and made it VERY easy to switch to a day that fit our schedule better. We also saw blue penguins and a shark enjoying their swim. They basically were sharing their home with us and it was very clean and cared for with love. A safe journey. We recommend this cruise!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your fantastic review. It was great to have you onboard with us.
Francine_D, Feb 2026
Wonderful day on the water. Comfy bean bags on deck allowed us to sit back and relax. Brad and Monique were great hosts. Lovely swim near the beach.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your great review. We are thrilled you enjoyed your time onboard.
Beata_A, Feb 2026
Had the best day exploring the Bay of Islands with Bayscape Charters. The catamaran was spotless and very comfortable. The lunch was filling and delicious, better than we had expected. The options for a walk, snorkeling, paddle boards and swimming made for an adventurous day. Brad and Monique are very friendly, professional, knowledgable yet laid back and made the whole experience exceptional. The blankets, when it got windy, were a nice touch. I highly recommend them.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your awesome review. We are glad you enjoyed your charter with us.
ilana_d, Jan 2026
Great experience, beautiful day on the water! Comfortable on board with the bean bags, and lunch was hearty and tasty. After sailing out to the island, we had 2 hrs to hike/swim/paddle board/snorkel and eat lunch before heading back to the wharf. It was a wonderful day!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your awesome review. We are stoked you enjoyed your day on Bayscapes!
Ben_D, Jan 2026
Brad and Monique were fantastic! While it was unfortunate that we weren't able to make it out to the Islands due to the weather, we were so appreciative of their professionalism, excellent communication, and clear commitment to the safety and well-being of their guests.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your review. We'd love to have you onboard another time.
Amanda_H, Jan 2026
I can’t even begin to describe the incredible day we had with Monique and Brandon! The boat was immaculate and very comfortable, the scenery incredible, the service impeccable and the lunch provided was delicious!
Without going in to great detail about our cruise and sail around the bay of islands with wonderful commentary along the way, and a stop at a fabulous beach for swimming, hiking, paddle boarding, I very highly recommend this excursion! It has been the highlight of our time in Paihia!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your awesome review! It is great to hear you enjoyed your charter with us.
David_P, Jan 2026
We were a party of 7, mixed ages and all had a fabulous time. Would highly recommend Bayscapes to anyone visiting the area.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your awesome review. We are stoked your group had a great day onboard.
DEBORAH_D, Jan 2026
A great introduction to our 6 week New Zealand adventure! It is obvious that Brad and Monique take pride in their charter business and beautiful catamaran. They were fabulous hosts and great ambassadors of New Zealand. Lunch was amazing too! Thank you so much!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your great review! It is great to hear you enjoyed your charter with us.
Tony_R, Jan 2026
We was a family of 5, a 6yr, 8yr & 10yr. We had an amazing time, nothing was too much trouble and the boat is skippered by the owners, not employee's. Nothing was too much trouble, they were always checking in on people and offering towels ect if you felt you might be getting cold on the cloudier days.
Lunch was fantastic and the boat had a launch to take you to the beach for a hike or 4 paddleboards and snorkeling equipment.
We did a great amount of REAL sailing.
Overall 10 out of 10
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your great review. It was a pleasure to have your family onboard with us.
Randy_R, May 2025
Exceptional half day sail with a stop for snorkeling, hiking and paddle boarding. Extremely relaxing! Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thanks for your amazing review, it was great to have you onboard with us.
Adam_T, Apr 2025
Absolute must do!! I cannot fault this great day out. Had a 6yo, 10yo and 12yo and they had a blast. Take a couple of beverages if you prefer a beer or wine with lunch.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thanks Adam, we are so happy you and your family enjoyed your time with us.
Brian_B, Apr 2025
Brad & Monique were the best hosts !!
Their catamaran is beautiful and comfortable
and they clearly take pride in their tours and equipment.
