The Bay of Islands

The Bay of Islands is a beautiful subtropical maritime playground in the far north of the North Island, a sheltered bay scattered with some 140 islands, secluded coves and clear turquoise waters. A haven for sailing, kayaking, fishing and swimming with dolphins, it is also the cradle of modern New Zealand history, where the Treaty of Waitangi between the Maori and the British Crown was signed in 1840, at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

History

About 700 years ago the Mātaatua canoe was sailed here by Puhi, ancestor of the Ngāpuhi, and Captain Cook gave the bay its English name on 27 November 1769. Whalers came towards the end of the 18th century and missionaries in 1814; Kemp House at Kerikeri is the oldest wooden building still standing in New Zealand, the Stone Store there, begun on 19 April 1832, is the oldest stone building, and Charles Darwin visited in HMS Beagle in December 1835 (Wikipedia, Bay of Islands).

Highlights

• The islands and coves - the scattered islands and secluded beaches.
• The dolphins - the boat trips to see and swim with dolphins.
• The Hole in the Rock - the famous sea arch at Cape Brett.
• The Waitangi Treaty Grounds - the historic birthplace of the nation.

When to go

November to April, the warm subtropical summer, for swimming, sailing and the best weather; the water is warmest in late summer. Dolphin trips run year-round, and the region is one of the warmest in New Zealand.

Practical notes

It is a popular summer holiday spot, so it can be busy in peak season. Swimming with dolphins is subject to regulation to protect them and is not always permitted, so it is never guaranteed. It is a few hours' drive from Auckland. The Waitangi Treaty Grounds add important historical and cultural depth beyond the beaches.

Nearby

The giant kauri trees of the Waipoua Forest and Cape Reinga at the top of the country are within reach.

Key facts