Bay of Islands: an island-studded harbour at Paihia
Published on 09/19/2026 at 18:27 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael MĂĽller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Bay of Islands is a wide, island-strewn harbour off Paihia in the Northland region of New Zealand’s North Island, where a complex coastline meets layered history.
An intricate harbour shaped from river valleys
Bay of Islands lies on the east coast of the Far North District of New Zealand’s North Island, opening towards the South Pacific between Cape Brett and the Purerua Peninsula.Bay of Islands encompasses 144 islands between Cape Brett and the Purerua Peninsula The harbour formed where the sea flooded an old river system, creating a series of deep inlets and sheltered arms along more than 800 km (497 mi) of shoreline.shoreline of 500 miles and about 150 islands The water surface today is dotted with rocky islands and low-lying islets, many covered in coastal vegetation, which give the bay its name.
The main towns standing around Bay of Islands are Kerikeri, Paihia, Russell and Opua, each with its own stretch of waterfront.includes the boutique towns of Opua, Paihia, Russell and Kerikeri Paihia sits on the western side of the bay, facing across the water towards Russell, while Waitangi occupies the low headland immediately to its north.Paihia is a town in the Bay of Islands in the Northland Region From shore, the view takes in a mixture of close islands and distant headlands, with boats moving between them and along the inlets.
Paihia and the historic shore of Bay of Islands
Paihia is a coastal town in Northland that grew as a waterfront settlement and later as the main resort town of Bay of Islands, with a wharf, beaches and a compact town centre behind the shore.Paihia is the main resort town of the Bay of Islands An Anglican mission station was founded at Paihia in 1823, continuing the line of early mission settlements that began at Rangihoua Bay in 1814 and Kerikeri in 1819 along this coast.missions were set up at Kerikeri (1819) and Paihia (1823) Nearby Waitangi later became the site of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, signed between representatives of the British Crown and M?ori chiefs and remembered as a founding document of modern New Zealand.Treaty of Waitangi between the British Crown and M?ori chiefs took place at the Bay of Islands in 1840
Across the water from Paihia lies Russell, once known as Koror?reka, which developed as an anchorage and provisioning point for whaling ships during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.whaling was concentrated at Koror?reka (now Russell) In the early colonial era Russell became the first permanent European settlement and the informal capital of the colony, while Waitangi housed the British Resident James Busby from 1833.Russell was the first permanent European settlement and informal capital These neighbouring shore communities, together with Kerikeri further inland along its river, make Bay of Islands one of the most historically layered coastal areas in New Zealand.
Water, islands and travel on the bay
Bay of Islands functions both as a geographic region and as a maritime landscape, with the harbour and its islands forming a setting for boat travel, coastal walks and journeys between the towns.Bay of Islands is a bay of the South Pacific Ocean and geographic region The main wharf at Paihia serves as a departure point for cruises through the harbour and for ferries that cross to Russell, linking the two towns directly across the water.from the wharf you can catch the ferry to Russell Further south, vehicle ferries connect Opua with Russell, while smaller boats travel amongst the islands and along the inlets towards Kerikeri and other shore settlements.a vehicle ferry provides a link between Opua and Russell
The harbour shows traces of volcanic activity in its surrounding terrain, with eruption outlets and lava flows forming part of the wider landscape described along this stretch of Northland coastline.the area shows signs of volcanic activity, with many eruption outlets and lava flows Inland from Paihia, gentle hills and river valleys lead towards Kerikeri, where waterfalls and historic stone buildings mark another phase of settlement linked to the bay. Out on the water, the islands vary from steep, rocky outcrops to larger pieces of land with bays and small beaches, and many lie within sight of the mainland shore.
Visiting Bay of Islands: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Bay of Islands lies off the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island in the Northland region, with Paihia on its shore and Auckland to the south connected by State Highway 1.
- Paihia is reached by road along State Highway 11, and passenger ferries cross the bay between Paihia and Russell while vehicle ferries link Opua and Russell.
- The harbour is a coastal environment with shore walks, boat landings and wharves, so visits commonly involve time on foot along uneven paths and on moving vessels.
- English is the official language and the currency is the New Zealand dollar.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
Searching for Bay of Islands on social platforms
These links open searches for Bay of Islands on each platform.Frequently asked questions about Bay of Islands
Where is Bay of Islands in New Zealand?
Bay of Islands is on the east coast of the North Island’s Northland region, off the shore of towns such as Paihia, Russell, Opua and Kerikeri.
What can visitors expect when staying in Paihia?
Visitors staying in Paihia encounter a waterfront town with beaches, a wharf for boat trips across the harbour and short travel connections to nearby historic sites.
What makes Bay of Islands distinctive among New Zealand harbours?
Bay of Islands stands out for its drowned river valley coastline, its scattered islands, and the concentration of early mission and colonial sites along its sheltered shores.
