Bay of Islands

Where ships dock

Tender to Waitangi Wharf, then a free shuttle to Paihia; ferry from Paihia to Russell.

• Waitangi tender pontoon (the designated passenger landing)
• Paihia tender berth (used mainly when two ships are in the bay)
• Russell tender berth (limited capacity)

Best time to go

Far North Holdings lists 44 cruise ships on the 2026/27 schedule, with more than 100,000 passengers expected. Vessel numbers are forecast to rise from the 2028/29 season. Fullers' Cream Trip is listed as running October to April.

The Paihia–Russell ferry's summer timetable runs September 25 to May 9, and the Waitangi van shuttle from Paihia runs October 1 to April 26 (Waitangi's shore-excursion page; its visit page says April 30). Check seasonal hours before you plan a long day; guided tour times at the Treaty Grounds change through the year.

How far from the pier

One way. Short call OK means 20 minutes or less.

• Waitangi Wharf to Paihia (2023 pack: town 5 min away)Bus5 min
• Paihia to Russell passenger ferryFerry15 min
• Tender, anchorage to Waitangi (2023 harbourmaster pack)Ferry20 min

Ship tour or go independent?

Bay of Islands is a tender port, so the ship's own tours are a tidy choice if you would rather leave the timing to the cruise line. Booking your own tour gives you more choice and smaller groups, and lets you set your own pace. Waitangi, Paihia and the boat cruises are all close to the landing. Browse the tours below and use the time-ashore filter to find one that fits your call.

• Ships anchor in the bay and passengers go ashore by tender. Allow time for the ride in, which the harbourmaster's pack (2023 edition) puts at about 20 minutes from the anchorage to Waitangi, and for lines when everyone is going back.
• Strong wind can affect tendering. The 2023 harbourmaster's pack says sustained winds above 35 knots make tendering precarious, and a sustained forecast above 40 knots means the call must be cancelled, so keep your plans flexible.
• Your ship's tender landing is assigned by the harbourmaster. Waitangi is the designated landing; Paihia or Russell are used mainly when two ships are in the bay.
• Pick a boat tour with a margin. Passing through the Hole in the Rock depends on sea conditions, and the skipper decides on the day.

Getting around

Rideshare limited

• FerryShips anchor in the bay and tender passengers to Waitangi Wharf, which sits on the Treaty Grounds. Tender boats for ship excursions land there too. Some ships may also use Paihia or Russell, depending on what the harbourmaster assigns.
• ShuttleFreeA free shuttle runs between Waitangi Wharf, Paihia and the Treaty Grounds, about every 20 minutes for the length of the port call. A free van also runs between the Maritime Building in Paihia and the Grounds from October 1 to April 26, with departures at 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30.
• WalkFrom Waitangi Wharf to the Treaty Grounds is about a 5-minute walk. Waitangi describes the Grounds as 2 km from Paihia, a 25-minute walk. At Russell, the tender pier is 50 m from town.
• FerryAdult $19.40 returnThe Paihia–Russell passenger ferry takes about 15 minutes and runs roughly hourly, with a few times that differ by direction. Tickets are sold at the boat. The operator's page lists the summer timetable, September 25 to May 9, and shows a $ sign without naming the currency. Three passenger ferry services run between Paihia and Russell.

  Adult, return

  $19.40

  Child 5–14, return

  $10.80

  Infant 0–4

  Free

  Family, 2 adults + 3 kids

  $42.80

• TaxiTaxis wait in the Paihia maritime precinct. Not all take cards, so ask before you get in. No fares are published.

No official source describes rideshare here. Taxis are in the maritime precinct in Paihia; ask whether they take cards.

Money, tipping & phones

Money

The New Zealand dollar (NZD). Major credit cards are widely accepted, mostly Visa and Mastercard. A 15% goods and services tax is already in the displayed price.

Tipping

Tipping is not required, even in restaurants and bars. You can leave a tip for good service if you like. Restaurants and hotels do not add service charges.

Must-sees

• Waitangi Treaty GroundsWalkableWhere Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed. The grounds hold the Treaty House, the Te Whare Rūnanga meeting house, a ceremonial waka and two museums. Allow 2 to 3 hours. Waitangi puts the walk from the wharf to the Grounds at about 5 minutes.
• Hole in the Rock (Motukōkako) cruiseRide neededThe Hole in the Rock is at Motukōkako (Piercy Island). Explore's cruise from Paihia is listed at 4.5 hours, adult (16+) $215, child (5–15) $107.50, with an island stop at Otehei Bay. Fullers' Cream Trip is 7 hours, adult from $225. Both sites show a $ sign without naming the currency. Passing through the arch depends on sea conditions.
• RussellRide neededA small town behind Tāpeka Point. It was the site of the country's first capital and has the oldest licensed premises in the country, boutique stores and the Pompallier mission house, built of rammed earth. Reach it by the Paihia ferry; some ships tender to Russell for independent travelers, where the pier is 50 m from town.
• Kerikeri Mission StationRide neededHome of the Stone Store, described as the country's oldest surviving stone building, and Kemp House, completed in 1822. Open daily, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. November to April and to 4 p.m. May to October. Kemp House is by guided tour only. No source gives a travel time from Paihia.
• Cape BrettRide neededThe Cape Brett Track is 16 km, rated advanced, with the first 10 km on private land that needs a walkway permit. DOC says it takes 8 hours one way, so it is not a cruise-day walk. See the cape by boat on a Hole in the Rock cruise or a faster speedboat trip.

