Adventure sports
With little instruction you can view the beautiful Bay of Islands from the air as you perform a tandem freefall skydive at 200kph for 45 seconds www.nzskydive.co.nz or enjoy a bird’s eye view of the area at a more sedate height as you parasail around the bay to get a perspective those on the ground can only imagine.
Tours and cruises
The best way to enjoy the Bay of Islands is to get out on the water. You can choose from a large variety of cruises and tours including Dolphin Discoveries www.dolphinz.co.nz where you can swim with the dolphins, the Dune Rider where you explore ancient Kauri forests before hurtling along Ninety Mile Beach in a dune buggy or check out the huge range of cruises (including overnight) to the world famous Hole in the Rock in the middle of the bay.
Culture
Learn more about New Zealand’s rich and growing culture at the Treaty of Waitangi Night Show at the Waitangi Treaty House (where New Zealand was born as a nation) or paddle a Maori canoe to a replica Maori coastal village with Waka Taiamai Heritage journeys www.taiamaitours.co.nz. The Russell Museum on the site of New Zealand’s first capital city explains the history of the early days in the country’s development.
Do it yourself
There is a massive range of activities you can conduct yourself including hiring a boat, diving in the pristine waters, organising a charter boat for a fishing trip or a personal tour of the Bay’s hidden spots. You can also learn to sail, play golf or have a flutter at the casino.
