Planning Your Visit to the Bay of Islands

Your essential guide to planning the perfect Bay of Islands getaway, from when to visit to practical information you’ll need on arrival.

When to Visit

Weather & Seasons

The Bay of Islands enjoys a subtropical climate, earning it the nickname “Winterless North.” The region has pleasantly warm weather year-round, making it an excellent destination any time of year.

Summer (December-February)
Summer is the peak season with warm, sunny days perfect for swimming and water activities. Average temperatures range from 24-26°C (75-79°F), with plenty of sunshine and long daylight hours. Expect higher prices and busier attractions, especially during the Christmas and New Year period. Book accommodations and popular activities well in advance if visiting during summer.

Autumn (March-May)
Autumn offers beautiful warm weather, especially in March and early April, with temperatures ranging from 19-24°C (66-75°F). The days are still warm enough for beach swims through March and well into April, with cooler evenings. This is one of the best times to visit for a balance of good weather and fewer crowds.

Winter (June-August)
Winter in the Bay of Islands is mild compared to the rest of New Zealand, with average daytime temperatures around 16-17°C (61-63°F). While it’s the wettest season with more frequent rainfall, temperatures rarely drop below 10°C at night. This is the cheapest time to visit, with discounted accommodation and fewer tourists. Winter is still suitable for many outdoor activities including dolphin watching, boat cruises, and exploring historic sites.

Spring (September-November)
Spring is magical in the Bay of Islands as native flowers bloom in spectacular colours. Temperatures range from 17-21°C (63-70°F), with increasingly pleasant weather as summer approaches. This is another excellent shoulder season with good weather, reasonable prices, and manageable crowds.

Best Time to Visit: For the optimal combination of pleasant weather and fewer crowds, visit during the shoulder seasons of spring (October-November) or autumn (March-April).

How Long to Stay

Most visitors find that 3-5 days is ideal for experiencing the Bay of Islands highlights. This gives you enough time to:

Take a cruise to see the Hole in the Rock and spot dolphins
Visit the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Explore both Paihia and Russell
Enjoy a day trip (Cape Reinga or Kerikeri)
Relax on beautiful beaches

Minimum: 2 days will allow you to cover the essential experiences
Ideal: 3-4 days for a well-paced visit without feeling rushed
Extended: 5-7+ days if you want to explore at leisure, try multiple water activities, or use the Bay as a base for wider Northland exploration

Before You Arrive

Booking Activities in Advance

High Season (December-February): Book popular activities at least 2-3 weeks in advance, particularly:

Dolphin cruises and Hole in the Rock tours
Accommodation (especially Russell)
Cape Reinga day trips
Popular restaurants for dinner

Shoulder Season (March-May, September-November): Booking 1 week ahead is usually sufficient for most activities

Low Season (June-August): Many activities can be booked 2-3 days ahead, though booking earlier never hurts

Most tour operators offer free cancellation if you cancel 24 hours before departure, giving you flexibility if weather or plans change.

New Zealand School Holidays 2026

The Bay of Islands is a popular destination for Kiwi families during school holidays. Expect increased crowds, higher accommodation prices, and reduced availability during these periods:

Summer holidays: Late December 2025 – between 26 January and 9 February 2026
Autumn/Easter holidays: 3 April – 19 April 2026 (includes Easter weekend)
Winter holidays: 4 July – 19 July 2026
Spring holidays: 26 September – 11 October 2026

Tip: If you’re planning to visit during school holidays, treat it like high season and book accommodation and popular activities 3-4 weeks in advance. The summer school holidays overlap with peak tourist season, making this the busiest time of year.What to Pack

Essential Clothing

All Seasons:

Lightweight, breathable clothing (shorts, t-shirts, sundresses)
Swimwear and beach cover-up
Comfortable walking shoes or trainers
Light rain jacket or windbreaker
Sun hat and sunglasses
Light sweater or fleece for evenings (even in summer, it gets chilly on boats)
Smart casual outfit for dining out