It was so nice to be able relax on the top deck
on some bean bags that they set up and take
in the scenery.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thanks Brian, we are thrilled to hear you enjoyed your experience with us.
chrismb, Mar 2025
We had a wonderful catamaran trip around the Bay Of Islands. The Catamaran docked in a sheltered bay a d some people went for a walk over the island. I went for a swim. You could go snorkeling or paddle boarding. The was a packed lunch of sandwiches, cake etc and an apple. The couple who own the catamaran are very friendly. It was a very well organised tour, and they got us back to land in time for our tender back to the cruise ship
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thanks Chris for your amazing review. We are thrilled to hear you enjoyed your charter experience with us.
Jay_S, Mar 2025
Had a great day on the water. Would highly recommend Bayscape for your sailing adventure in Paihia. Terrific boat. Nice small group. Comfortable for all. Well managed and local owned. The day included sailing, an island stop for short hike or swimming. Lunch was high quality.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thanks for your awesome review. We are so happy you enjoyed your charter with us
Roy_C, Feb 2025
A fantastic way to see the Bay of Islands, on a beautiful, spotlessly clean vessel.
The views, the island stop for lunch, the walk on the island, even my first ever attempt at paddle boarding, (which meant I had plenty of swim time!) were all great fun.
Brad and Monique were wonderful, so friendly, entertaining and informative, and the whole experience was relaxing and unhurried. The packed lunch was also delicious.
Probably the best of many, many excursions we have enjoyed, worldwide, over many years. Yes, that good.
Thank you, Brad and Monique, for sharing the Bay of Islands, the most picturesque place in the world, in our opinion, in such a fantastic way.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thanks for your stunning review. It was an absolute pleasure to have you onboard.
x9rqbj6hpp, Feb 2025
Monique and Brad made the trip easy by explaining the day’s agenda. As the weather was good, we had a relaxing sail through the calm waters, visiting islands and seeing some of the birdlife.. Sadly no marine life was present. A simple lunch was provided.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for you review. While marine mammals are a highlight, they are in wild and in their natural habitat so we cannot guarantee sightings. We are glad that the rest of your trip was enjoyable.
Paul_M, Feb 2025
Monique and Brad are experts in hosting an epic day on the water sailing in the beautiful Bay of Islands. Super clean boat, real sailing, a delicious lunch, and just the right amount of insightful and friendly commentary made the trip a highlight of our cruise with Celebrity. Book it early!!
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you for your fantastic review. We are so happy you enjoyed your day with us.
Pairoj_C, Feb 2025
Very relaxing and nice vegetarian box lunch option. We stopped at one island for a short trail hike then snorkeling and paddle board. Clean boat and excellent crews.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you for your fantastic review. We are so happy you enjoyed your day with us.
Ian_E, Feb 2025
This was a fantastic day, if you like being on the water, viewing scenery and swimming do this day trip!
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you for your fantastic review. We are so happy you enjoyed your day with us.
Daniel_J, Feb 2025
The Hibiscus Star is an immaculately maintained catamaran and Brad and Monique are exceptional crew. We highly recommend Bayscapes Sailing Charters. We had a great day of weather, saw little blue penguins, a hammerhead shark, and numerous dolphins who played along side the boat. The scenery was amazing and the lunch was delicious.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you for your fantastic review. We are so happy you enjoyed your day with us.
Wayne, Jan 2025
We had a wonderful time Greg and Monique were fantastic so professional and smooth sailing. This is the perfect experience to get out and see the Bay of Islands. We would do this again and again!
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you for your fantastic review. We are so happy you enjoyed your day with us.
Joseph_J, Dec 2024
The whole thing was great! Monique and Brad were awesome. Bayscapes is the best! Their boat is beautiful.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you for your great review
Mekaela_G, Dec 2024
We had the best time with Brad and Monique! Highly recommend this experience seeing the islands and trying out paddleboarding.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thanks for your fabulous review. We are glad you enjoyed your day.
David_S, Nov 2024
Beautiful blue sky day in an absolutely gorgeous part of New Zealand. Monique and Brad were terrific hosts and skippers on their very clean and well equipped catamaran. The winds were good so we sailed most of the day. It was truly magical. The water was a bit chilly but that didn’t stop most passengers from taking a dip in the irresistible turquoise water. An absolute must if you’re anywhere near the Bay of Islands. Six stars if it was an option.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thanks for your review! You've made us starry eyed!
From $128.28
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