Gungha II Day Sail, Island Stop

Bay of Islands: Awesome Day Sailing Tour with Island Stop

★ 5.0 121 reviews

from $110 per person

Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Duration: 6 hours
Meeting point: Paihia, Marsden Rd
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Meal: Meal included
Run by: Bay of Islands Sailing / Gungha II

Overview

Gungha II, a 65-foot ocean-going yacht, sets out from Paihia for roughly six hours of sailing around the Bay of Islands. After a safety briefing on boarding, guests can help crew the boat or just settle in and watch the coast go by. Fresh fruit and vegetable snacks come out during the passage. The route passes lava flows, wave-cut caves and headlands where penguins and other marine life often appear.

Midway there is an island stopover. Guests who want to swim ashore can do so with the snorkel gear provided, while those who prefer to stay dry are taken across by transfer. On the island the time is free: walk the tracks, comb the beach, snorkel, or mix all three. Back on board, a fresh sandwich lunch is served, with vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan options, and water or soft drinks alongside.

The trip is informal, as the operator describes it, and reviewers often mention stories from the skipper's years at sea. It is not recommended for people with limited mobility, and there is no hotel pickup, so travellers make their own way to the jetty on Marsden Road in Paihia.

Paihia waterfront along Marsden Road with pohutukawa trees over a footpath and a view across the bay

What's Included

Included

Tasty morning snacks
Plenty of sailing
A unique island stopover
Mask and snorkels
Hot outside shower
Fresh sandwich lunch
Clean toilets
Drinking water and soft drinks are offered with lunch

Not Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Itinerary

Meet at Paihia jettyCheck in at 69 Marsden Rd, Paihia. There is no hotel pickup, so travellers arrive on their own.
Boarding and briefingGuests board Gungha II, receive a safety briefing, and choose whether to help sail or relax.
Sail through the islandsThe yacht sails past lava flows, wave-swept caves and headlands, with fruit and vegetable snacks served along the way. There are chances to spot penguins and other marine life.
Island stopoverGuests swim ashore with snorkel gear if they wish, or are transferred across dry. Time on the island is free for walking, beachcombing and snorkelling.
Lunch on boardA fresh sandwich lunch is served, with vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan options, plus drinking water and soft drinks.
Return sail to PaihiaThe yacht sails back to Paihia to close out the roughly six-hour day. A hot outside shower is available on board.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape the day, from going barefoot on deck to how the weather can shift the schedule.

Where this tour sits among 7 tours in Tall Ship, Yacht And Catamaran Sailing listed here (from-price per person, USD)

Sundowner Tall Ship Sail, 1h50$63.07
Gungha II Day Sail, Island Stop (this tour)$110
Phantom Sail, 5 Hours 30 Minutes$111.80
Tall Ship Sailing, BBQ Lunch Included$117.53
Vigilant Yacht Full-Day Sail$117.53
Day Sail, Lunch and Island Stop$121
6-Hour Sail to Wildlife Sanctuary$140.47

What to bring. Pack swimwear, a towel, camera, sunscreen and rain gear. The operator also suggests a jacket, since conditions on the water change through the day.
Barefoot on board. Everyone goes barefoot on the yacht, so skip complicated footwear. Shoes are only needed again once ashore or back at the jetty.
Food and drink. Morning snacks of fruit and vegetables, a sandwich lunch, water and soft drinks are all included. Vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan lunch options are available. Alcohol is not allowed, and the tour is smoke and vape free.
Small group feel. Reviewers repeatedly describe a very small group on board and a relaxed atmosphere. Several say the skipper shares stories from a lifetime of sailing, which becomes part of the entertainment.
Wildlife is likely but not promised. Multiple reviewers reported penguins during the sail. Sightings depend on the day, so treat them as a bonus rather than a guarantee.
Timing can shift. One reviewer noted the start time was moved earlier because of the tides. Keep an eye on messages from the operator before the day.

Ready To BookCheck availability →

Common issues. The tour is not recommended for people with limited mobility, and there is no hotel pickup or drop-off. One reviewer mentioned the start time being brought forward because of tides, so it pays to confirm timing with the operator before the day. Wildlife sightings vary and cannot be guaranteed.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

The day includes sailing, morning fruit and vegetable snacks, a fresh sandwich lunch with vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan options, drinking water and soft drinks with lunch, snorkel mask and snorkels, a hot outside shower, clean toilets, and the island stopover. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is Food Extra?

No. Snacks, lunch, water and soft drinks are all part of the tour. Dietary options for the sandwiches are available on request.

Where Does The Tour Start?

Check-in is at 69 Marsden Rd, Paihia, New Zealand. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so travellers make their own way to the meeting point.

Is The Tour Suitable For People With Limited Mobility?

The tour is not recommended for people with limited mobility. Travellers with concerns should check with the operator before booking.

What Should I Bring?

Swimwear, a towel, a camera, sunscreen and rain gear, plus a jacket for the wind. Note that everyone must go barefoot on board. Smoking, vaping, alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

Can I Cancel If My Plans Change?

Yes, cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Check the booking page for the full cancellation conditions.