4 Island Hopping Sailing Trips in New Zealand Worth Booking

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 R. Tucker Thompson, a working replica schooner sailing from Russell through the Bay of Islands. Help with the ropes, steer the ship, climb the rigging, swim or walk on an island, and enjoy scones, tea, and a chicken BBQ lunch. Skipper Magnus and the crew keep the day active but relaxed.

“The crew all have a passion for sailing and the commercial sailing supports their youth development program”

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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 the Bay of Islands with Barefoot Sailing Adventures. Luke and crew take you among the islands, then stop for two hours at a wildlife sanctuary for snorkeling, paddleboarding, swimming, lunch, and bush walks. Groups are limited to 20 people.

“Our ship was diverted because of an incoming weather system, and the Bay of Islands stop was cancelled. We had no way to reach the meeting point for this excursion. The operator chose not to refund the booking even though the port wRead more”

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

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

Join Nat, Anita, Dallas, or Nick aboard Vigilant for a five-and-a-half-hour sailing trip from Russell. Help with the sails, stop at an island for swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, or a walk, then enjoy lunch, hot drinks, and local commentary. The group is limited to 10 people.

“Excellent, crew friendly and informative, really nice boat and we were lucky enough to see dolphins on the return leg to Russell.”

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4.Phantom Sailing Bay of Islands

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

Join sailing couple Rick and Robin aboard the Phantom for about 5.5 hours around the Bay of Islands. With no more than 10 people, you can help at the helm, hear local sea stories, stop for a swim or snorkel, walk to a lookout, and enjoy a homemade lunch on deck.

“We had a wonderful sail with Rick and Robyn on the Phantom. They are extremely experienced sailors, who display that sort of easy confidence coming from years at sea, always alert to conditions all around. Passenger safety was their paraRead more”

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