Winter Additions:

Warmer jacket or sweater
Long pants
Closed-toe shoes

Important Items

Sunscreen (SPF 30+): Do not underestimate the NZ sun! UV levels are high in New Zealand year-round. Pack reef-safe sunscreen if snorkelling
Insect repellent: Useful for bush walks and evenings
Daypack: For carrying essentials during day trips
Reusable water bottle: Stay hydrated and save money
Power adapter: New Zealand uses Type I plugs (same as Australia)
Camera/Phone: Don’t forget chargers and consider a waterproof phone case
Any prescription medications: In original containers with prescriptions. See NZ Customs requirements for prescription medicines.

Pro Tip: Even in summer, it can get cooler when out on the water for the day. Always bring a light jacket or fleece on cruise excursions.

On Arrival

Groceries & Supermarkets

Paihia:

Woolworths (Waitangi): Large supermarket at Haruru Falls (Puketona Road), about 2km from central Paihia. Better stocked than the smaller Paihia store
Woolworths (Williams Road): Smaller location in central Paihia, convenient but more limited selection
Four Square (Paihia): Small local supermarket on Williams Road

Russell:

Four Square Russell: The town’s main supermarket on The Strand. Has been serving the community for over 90 years with a full range including fresh produce, butchery, seafood, and bakery

Kerikeri:

New World Kerikeri: Large, well-stocked supermarket at 99 Kerikeri Road
Woolworths: Additional option in Kerikeri
Four Square Waipapa: Just north of Kerikeri on State Highway 10

Price Comparison: Woolworths stores are generally the most affordable. New World is slightly more expensive but offers good quality. Four Square stores are convenient but tend to have higher prices.

Banks & ATMs

ATMs are available in all three main towns:

Paihia:

BNZ ATM (Smart ATM) – 41 Williams Road (available 24/7)
ASB Bank – 37 Williams Road (also has a Bureau de Change)
Westpac ATM – 76 Marsden Road

Russell:

Westpac ATM – 7 Cass Street
Limited banking facilities (most services require ferry to Paihia)

Kerikeri:

Full banking facilities available including BNZ branch at 67 Kerikeri Road
Multiple ATMs throughout town

Important Note: While Paihia and Russell were once home to bank branches, only Kerikeri now has full-service bank branches. Plan accordingly if you need banking services beyond ATM withdrawals.

Money and Payments in the Bay of Islands

Most businesses around the Bay of Islands operate pretty much cashless these days, though you’ll find the occasional exception. Here’s what you need to know about handling money during your visit.

How People Pay Here

Card payments are the norm throughout Northland. Your Visa or Mastercard will work at virtually every shop, café, and restaurant in Paihia, Russell, and Kerikeri. The bigger petrol stations, supermarkets, and tourist attractions all have modern payment systems.

Tap-and-go payments (we call it PayWave) are everywhere. Apple Pay and Google Pay work just as well. For purchases over NZD$200, you’ll need to enter your PIN rather than just tapping. Most locals don’t carry much cash anymore, if any.

That said, it pays to have a bit of cash on hand. Some of the smaller dairies (corner shops), farm stalls on rural roads, and the occasional market vendor still prefer notes and coins. A few family-run places in quieter spots might have a minimum spend for card payments, usually around $10 or $15.

Cash and ATMs

You’ll find ATMs in the main centres: Paihia, Russell (just one, near the wharf), and Kerikeri. Your international debit or credit card should work fine as long as it has a four-digit PIN. Banks typically charge a fee for overseas withdrawals, so check with yours before you travel.

New Zealand did away with 1c, 2c, and 5c coins years ago. If you pay cash, the total gets rounded to the nearest 10 cents. Card payments use the exact amount, no rounding.

What Things Cost (and Don’t Cost)

All prices you see already include GST (Goods and Services Tax) at 15%. What’s on the price tag is what you pay. There’s no calculating tax at the checkout like in some countries.

