Under sail · ISLAND HOPPING SAILING TRIPS IN NEW ZEALAND

Top 5 Island Hopping Sailing Trips in New Zealand

5 sailing trips  ·  seats from $107 each

The good island hopping sailing trips in New Zealand fill their decks early in the season. Here are the 5 to book first, what each includes and how they differ.

Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sailing on R. Tucker Thompson Including BBQ Lunch - Morning tea with fresh scones
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Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sailing on R. Tucker Thompson Including BBQ Lunch

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 361 reviews · from $111Top of the fleet

Spend 5.5 hours aboard the working schooner R. Tucker Thompson, sailing from Russell through the Bay of Islands. Help with ropes, steer the ship, climb the rigging, swim from the boat, and visit an island viewpoint. Morning tea, scones, chicken BBQ lunch, and optional Paihia to Russell ferry transport are included.

“A fantastic experience. Our son loved the wild weather, the ability to help on the boat and the crew where incredibly. Highly recommend for everyone.”

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Phantom Sailing Bay of Islands - Leaving Russell for the Bay of Islands
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Phantom Sailing Bay of Islands

2.Phantom Sailing Bay of Islands

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

Spend about 5.5 hours aboard the Phantom, a live-aboard yacht run by sailors Rick and Robin. With no more than 10 people on board, you can sail through the Bay of Islands, stop for a beach walk and viewpoint, swim or snorkel, enjoy a homemade lunch, and hear local stories from Russell back to Russell.

“A very relaxed day in the sunshine on Phantom with Rick and Robyn. Great hosts, good fun, delicious lunch on deck. Enjoyed the swim to shore and walk up to the viewpoint. A wonderful day…..”

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Bay of Islands: Catamaran Sail, Wildlife Island & Lunch - Wildlife across the Bay of Islands
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Bay of Islands: Catamaran Sail, Wildlife Island & Lunch

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

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

Join Barefoot Sailing Adventures in Paihia for six hours aboard a comfortable catamaran. Skippers such as Luke share local wildlife stories while you sail among 144 islands, help at the helm, then spend two hours on a sanctuary island with lunch, hiking, snorkeling, swimming and paddleboarding.

“Thoroughly enjoyable day thank you; sailing, snorkelling and walking were great; Luke was engaging and interesting; communication about the booking was straightforward”

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Bay of Islands: Full-Day Tall Ship Sailing Excursion - What the morning feels like on deck
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Bay of Islands: Full-Day Tall Ship Sailing Excursion

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

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

Spend about five and a half hours aboard the locally built R. Tucker Thompson, sailing from Russell through the Bay of Islands. Help raise sails, take the helm, climb the rigging, swim from the ship, or relax with scones and tea. A BBQ lunch, ferry from Paihia, and support for youth sail training are included.

“We had a beautiful day sailing. The crew were very helpful, great to talk to and happy to pass on their knowledge. Our walk to Cooks lookout at our lunch stop was scenic and very interesting. Climbing the mast was a highlight for two of our group, adventurous husbands.”

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Bay of Islands: Day Sailing Cruise with Island Stop & Lunch - Two hours of sailing through the Bay of Islands
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Bay of Islands: Day Sailing Cruise with Island Stop & Lunch

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

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

Join Brad and Monique aboard the Bayscapes catamaran from Paihia for six hours around the Bay of Islands. Sail when the wind allows, stop at a quiet island for swimming, snorkelling, paddleboarding, and a short walk, then enjoy a catered lunch onboard. The smaller group, beanbags, blankets, and spotless facilities make this a relaxed day on the water.

“it was one of the best experiences in NZ. We really appreciated the whole day. and the crew was amazing. trully dedicated to what they do. it was a pleasure sailing with them”

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Other ways to get on the water

Sunset Sailing CruisesCatamaran Sailing TripsSailing and Snorkeling TripsPrivate Sailing ChartersIsland Hopping Sailing TripsTall Ship and Schooner Sailing
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