Bay of Islands
|Pewhairangi
Bay of Islands
|Pewhairangi
Kia ora and welcome to the Bay of Islands! There is something truly special about tendering into this maritime playground, where the deep blue of the Pacific meets a cluster of 144 emerald islands. While many ports feel like a rush to the city centre, arriving here is all about the salt air and the laid-back, subtropical pace of Northland. It is a place where the water is the heart of everything, and you will feel that relaxed coastal energy the moment you step off the ship and onto the wharf at either Paihia or Russell.
To get a real feel for the place, I recommend looking beyond the standard tours and simply soaking in the atmosphere of New Zealand’s earliest European settlements. Whether you are strolling along the waterfront in Paihia or taking the short ferry over to Russell to explore its colourful past as a rowdy frontier town, the vibe is effortlessly calm. Spend your time wandering the historic tracks, visiting the Waitangi Treaty Grounds to understand our national story, or finding a quiet spot by the harbour to watch the boats go by. It is a beautiful, unhurried corner of the world that perfectly captures the soul of our coastline.
Where the ship docks
In the Bay of Islands, you will not walk straight off your ship; instead, you will catch a tender boat as cruise ships anchor in the deep water of the bay. Most tender boats arrive at the Waitangi Wharf, located near the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds, though some ships may occasionally tender passengers directly to the township of Russell or the main pier in Paihia.
The Waitangi Wharf is a basic functional landing point rather than a traditional cruise terminal building. Facilities at the wharf area typically include a sheltered waiting space, basic restrooms, and a visitor information booth where local volunteers provide maps and advice. On cruise days, you will often find a local market set up nearby with stalls selling crafts and souvenirs, as well as a shuttle bus stop for the short transfer into the main town of Paihia.
On This Page
What's around the port
As the Bay of Islands is an anchorage port, you will arrive via a ship’s tender, typically at Waitangi Wharf. Occasionally tenders run to Paihia wharf. If you land at Paihia, you step directly onto a scenic waterfront promenade in the heart of the village. Within a 5 to 10-minute walk, you have immediate access to the main beach, a variety of seaside cafes, boutique shops, and the information centre. The area is completely open and pedestrian-friendly, with the primary transport hub for local ferries to Russell located right at the end of the pier.
If your tender arrives at the Waitangi Wharf, you will step off into a more park-like setting near the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Within 10 minutes, you can reach the entrance of the Treaty Grounds or start the scenic coastal 20 minute walk toward Paihia. Most cruise lines provide a short shuttle bus which run on a circuit between three locations: Waitangi Wharf, Paihia Township and Waitangi Treaty Grounds approximately every 20 minutes for the duration of the port call. The shuttles are free of charge.
Getting around
Walkability: Once you disembark the tender, both Paihia and Russell are very walkable with flat, easy-to-navigate waterfronts. Most shops, cafes, and historic sites are concentrated near the wharves, though walking to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds from Paihia is a scenic 25-minute flat stroll.
Public Transport: There is no formal public bus network or local transit card system in the Bay of Islands. The primary mode of transport between towns is the passenger ferry connecting Paihia and Russell, which runs frequently; you can purchase tickets using cash or credit card at the wharf or on board.
Taxis/Rideshare: Taxis are available but limited in number, so it is best to book ahead if you require a specific pickup time. Rideshare services like Uber do not currently operate in the region, so you will need to rely on local taxi companies or pre-arranged tour shuttles to travel further afield.
Practical Information
You must complete the digital New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) before your ship arrives at its first New Zealand port; this includes specific biosecurity questions regarding food, plants, and outdoor equipment.
Strict biosecurity laws prohibit taking any fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, honey, or prepared meals (including sandwiches) off the ship; failure to comply or declare items can result in an instant $400 NZD fine.
Tipping is not expected or required in New Zealand as workers earn a fair minimum wage; however, a 10% tip is a generous gesture for exceptional service in restaurants or for tour guides.
The Bay of Islands is a tender port where you will arrive by boat to either Paihia or Russell; there is no local transit card required for these small walkable towns, and most services can be paid for with a contactless credit card or cash.
Top Sights & Attractions
- The Must-Dos
- Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, New Zealand’s most significant historic site, to see the carved Meeting House, ceremonial war canoe, and enjoy a cultural performance.
- Take the passenger ferry from Paihia to Russell, the first permanent European settlement and sea port in New Zealand, to explore its charming strand and historic buildings.
- Join a high-speed boat tour or catamaran from the Paihia wharf to search for bottlenose dolphins and sail through the iconic Hole in the Rock at Motukokako Island.
- Best Free/Low-Cost Activity
- Walk the scenic coastal track from Paihia to Waitangi or take the 1.5-hour return hike to the Waitangi Mountain Bike Park lookout for panoramic views of the bay.
- Visit Christ Church in Russell, New Zealand’s oldest surviving church, where you can still see musket ball holes in the timber from the 1845 Battle of Kororareka.
- Take a refreshing dip at Paihia Beach or Te Ti Bay, both of which are easily accessible on foot from the tender pier and offer safe swimming in clear waters.
- Local Hidden Gem
- Hike up Flagstaff Hill (Maiki Hill) in Russell for incredible 360-degree views; it is the famous site where the Maori chief Hone Heke repeatedly cut down the British flagpole.
- Follow the Haruru Falls walking track to see the impressive horseshoe-shaped waterfall, a spot often missed by those staying strictly within the main township.
- Enjoy a locally brewed craft beer or fresh green-lipped mussels at a quiet table behind the Duke of Marlborough Hotel, soaking in the heritage atmosphere away from the main tour groups.
Essentials & Amenities
Free Wi-Fi is available immediately upon arrival at the Waitangi Wharf, where tender boats from the cruise ships dock. For those heading into town, the Far North District Council provides free community Wi-Fi in both Paihia and Russell. In Paihia, passengers can access reliable free Wi-Fi at the Paihia Public Library (outside the building) or at the Paihia Maritime Building near the wharf. In Russell, free public Wi-Fi is available at the library and various locations along the waterfront. Additionally, many local cafes, restaurants, and the i-SITE Visitor Centres in the area offer free Wi-Fi access for customers.
For passengers tendering to Paihia, the closest pharmacy is Paihia Pharmacy, located on Williams Road directly opposite the wharf (1-minute walk). For groceries, Four Square Paihia is also on Williams Road, just a 2-minute walk from the tender pier. A larger supermarket, Woolworths Waitangi, is approximately a 15-20 minute flat walk or a 3-minute taxi ride from the Paihia wharf.
If your tender arrives at Russell, the closest option for essentials is the Russell Health Spot Pharmacy Depot on York Street (2-minute walk). For groceries, the Four Square Russell is located on Cass Street, roughly a 3-minute walk from the Russell wharf.