The 15 Best Sailing in Paihia

1.Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sailing on R. Tucker Thompson Including BBQ Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 361 reviews · from $111Our pick

Spend 5.5 hours aboard the working tall ship R. Tucker Thompson with Captain Magnus and crew. Help raise sails, steer, climb the rigging, swim, or relax. Morning tea, fresh scones, chicken BBQ lunch, and a Russell to Paihia ferry ticket are included when selected.

“My partner and I recently went on the R. Tucker Thompson Bay of Islands Tall Ship tour, and it was amazing! The crew were friendly, and great immersing their guests in an interactive sailing experience. Every step of the way the crew made Read more”

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2.Island Hopper Day Cruise – sailing to wildlife sanctuary island – 6 hr cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 301 reviews · from $139

Spend six hours sailing from Paihia among the Bay of Islands’ 144 islands. Barefoot Sailing Adventures combines a small-group catamaran trip with a two-hour stop at a wildlife sanctuary island, where you can snorkel, paddleboard, swim, hike, or relax. Luke and his crew provide local stories, lunch, tea, and equipment.

“Awesome day on the catamaran with knowledgeable, helpful staff. Luke and Nero were great. Encourage anyone do do this tour.”

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3.Full-Day Bay of Islands Tour by Vigilant Yacht Charters

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 219 reviews · from $114

Set sail from Russell at 10am aboard Vigilant, a comfortable yacht limited to 10 people. Captain Nat, Dallas, Anita, or Nick may invite you to help with the sails or take the helm. Expect a wind-led route, island time for swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, and walking, plus lunch, hot drinks, and return transport to Russell.

“We enjoyed a lovely day aboard Vigilant. The captain and her first mate were knowledgeable sailors and made the day quite enjoyable. They made us feel welcome and shared their knowledge and history of the area. We spent 1.5 hours on an island that allowed us to hike, swim, and kayak followed by a freshly made lunch and a leisurely sail. The weather was perfect and we enjoyed our time getting to know the captain, first mate and our fellow passengers. We highly recommend this tour.”

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4.Phantom Sailing Bay of Islands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 177 reviews · from $121

Spend about 5.5 hours aboard the Phantom, a live-aboard yacht sailing from Russell through the Bay of Islands. Rick and Robyn host up to 10 people, sharing local stories, sailing tips, and a homemade lunch. You can swim, snorkel, relax on deck, or walk to an island viewpoint before sailing back.

“A pure sailing trip, a day at sea, let the wind carry you . Expect to be on deck most of the day with an hour on an island.”

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5.Bay of Islands: Catamaran Sail, Wildlife Island & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 173 reviews · 6 hours · from $134

Spend six hours with Barefoot Sailing Adventures aboard a comfortable catamaran from Paihia. You can help sail with guides such as Luke, relax on beanbags, watch seabirds and penguins, then spend two hours on a wildlife sanctuary island with lunch, snorkeling, paddleboarding, swimming, and a short forest walk.

“This was an amazing experience! We had the best day out the boat taking in the beautiful surroundings of the bay of islands. Was so nice to have a stopover at Moreton Island for just over 2hrs. Plenty of time from swim, snorkeling and paddle boarding!”

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6.Bay of Islands: Full-Day Tall Ship Sailing Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 147 reviews · 5h 30m · from $107

Spend about 5.5 hours aboard the locally built R. Tucker Thompson, helping hoist sails, steer, climb the rigging, swim, and walk to a viewpoint on Motuarohia Island. The crew serves fresh scones, a BBQ lunch, and drinks from the licensed bar. Ferry tickets from Paihia to Russell are included.

“Amazing! Incredible and unique way to explore the bay of islands. Climbing the rigging, swinging off the boat on a rope swing and properly sailing with a glass of wine in hand were particular highlights. The crew were friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. Couldnt recommend enough. Highlight of our trip around NZ.”

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7.Bay of Islands: Day Sailing Cruise with Island Stop & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 122 reviews · 6 hours · from $128

Spend six hours aboard Bayscapes Charters’ catamaran with Brad and Monique, sailing from Paihia into the Bay of Islands. You’ll have two hours at an island stop for swimming, snorkelling, paddleboarding, or a short bush walk, followed by a catered lunch. The boat has beanbags, an indoor saloon, and a small-group feel.

“Delightful day with the charming young couple who own this beautiful catamaran and who clearly love sharing with visitors their beautiful bay of islands.”

