WAEWAETOREA ISLAND — A GEM TUCKED AWAY IN THE BAY OF ISLANDS
Date: April 13–14, 2019
Passengers: 14
Skipper: Timo
Weather: Stunning with no swell
Crew: Jake, Lotte, Sable & Celia
Wind: Southerly 25 dying out
Overnight Anchorage: Waewaetorea Channel
Snorkel Spot: Waewaetorea Reef
Island Visit: Stingray Cove
Wildlife: Bottlenose dolphins, Penguins, Stingray, Trevally, School of Jack, Kina
SKIPPER'S REPORT
Together with 14 passengers, we departed Paihia port for the weekend. After everyone settled in their cabins, the crew welcomed guests with a first round of free drinks and popcorn. We cruised towards our overnight anchorage at Waewaetorea Island — one of the hidden gems of the Bay of Islands.
During the night we paddled out in kayaks to the magnificent bioluminescent waters at Waewaetorea Bay. The glistening bioluminescence is one of nature's wonders found in the Bay of Islands — photos can't do it justice; you have to see it yourself.
The next day, after breakfast and a warm-up, we explored more of Waewaetorea Island — up through the lush greenery to the top for a panoramic view of the island among the hundreds of others in the Bay.
The Rock Crew prepared a fresh spread of Kiwi seafood for lunch. While we were enjoying it, we got a surprise visit from 8 Bottlenose Dolphins and a sighting of 2 Kororā (Little Blue Penguins) north of Russell Rock on the way home.