Explore the Bay

The Bay of Islands is laden with bold and wonderful things to do.

Here is a hand-picked selection of our most popular activities Arcadia guests do when with us.
When using the booking links below you are able to access some negotiated discounts for you.
We hope this helps you plan an awesome time while with us.

If you have other interests and want to book other activities please email us at arcadialodge@gmail.com and we will try to do this on your behalf or give you our best advice.

Phantom

Rick & Robin have proudly operated Phantom Sailing excursions for 25 years. They only takeup to 10 guests for a personable experience leaving you with life-long memories. Robin makes the most delicious lunch included in your trip, we can lend you a beach towel for your idyllic island stop. This trip leaves Russell wharf at 10am, returning around 3.30pm.

Book directly on their weblink below and use Arcadia as a coupon code toget a discount,and tell them we are hosting you.

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Discover the Bay / Hole in the Rock

This is the most popular larger boat trips by Explore / Great Sights out to see the Iconic Hole in the Rock in Motukōkako and making a stop at Otahei Bay on Urapukapuka. Here you have about an hour whereto either take an Island walk, relax in the bay or enjoy the Island Café. Durations 4.5 hours leaving from the Russell Wharf at 8.40am.or 2.10pm. Please note these times change due to season, Book on the link below to gain our discount.

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Waitangi

Waitangi Treaty Grounds welcomes you on a journey of discovery into Aotearoa New Zealand’s past, present and future including guided tours, cultural performances, museums, historic sites and breathtaking views. Admission is a 2 day pass including Museum of Waitangi, Guided Tour, Cultural Experience The price of Citizenship Museum and Treaty house. We normally allow about 4 hours.

There is a free shuttle from Paihia Wharf to Waitangi and we can help you naviagte getting there.

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Cape Reigna & Ninety Mile Beach Day Tour

Journey to the very tip of the North Island in our purpose-built coach, travel along the sand-swept shore of Ninety Mile Beach and uncover a region of rich Māori tradition along the way on an unforgettable full-day tour. In Māori tradition, Cape Reinga or Te Rerenga Wairua is the place where spirits depart on their long journey back to the homeland. As you stand beneath the iconic lighthouse, and watch the Tasman Sea and the mighty Pacific Ocean collide far below, you’ll feel the power ofthis special place.

This trip leaves Russell Wharf at 7am on the local ferry to Paihia. This is trip makes several stops and they offer you lunch, It generally returns to Paihia at 5.30pm.

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Salt air

This is the perfect way to put Northland’s stunning scenery into perspective: a helicopter or fixed wing flight and water shuttle trip to Urupukapuka Island; a Discovery flight over the Bay, the Hole in the Rock, Cavalli Islands and Whangaroa Harbour; or an alternative trip to Cape Reinga on a fly-4WD combination tour. Or create your own itinerary.

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R Tucker Thompson

This is the boat where Greg has his 50th Birthday. A beautiful tall sailing ship and great for guest that want a larger sailing boat experience where you can either relax, or you can opt to be hands on and is true awonderful experience exploring some of the Bay of Islands. They offer scones for morning tea, a lunch anchored somewhere idyllic where you can walk around an island or go for a swim and offer a cash bar if you want to relax with a glass of something refreshing

The Tucker leave Russell Wharf at 10am and return about 4pm.

They offer a shorter Sundownder 2 hour trip some days

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Vigilant

Away from the crowds of sightseers, you can steer your own experience by helping the skipper at the helm, hoisting the sails or, if you prefer, just relaxing on deck while you journey from island to island. If you wish, you can swim on one of the beaches, snorkel and kayak or take a tender to shore to beach comb and walk to some great lookouts with panoramic views of the islands.

Use the Coupon Code Arcadia and gain a discount on booking.

Book with discount

Dolphin Explorer

The focus of this trip is to experience thespectacular natural beauty of the Bay of Islands and its abundant wildlife while we cruise the sheltered waters and discover whales, dolphins, seals, birdlife. They estimate seeing marine mammals on 90% on trips. They make a stop at Otahei Baywhere you can walk, soak up the scenery or enjoy the café.

This Trip last for 5 hours and leaves Russell Wharf at 10.10 am.

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Cream Trip

The Cream trip is based on the iconic trip where boats used to drop off mail and supplies to people living

9on the islands. This is a full day cruise around the Bay of Islands that includes the Hole in rock, Cape Brett Peninsular and makes a longer island stop at Otehei Bay to explore Urupukapuka Island.

This trip takes about 7 hours and leaves Russell wharf at 10am.

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