6-Hour Sail To Wildlife Sanctuary

Island Hopper- Sail to wildlife sanctuary - 6 hr - Bay of Islands

★ 5.0 322 reviews

from $140.47 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 Beach, Marsden Rd
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Meal: Meal included
Run by: Barefoot Sailing Adventures

Overview

Boarding happens straight off the sand at Paihia Beach, where the Barefoot Sailing Adventures catamaran anchors close to shore, usually at least half an hour before departure. From there the boat sails out through the Bay of Islands past Russell, Motuarohia (Roberton) Island and other spots on the way to Moturua Island, a remote wildlife sanctuary where you get roughly two hours ashore. The crew gives live commentary during the sailing legs, and the operator describes this as genuine sailing, not a tour bus on water.

The island stop is yours to shape. Snorkel gear and a paddleboard are on board, there are bush tracks to walk, and the picnic lunch is eaten during island time. Morning tea with coffee, tea, hot chocolate and biscuits comes early in the day, and a cold drink is served on the return sail. Lunch caters for vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and dairy free diets if you note it when booking, though it is not suitable for food allergies because cross contamination cannot be ruled out.

Tall ship under sail in the Bay of Islands with green islands behind.

With a maximum of 20 travellers, the day suits people who want a slow, social sail rather than a fast circuit of every island. One reviewer describes it as more personal than the larger boats, and another mentions falling asleep on the wind-powered leg home. It does not suit anyone who cannot manage a boarding ladder from shallow water, and the crew say so plainly.

Two catamaran cruise boats tied alongside Paihia wharf in early morning, wet timber planks, gulls and a hazy green headland beyond

What's Included

Included

Full day sailing adventure (approx. 6 hours)
Morning tea: coffee, tea, hot chocolate, biscuits
Lunch
Cold drink on the return sail
Live commentary throughout
Snorkel equipment and paddleboard use
Sail through the Bay of Islands to a remote wildlife sanctuary island
Island time - 2 hrs, water activities, bush tracks, beaching, exploring, picnic lunch
Live crew commentary throughout, genuine sailing, not a tour bus on water

Not Included

Bottled water

Itinerary

Meet at Paihia BeachFind the Barefoot catamaran anchored near the shoreline about halfway along Paihia Beach, identifiable by the footprint logo on the side.
Sail through the Bay of IslandsThe boat passes Paihia Harbour, Russell, Motuarohia (Roberton) Island and Urupukapuka Island on the way out, with live crew commentary throughout.
Moturua IslandTwo hours at the wildlife sanctuary island, for water activities, bush tracks, beaching, exploring and the picnic lunch.
Return sailPass Waitangi on the way back to Paihia Beach, with a cold drink served on board.
End at Paihia BeachThe trip finishes at the same meeting point on Marsden Road.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape the day, from how you get on the boat to where you park.

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$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 (this tour)$140.47

Boarding from the beach. You step from the sand into shallow water and climb a boarding ladder without physical assistance, so you need to be steady on your feet. At very low tide a dinghy may be used to ferry you out.
What to bring. Bring your own water bottle, since bottled water is not included, and the crew will refill it. Wear footwear suitable for uneven natural terrain if you plan to walk the bush tracks, and dress for a day outdoors in whatever weather is forecast.
Swimming and non-swimmers. Water activities require the ability to swim in open water unassisted. Non-swimmers are welcome on board and lifejackets are available for the sailing time.

White catamaran cruise boat under way among forested islands with a wake behind, seen from a following boat

Food and drink. Morning tea, a packed picnic lunch and a cold drink on the return are all included. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and dairy free lunches are available if requested in the booking notes, but anyone with a food allergy should bring their own lunch.
Parking. Street parking in front of the beach is limited to four hours, which does not cover a six hour trip. One reviewer reported the crew directing guests to a paid lot roughly five minutes away on foot.
The island walk. A couple of reviewers recommend hiking over the hill to the far cove, calling it far more beautiful than the docking cove. The bush tracks are graded moderate, so sturdy footwear is recommended.

Ready To BookCheck availability →

Common issues. The boat departs on time without exception, and no refund is given for late arrival, so build in time for travel and parking. Cruise ship passengers need to check their ship's schedule before booking, since the anchor point differs from the Paihia departure point and the operator allows no leeway for changed ship timings. The trip is not wheelchair accessible and is not recommended for people with poor mobility. It runs in most weather, and snorkelling visibility can suffer after rain, as one reviewer found. Cancellations for poor weather or unmet minimum numbers come with an offer of a different date or a full refund.

Common Questions

Where Does The Tour Start And Is There Hotel Pickup?

The meeting point is Marsden Road on Paihia Beach, where the catamaran anchors close to shore with a footprint logo along the side. Whether hotel pickup is offered is not stated, so check the live booking page for details. The boat is usually anchored at least 30 minutes before departure.

What Is Included In The Price?

About six hours of sailing, live commentary, morning tea with coffee, tea, hot chocolate and biscuits, a packed picnic lunch, a cold drink on the return sail, and use of snorkel gear and a paddleboard. Two hours of island time at Moturua is included with free admission. Bottled water is not included, so bring your own bottle for refills.

Can Children Join?

Yes, children must be accompanied by an adult, and children under 5, including infants, need a child ticket to board. Most travellers can participate, though boarding from the beach requires managing a ladder without help.

What About Dietary Requirements?

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and dairy free lunches are available if you note it in the comments when booking. The lunches are not suitable for food allergies because cross contamination cannot be guaranteed, so bring your own lunch if that applies to you.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window no refund or changes are accepted. If the operator cancels for poor weather or because minimum numbers are not met, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

Is It Suitable For Someone With Limited Mobility?

Not really. The trip is not wheelchair accessible and not recommended for people with poor mobility, since boarding involves stepping into shallow water and using a ladder. The island walk covers uneven natural terrain of moderate grade. The crew invite anyone unsure to contact them before booking.