The Bay of Islands is a sheltered, island-dotted bay in Northland, at the top of New Zealand's North Island. More about Bay of Islands →
October 2026 · from today · all times local (New Zealand Time)
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Thousands of people in port, guests plus crew. Crowd level compared with a typical Bay of Islands day.
The crowd calendar shows every ship and how busy the port is, hour by hour, plus the quietest and busiest days for the next 90 days.
There is no cruise berth: ships anchor in the bay and tender passengers ashore, usually to the Waitangi pontoon; on busier days Paihia Wharf or Russell Wharf may be used instead. From Waitangi, free shuttles run to Paihia, about 5 minutes away, stopping at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, and you can also walk the waterfront to Paihia.
2.3 km · ~31 min by car
Paihia, the hub of Bay of Islands activities, is a 2.3 km walk (31 min) round the waterfront from the Waitangi pontoon; the free shuttle covers it in about 5 minutes.
Typical prices, approximate. Fares change with demand, traffic and time of day.
Typical prices, approximate. Fares change with demand, traffic and time of day.
Ships anchor in the bay and tender passengers ashore, usually to the Waitangi pontoon; on busier days Paihia Wharf or Russell Wharf may be used instead. From Waitangi, free shuttles run to Paihia, about 5 minutes away, stopping at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, and you can also walk the waterfront. From Paihia Wharf a passenger ferry crosses to Russell in about 15 minutes (adult return NZD 19.40).
The Bay of Islands is a sheltered, island-dotted bay in Northland, at the top of New Zealand's North Island. Ships anchor in the bay and tenders usually land at Waitangi, a short walk from the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the historic site where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed and now home to two museums, and free shuttles run to Paihia, the hub of Bay of Islands activities. A 15-minute ferry from Paihia crosses to historic Russell and Pompallier Mission, while Haruru Falls and the Stone Store at Kerikeri are an easy drive inland.
New Zealand's most important historic site, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. Admission (international adult NZD 78, under-12s free with a paying adult) is valid for two consecutive days and includes a 50-minute guided tour, a 30-minute Maori cultural performance, the heritage buildings and the world's largest ceremonial waka, plus two museums.
Take the 15-minute ferry from Paihia to Russell (Kororareka) for Pompallier Mission and Printery on the waterfront, once the hub of the Catholic mission and New Zealand's oldest existing industrial building, with a restored printing press. Guided tour NZD 20, garden and museum visit NZD 10.
Horseshoe-shaped falls on the Waitangi River about 5 km from Paihia. The easy Haruru Falls track, about 6 km and 2.5 hours one way, runs from the Treaty Grounds through mangrove forest on a boardwalk; the road back has no footpath, so plan a return.
An early mission station with the Stone Store and Kemp House, New Zealand's oldest surviving building, plus the country's oldest European garden. Adult guided tour NZD 20.