The 10 Best Island Hopping Sailing Trips in New Zealand

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

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

Sail the Bay of Islands aboard the R. Tucker Thompson with scones, BBQ lunch, island stops, rope swings, and hands-on tall-ship fun.

“The day was perfect. I have mobility issues and from the first moment, the crew were there to help; willingly and graciously. Our crew, led by captain Magnus were super friendly, interactive (my husband helped sail) and above all fun! Fresh-baked scones with ham and whipped cream were served with coffee and tea. Followed by a stop at an island to swim and explore. Lunch of BBQ chicken, salad, fresh breads and butter, potato salad were waiting for us back on board. The sailing ship was a beautiful adventure and each of our 4 said it was beyond expectations, which were high! Don’t miss this…such value for your money and…”

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

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

Review of Barefoot Sailing Adventures’ six-hour Bay of Islands cruise, with sailing, wildlife sanctuary walks, snorkeling, lunch, and practical tips.

“Bring clothes you can get wet and clothes to keep you dry. You are given the opportunity to snorkel, paddle board, hike, or just enjoy the day on the beach. I chose to hike and paddleboard, had a blast doing both.”

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3.Phantom Sailing Bay of Islands

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

Review of Phantom Sailing in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands, with a small group, island walk, snorkeling, homemade lunch, and dolphin sightings.

“Highlight of our trip! Beautiful weather, great meal and made each guest feel like a personal guest. A must do!”

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

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

Review of a six-hour Bay of Islands catamaran sail with island wildlife, snorkeling, lunch, local guides, and practical booking tips.

“Great experience! Welcomed by our friendly guide Luke. Offered us a warm beverage and shared some information about the culture and wildlife on the Islands. Sailing gave that relaxation experience with options of activities to do in the Island. We enjoyed a packed lunch and a few snacks in our own personalised bags. Two thumbs up for this experience”

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

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

Sail the Bay of Islands aboard the R. Tucker Thompson, with hands-on sailing, cream tea, BBQ lunch, swimming, and island views.

“Lovely friendly atmosphere and lots of fun. The surroundings in the Bay are truly beautiful and onboard activities great. Definitely in our top 3 experiences in Auckland/North North Island area.”

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

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

Sail from Paihia on a small-group Bay of Islands catamaran cruise with island walks, swimming, paddleboarding, snorkelling, and lunch.

“The guides were awesome. The catamaran was beautiful and we saw dolphins!”

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

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

Sail the Bay of Islands aboard Gungha II, with island walks, snorkeling, fresh lunch, wildlife, and six relaxed hours on the water.

“Really nice and huge Sailingship. Nice Crew, they take ver good care about there clients. Great Way to discover the bay of islands. I really enjoed the trip.”

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8.Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sundowner Sailing

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

Review of the R. Tucker Thompson sundowner sail in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands, with ferry details, food, cost, accessibility, and practical tips.

“Fabulous experience from start to finish. My husband got to play a small role in the sail and also a chance to climb the mast. A fantastic experience”

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9.Bay of Islands: Late Afternoon Sailing Cruise

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

Sail the Bay of Islands aboard the R. Tucker Thompson, help with the rigging, enjoy antipasto, and support youth sailing programs.

“An absolutely amazing sail out onto the Bay of Islands, leaving from Russell. Lived watching the saile being unfurled and when the sails went from side to side while tacking. An experience of a lifetime.”

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

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

Review the Bay of Islands 2-hour sundowner sail from Paihia, with sunset views, a swim stop, friendly crew, and practical tips.

“Our skipper and his first mate were helpful and fun. Safety was a priority, so first they ran thru all the safety features...then the fun began. Double hulled boat was in Ship shape. Our skipper kept us all engaged while professionally tending to his responsibilities. He was full of information on the area. The two hours went very quickly. It was a wonderful way to spend time on the water...and the price was very reasonable for the experience we got.”

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