Great Sights Tours - Overnight Cruise

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This overnight cruise through the historic Bay of Islands is a unique journey into the youngest country on earth. The Bay of Islands is the nexus of New Zealand for Maori and Pakeha alike. This two day cruise will showcase the past and the present of New Zealand's finest sub tropical and maritime destination.

The Bay of Islands

The Bay of Islands is a stunning region consisting of 144 islands, abundant in natural wonder and marine life. With some of the warmest waters in New Zealand, the Bay of Islands is a natural wonderland where you can encounter bottlenose and common dolphins, whales, seals, penguins and a diverse range of birdlife

The first European to visit the area was Captain Cook, who named the region in 1769. The Bay of Islands was the first area in New Zealand to be settled by Europeans. Whalers arrived towards the end of the 18th century, while the first missionaries settled in 1814.

The bay has many interesting historic towns including Paihia, Russell, Waitangi and Kerikeri. Russell, formerly known as Kororareka, was the first permanent European settlement in New Zealand, and dates from the early 1800s. Kerikeri contains many historic sites from the earliest European colonial settlement in the country. These include the Mission House, also called Kemp House, which is the oldest wooden structure still standing in New Zealand. The Stone Store, a former storehouse, is the oldest stone building in New Zealand, construction having begun on 19 April 1832.