Wonderful Overnight Cruise Experience in Bay of Islands New Zealand
With the sky above our heads and sand beneath our feet, life is good.
22 hours worth of fun at The Bay of Islands
Date: March 5, 2019
Passengers: 16
Skipper: Timo
Weather: SE tending East 10-20
Crew: Austin, Lotte & Joelle
Wind: Cloudy with odd shower breaking up into blue sky
Overnight Anchorage: Pareanui Bay
Snorkel Spot: Stingray Cove
Island Visit: Roberton Island
Wildlife: Stingray, Dolphin, Fantail, Snapper
New Zealand has easily become a favourite tourist destination for its wide range of fascinating sights and activities. For those seeking a more tropical vibe in Northern New Zealand, you may take a three-hour drive from Auckland going to Paihia, the gateway to Bay of Islands.
The usual opening activity is Target Shooting, where everyone gets a chance to do introductions while trying the odds on winning a free drink. For this overnight cruise, we hosted guests from all over the world. The afternoon was well spent swimming at the Twin Lagoon Bay. We settled afterwards at Pareanui Bay for overnight accommodations. The crew took guests for night kayaking to witness the beauty of the bioluminescent algae — one of the most breathtaking experiences for all.
The coast along Stingray Cove was perfectly clear for snorkelling. Various fish were spotted underwater, including a stingray on the ocean floor.
After snorkelling, guests relaxed as we cruised towards Waewaetoria Island. The crew caught a Blue Mau Mau, thinly sliced and prepared with wasabi. Guests wandered around Waewaetoria Island and enjoyed mountaintop views. On the way back to Paihia, guests were introduced to fresh Kina — a first for most.
Overall: an action-packed 22-hour cruise with wonderful people.
Video Credit: Arthur Maclean
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Source: Rock the Boat NZ | rocktheboat.co.nz