Pompallier Mission and Printery (Pompallier House)

Whether experienced by land, sea, or sky, the bay offers something for everyone. Here are a few ways to spend a day in this subtropical wonderland.

While visiting the Bay of Islands, you have two main home-base options. Choose the thriving tourist center of Paihia as a jumping-off point for most cruises and outdoor activities—or the quaint, quieter seaside village of Russell. Here’s how to make the most of a 3-day stay.

Go cruising, hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, fishing, and dolphin watching, and learn about New Zealand's origins. Here’s how to spend two days in the Bay of Islands.