SHORE EXCURSIONS

Cruise through the Bay of Islands, a collection of nearly 150 islands revered for their pristine beaches and dramatic natural beauty. Captain James Cook named the islands during his 1769 exploration of the area and the landscape has changed little since then.

The blanketing forests are still impossibly lush and the turquoise waters remain among the world’s most gorgeous. As you sail on a sleek catamaran past one emerald island after another, you will see landmarks such as the Cape Brett Lighthouse and the famed Hole in the Rock. The constant pounding of the sea carved the iconic hole out of the craggy rock at the end of Motukokako Island, and it is quite the sight.

You will also enjoy a front-row seat to view the Grand Cathedral Cave, a large natural cavern in the island’s coastal cliff. Along the way, the guide will elaborate of the history of the Bay of Islands and the culture of the founding Maoris.

Discover natural wonders, including a cavern filled with glowworms and a forest of mighty Kauri trees that can live 2,000 years and soar more than 150 feet into the air. A short drive brings you to the Kawiti Caves, a wonderland of caverns owned by the descendants of the Maori chieftain Kawiti. While the caves' stalagmites and stalactites are breathtaking, the true highlight is the display of thousands of glowworms illuminating the ceiling from a distance. You'll also notice their unusual, single-string webs hanging from the ceiling to trap small flying insects.

Dive to nearby Kawakawa, New Zealand's only town with a railroad track running down the main street and known for its whimsical public restrooms, designed by an Austrian artist in 1998. They feature cobblestone floors, colorful mosaics and copper handiwork. You’ll have some free time here.

You’ll visit Puketi Forest, which once covered most of the Bay of Islands. Walking along the boardwalk through the now-protected forest reserve, you'll see a number of impressive Kauri trees, a towering species that rivals California's redwoods in height and girth. The boardwalk allows visitors an up-close look at these magnificent trees while protecting their sensitive roots. Heading back to the pier, you'll travel through historical Kerikeri for a photo-stop opposite the Kemp House, New Zealand's oldest building, and the Stone Store, which was constructed in the 1830s.

Enjoy lunch on a leisurely cruise through the beautiful calm waters of Bay of Islands, passing a vineyard, an oyster farm and several historical sites before reaching the port of Russell. Your cruise begins in Waitangi, where in 1840 New Zealand's founding document between the British Crown and the Maori chieftains was signed. It's a fitting point of departure as many of the sites you'll pass in the Bay of Islands have influenced the country's history.

Okiato, also known as Old Russell, was New Zealand's seat of government before it moved to Auckland and then Wellington. Omata, once a favored destination for European immigrants, has now established itself as one of New Zealand's premier wine-growing regions. In the early 19th-century, Kororareka was the largest whaling port in the southern hemisphere and notoriously inhabited by hard-living seamen, deserters and escaped convicts.

As you cruise the coastline, enjoying a traditional New Zealand lunch, you'll learn much about the area's history and how the Bay of Islands has evolved into one of the country's most attractive destinations. Arriving in Russell, you have the option of disembarking the boat to explore on your own, or cruising directly back to the pier in Waitangi. Those who opt to remain in Russell will discover a historical town filled with carefully restored buildings from the mid-19th century. A ferry ticket back to Paihia will be provided for your return to the ship.

Discover New Zealand's historic Maori and European influences during this scenic journey to Kerikeri and Waitangi. You’ll drive to the commercial center of the Bay of Islands and site where one of the earliest missionary stations was established in 1823. Continue on to Kerikeri, where New Zealand missionaries built the first house, Kemp House, and adjacent Stone Store. Today, Kerikeri is now a thriving citrus fruit growing area.

Upon your return to Waitangi, you’ll visit the Waitangi Treaty House. It was here that the Maori chiefs signed over sovereignty of their lands to Queen Victoria of Great Britain in 1840. Most of the timber used to build this house, first lived in by British resident and acting Governor James Busby, was brought over from Sydney and later assembled on site.

Your tour will conclude with a stroll through the beautiful grounds of the Treaty House. Along the way, you’ll see the impressive Maori meeting place and a ceremonial war canoe.

Discover the calm waters of the Waitangi Estuary during this scenic kayaking tour. Join your guide at the wharf and walk to your awaiting kayaks. After receiving your safety instructions, your kayaking adventure begins. You’ll see an abundance of mangrove trees, and their extensive root systems protruding from beneath the water's surface. These unique trees are the lifeblood of this estuary and a favorite breeding ground for many small fish. At the end of the estuary, you’ll arrive at Haruru Falls, which are surrounded on one side by the Waitangi Forest. Although not especially high, the falls are still an impressive sight, especially after a recent rainfall. Light refreshments will be served at a picnic area near the falls before returning to the Waitangi Wharf.