Bay of Islands

The Bay of Islands is a cluster of 144 islands in the subtropical north of New Zealand, scattered across a wide harbour. Ships anchor offshore and tender passengers to either Paihia, a small resort town, or Russell, which was briefly New Zealand's first capital in the 1840s. Russell has a quiet colonial feel with wooden waterfront buildings and the country's oldest surviving church, Christ Church, still carrying musket ball holes from a battle in 1845. The Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where the founding document between the British Crown and Māori chiefs was signed, is a short walk from Paihia. Dolphin-watching tours run daily and often encounter bottlenose dolphins in the bay. The Hole in the Rock boat trip goes out to a natural sea arch at the end of Cape Brett. Fishing charters are popular for marlin and kingfish. The towns are small enough to cover on foot, and ferries connect Paihia and Russell every 15 minutes.