[StinkiePhish]

If you’re itching to do something crazy like a skydive in New Zealand, then the Bay of Islands is an awesome place to do it. When the weather is good, you get the best drop zone in the country right on the beach! There are three heart-thumping heights to choose from with Skydive Bay of Islands and great photo packages if you want to capture the action. Check them out on Viator and Tripadvisor. Plus, o check out more skydives around New Zealand, take a look at 12 Places to Tandem Skydive in New Zealand. Admit it, this will go straight onto your todo list of the Bay of Islands activities. here

[Margaret Stukel]

Starting off our list of the best things to do in the Bay of Islands is hitting the water. Paihia Wharf is the starting point for many adventures out on the water. How you want to explore the islands is just a matter of choosing. Speed off into the distance on a trip to the famous Hole in the Rock, take it easy on a sailing trip, or even join a dolphin-watching cruise. Whatever you choose, you’ll get to see and even stop off at some of the 144 islands dotted around the bay, look out for marine mammals, and take in the glorious views of the islands. See more experiences like this in the 8 Luxury Activities in the Bay of Islands.

[Alex8844]

Location: Waitangi Mountain Bike Park, 33 Bayly Road, Waitangi. Ask bike operators, like Paihia Mountain Bikes, about transport to or from the Twin Coast Cycle Trail. Find out more on Viator and Tripadvisor.

[Unthinkingbit]

Location: Tau Henare Drive, Waitangi

[VServer]

Location: Start the walk from the Waitangi Treaty Grounds or find kayaking operators at the mouth of the Waitangi River, including Bay of Islands Cruise & Kayak (more in on Viator and Tripadvisor), Coastal Kayakers (on Viator and Tripadvisor) and Bay of Islands Kayaking (on Viator and Tripadvisor). [links]

[jimmy]

Tucked away toward the top of New Zealand’s beautiful North Island, the Bay of Islands are the gateway to some of the country’s most impressive coastal terrain. At the end of the 141-mile (227-kilometer) drive north from Auckland to Paihia, the islands loom into view, giving visitors their first glimpse of the spectacular scenery that awaits. The farther north you go, the prettier the vistas become. A full experience involves delving deep into the landscape, and tours can help you do just that, whether you want to charge into a rainforest, take to the sea in a boat or kayak, or soar above the islands on a parasail flight. Trekking through the Puketi Rainforest—home to a diverse range of native plant and animal life—is even better with a guide, who can point out the different species of flora and fauna. Take a scenic flight over rugged Cape Reinga, or watch the waves for dolphins on a sightseeing boat cruise. If your time is limited, a private Bay of Islands Tour can help you hit the region's highlights, combining activities such as wine tasting with sites like the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where British colonists and Maori chiefs signed the Waitangi Treaty in 1840. here

[NonEntity]

[crazylady552]

[Light]

[HopeFlynn7x]

[links]

[DELTA9]

It's a common sight to see various parts of the Bay of Islands dotted with sail boats both operated by tour companies as well as by private owners enjoying the lovely surroundings, and there are also charter options for visitors to sail themselves with tuition available for those who need a hand learning the art of sail. While the Bay of Islands' more open areas can sometimes be exposed to winds from the East and North, there are plenty of more sheltered harbour areas, coves and inlets to explore each with their own charming little discoveries to be made in what is on the whole quite a compact body of water to navigate. The Bay's four main islands offer plenty of shore-based exploration opportunities, with some showcasing nature while others provide a more historic emphasis. [links]

[Guybrush01]

" Taking the longer walk to the falls is highly recommended, as you'll follow the course of the river and be exposed to some scenic examples of New Zealand's north island nature along the way, with the songs of birds combining with the running water to make for a truly tranquil atmosphere. "

[teff]

Taking a guided tour while there is highly recommended, as the guides are renowned for taking things one step further and providing solid, detailed explanations of everything on site while also responding well to any questions you may have on the grounds' history or any specific items of significance. As one of the true locations in the country that encapsulates everything “New Zealand” is all about, the Waitingi Treaty Grounds should be an inclusion on your NZ travel itinerary whether you're specifically planning to visit the Bay of Islands or travelling more generally.

[kat]

" Often said to be one of life's true “bucket list” items, swimming with dolphins can provide you with a whole new perspective on how these delightful ocean dwellers behave; to see them in their own habitat free and unrestricted by glass is truly something else. " here

[marcelus23]

" Sailing plays a large part of New Zealand's culture in general, and there are few more “NZ” experiences then enjoying a sail through such a scenic part of the country. " [links]

[spa]

While not technically "in" the Bay of Islands, Cape Reinga is a popular day trip area on the mainland several hours' drive north of the Bay of Islands renowned for its vast, untouched level of beauty blending expansive and pristine beach, with stretches of lush Puketi kauri forest and regional architectural highlights into a single comprehensive sightseeing destination. The Cape is situated in a location where both the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet and produce some interesting wave patterns, with the vivid blues of both contrasting beautifully with the vibrant greenery of the land that sits just alongside it. It's in this way that Cape Reinga stands out; the area blends rolling Northland-style rural countryside with thick forest, ruggedly beautiful coastline and views of the ocean in postcard-worthy fashion. more

[talkinrock]

If you do nothing else in the Bay of Islands, you should at least take the ferry from Paihia to Russell. The journey is a quick 15 minutes and provides great views of the Bay of Islands from the water. Russell is also the loveliest little town in the area. It is full of history and charming old architecture and is quite a contrast to busier Paihia, with its glut of hotels and tour offices.

[brigitte2378sack]

When nature calls, answer it at what are probably New Zealand's most famous public restrooms, in Kawakawa. The otherwise nondescript Bay of Islands town of Kawakawa was home to Austria-born Kiwi artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser (1928-2000) in the last years of his life. In 1998, Kawakawa was looking to improve the public toilet facilities in the middle of town, and Hundertwasser designed what exists there now: a kaleidoscopic medley of arches, curves, columns, ceramics, mosaic tiles, and repurposed glass bottles. It's the most whimsical public restroom you'll ever see.

[Ben Walsh (beamer)]

Waitangi is one of the most important places in New Zealand history. It's where, in 1840, Maori chiefs signed an agreement with representatives of the British crown, ceding sovereignty of their land. The Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi) is the founding document of modern New Zealand. At the Treaty Grounds at Waitangi, visitors can learn about Northland and New Zealand history, get a better understanding of the Treaty and issues that continue to surround it today, see where the Treaty was signed, visit the marae (Maori meeting house), check out a ceremonial waka that's taken out onto the sea during important occasions (such as the annual Waitangi Day, on Feb. 6), and more. This is a place that every tourist in New Zealand should visit.