Free & cheap near the pier

• Shuttle between Waitangi and PaihiaFreeA free shuttle links Waitangi Wharf, Paihia and the Treaty Grounds for the length of the port call, about every 20 minutes.
• Waitangi Treaty Grounds for childrenChild free; intl adult $78Children 0–12 enter free with a parent or caregiver. International adult admission is $78 and international youth 13–17 is $39 (rates from October 1, 2026); New Zealand residents with ID pay $39 adult and $19.50 youth. The page shows a $ sign without naming the currency. It covers a 50-minute guided tour, a 30-minute cultural experience and two museums, and is valid for two consecutive days.
• Stone Store shop, KerikeriFree (shop)The shop at the Kerikeri Mission Station has free entry. Kemp House can only be seen on a guided tour. Kerikeri is a longer trip from the landing, and no source gives a time from Paihia.
• Browse Paihia and RussellBoth are small enough to explore on foot. Russell was the country's first capital and has boutique stores.

Eat like a local

• Waterfront meals in Paihia and RussellNorthland Inc. points to over-the-water eateries and historic hotels and restaurants around Paihia and Russell.
• Island lunch at Otehei BayExplore's Hole in the Rock cruise includes a buffet lunch at Otehei Bay, subject to minimum numbers, with a voucher for a main meal at the café if it is not served. Fullers' Cream Trip does not include lunch; food and drinks are sold at the Otehei Bay bar and café.
• Kerikeri markets, wineries and fruit stallsKerikeri is known for its wineries, citrus and kiwifruit, and roadside stalls. The Old Packhouse Markets run on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Rainy-day backups

• Waitangi museumsTe Kōngahu Museum of Waitangi and Te Rau Aroha Museum of the Price of Citizenship are included with admission. Opening hours are 9 a.m.–5 p.m. from March 1 to December 24 and 9 a.m.–6 p.m. from December 26 to February 28. The Grounds are closed December 25, and buildings are closed to the public on Waitangi Day, February 6.
• Guided tour and cultural performanceThe 50-minute guided tour and the 30-minute cultural performance at Waitangi; the schedule varies by season, so check the hours page.
• Shopping and galleriesRussell has boutique stores, and Kerikeri has art and craft galleries.
• Stone Store museum, KerikeriAn interactive museum in the Stone Store, open daily from 10 a.m. (to 4 p.m. May to October, 5 p.m. November to April). Kemp House is guided tours only.

Safety & scams

Official advisoryUS State Dept: Level 1 — Exercise normal precautions (advisory issued April 29, 2026; page last updated May 7, 2026)

• Crime is low overall, but theft from cars, campervans and hostels is common in tourist areas. Keep passports and valuables with you or on the ship.
• Scams exist, including false text messages claiming you owe fines.
• Heavy rain, earthquakes, volcanic activity and severe coastal weather can occur. Check MetService and the National Emergency Management Agency.
• Traffic drives on the left, and road accidents are a leading cause of serious injury among US visitors. Rural roads are often narrow and winding.
• Dial 111 for police, fire or an ambulance. Dial 105 for non-emergency police.
• Wind can disrupt tendering. Per the 2023 harbourmaster's pack, strong winds in the bay can make tender operations difficult, and a sustained forecast above 40 knots means the call must be cancelled.

From official government and port sources. Check the latest advisory before you travel.

Accessibility

At the pier

There is no pier for ships. Ships anchor in the bay and passengers ride a tender, then land at the Waitangi pontoon. It is built for tenders about 27 m long, with a float height of 0.9 m. No source describes tender boarding for wheelchairs, so ask your cruise line.

Tender

Plan for the tender to Waitangi Wharf, a ride of about 20 minutes from the anchorage per the 2023 harbourmaster's pack. Ask your ship what help is offered with boarding. Sea state and wind can affect tendering.

• At Waitangi, the Treaty Grounds publish a map and ask visitors with access needs to call the team; no accessibility details are given on the page I could read.
• At Kerikeri's Stone Store and Kemp House, there is no wheelchair access to either building.
• Accessible parking is in the main car park closest to the Treaty Grounds entrance. Wheelchairs are available from the car park, and Waitangi asks that you raise access needs when booking.