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8.Bay of Islands: Awesome Day Sailing Tour with Island Stop

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 101 reviews · 6 hours · from $104

Spend six hours aboard the 65-foot Gungha II from Paihia, sailing past caves, lava formations, seabirds, penguins, and dolphins. Captain Mike and his crew offer fresh snacks, a sandwich lunch, snorkel gear, and an island stop for walking, swimming, or snorkeling. Expect a small, informal trip and barefoot sailing.

“Lovely day, good refreshments, snorkelling, sailing and swimming. Informative host, though rather too many of us to be able to listen to him altogether. Not much opportunity to help with the sailing unfortunately, but a most enjoyable day.”

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9.Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sundowner Sailing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 100 reviews · from $61

Meet the R. Tucker Thompson at Russell Wharf for a relaxed 1-hour-50-minute sail through the inner Bay of Islands. Help raise the sails, enjoy a shared antipasto platter, buy a drink from the licensed bar, and try the rigging if you wish. Paihia visitors receive a return ferry ticket.

“Amazing dedication of staff on the ship who showed their love for what they do. Explaining the story behind the group who run the experience was very interesting.”

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10.Bay of Islands: Late Afternoon Sailing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 90 reviews · 2 hours · from $53Best value

Join the R. Tucker Thompson at Russell Wharf for a two-hour late afternoon sail through the Bay of Islands. Help hoist the sails, steer under supervision, climb the rigging if you wish, or enjoy the views with antipasto and a drink from the cash bar. Paihia ferry tickets are included.

“The staff on board were very friendly and knowledgeable. They were willing for us to have a go at helping with the rigging of the sails and steering the ship and there is an opportunity to climb to the top of the mast. All safety measures are in place to make it an enjoyable expwrience.”

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11.Bay of Islands: Day Sailing Cruise with Island Stop and Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 89 reviews · from $133

Join Bayscapes Charters in Paihia for a six-hour sailing day aboard a 40-foot catamaran. Brad and Monique host a small group of up to 19 people, with time to swim, snorkel, paddleboard, walk an island trail, and eat a packed lunch in a sheltered bay. The boat has beanbags, a restroom, and room to relax.

“The couple that ran the catamaran were extremely nice and very knowledgeable. We enjoyed our time sailing and spending time on the beach and hiking. The lunch they provided was really good as well.”

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12.Bay of Islands 2-Hour Sundowner Evening Sailing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 36 reviews · 2 hours · from $56

Step from Paihia Beach onto Barefoot Sailing Adventures’ modern catamaran at 4:45 PM. With an English-speaking crew, you’ll sail through the inner Bay of Islands, view Paihia, Opua, Russell, and Waitangi from the water, stop for an optional swim, and return by 7 PM with a drink in hand.

“The cruise was very nice. The guide was really lovely and knew a lot about the area. Def recommend this cruise!”

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13.Sundowner Evening Cruise – 2 hour evening sailing cruise with swim stop

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · from $58

Join Barefoot Sailing Adventures in Paihia for a two-hour evening sail through the inner Bay of Islands. Captain Luke and the crew take up to 16 people past Paihia and Russell, pause at a sheltered anchorage for a swim, and let the sails do the work. A complimentary alcoholic beverage is included, but food and other drinks are not.

“Great evening on the water. Had a nice swim before setting sail. So great when Luke turned off the motor and let the wind work for us. So quiet. Lovely evening and great captain.”

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14.Private Luxury Sailing Catamaran Charter in the Bay of Islands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · from $1,281

Take private command of Serenity, a luxury sailing catamaran for up to 20 people, with captain Magnus or Adam guiding your six-hour Bay of Islands outing. Sail, help raise the sails, steer, fish, snorkel, paddleboard, hike to a viewpoint, or relax on an island beach. Lodge pickup may be arranged.

“This sailing charter was a huge highlight of our trip. Magnus and Adam were great and even though we had some cloudy weather .. we saw the whole Bay, penguins , dolphins and tons of birds . Even caught a fish and chef Adam made Read more”

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15.Private Yacht Charter and Island Excursions in the Bay of Islands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews

Spend 5.5 hours aboard Love Machine with Erin and Bruno, sailing from Russell to quiet island anchorages. Choose a shore walk, paddleboarding, snorkeling, or a lazy beach stop. Lunch, coffee, tea, and flexible planning are included, with space for up to eight people.

“Had the most amazing day with Erin, she was great in sorting out an itinerary that worked for us, gave us the most amazing lunch and was fantastic with my kids who adored steering the boat. Can not recommend enough.”

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