Tipping isn’t part of the culture here. You won’t see service charges added to restaurant bills, and hospitality staff earn proper wages rather than relying on tips. If you receive exceptional service and want to leave something, it’s appreciated but genuinely not expected.

Some businesses, particularly smaller ones, add a small surcharge for credit card payments, usually around 1-3%. This often doesn’t apply to debit cards. They’re required to tell you about any surcharge before you pay.

Before You Leave Home

This is important: let your bank know you’re travelling to New Zealand and give them your dates. Many banks automatically freeze cards when they see overseas transactions, assuming it’s fraud. A quick phone call or online notification beforehand saves a lot of hassle trying to sort out a frozen card when you’re trying to pay for your fish and chips in Paihia.

American Express and Diners Club are not widely accepted. Visa and Mastercard are the norm, so have a backup card if that’s your main one.

Practical Tips

Bring at least two different cards (on different accounts if possible) in case one doesn’t work or gets lost. Keep them separate while you’re out and about.

If you’re heading to more remote parts of Northland, the Hokianga or the Kauri Coast for instance, carry some cash. Mobile coverage can be patchy, which sometimes affects electronic payment systems.

For international visitors, you generally can’t claim back the GST, except on certain expensive items that are shipped directly overseas by the supplier. This doesn’t usually apply to regular tourist purchases.

Mobile Phone Coverage

The Bay of Islands has reliable mobile phone coverage in the main towns and most tourist areas.

Coverage by Town:

Paihia/Waitangi: Good 4G and 5G coverage with all major carriers
Russell: Good coverage in town and around the waterfront
Kerikeri: Excellent coverage throughout the town

Main Carriers:

One NZ (formerly Vodafone): Good coverage across the Bay of Islands
Spark: Comprehensive coverage in populated areas
2degrees: Reliable coverage in main towns

Coverage Limitations:

Signal may be patchy on some outer islands
Remote beaches and bush walks may have limited reception
Coverage can be reduced inside buildings or in valleys

Tourist SIM Cards: If you’re visiting from overseas, you can purchase local SIM cards at Auckland Airport, supermarkets (including Woolworths and New World), or mobile phone shops. Most carriers offer tourist-friendly prepaid plans with data, calls, and texts.

WiFi: Most accommodations, cafes, and restaurants offer free WiFi. The i-SITE Visitor Information Centre in Paihia also provides free WiFi.

Medical Services

Emergency: Dial 111 for ambulance, fire, or police

Hospitals:

Bay of Islands Hospital
Hospital Road, Kawakawa (20 minutes from Paihia)
Phone: 09 404 0280

This 20-bed hospital provides comprehensive medical and accident services with a 9-bed Accident and Medical Department (not a walk-in emergency department – call ahead). The hospital offers a range of services including community health, dialysis, and specialist clinics.

GP Clinics:

Paihia Medical Services
Level 1, 76 Marsden Road, Paihia (some sources list 2/22 Selwyn Road)
Phone: 09 402 8407

Female doctors available
Parking and disability access
Accepting new patients
After-hours service available (call clinic number)

Bay View Medical Centre
Paihia
Phone: 09 403 7139

Kerikeri Medical Centre
4 Homestead Road, Kerikeri
Phone: 09 407 7777

Pharmacies:

Paihia Pharmacy
Williams Road, Paihia (opposite the wharf)
Phone: 09 402 7034
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm, Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm, Sunday and public holidays 9:00am-5:00pm (extended summer hours December-April)

Russell: Limited pharmacy services; most people travel to Paihia or Kerikeri

After-Hours Medical Care:
For non-emergency after-hours medical care, contact Bay of Islands After Hours GP service at Bay of Islands Hospital: 09 404 0328. Note: This is an appointment-only service with charges that apply.

Travel Insurance: International visitors should have comprehensive travel insurance as medical care in New Zealand can be expensive for non-residents.

Getting Around

The Bay of Islands region consists of several towns, each offering different attractions:

Paihia: The main tourist hub with most activities, tours, and amenities
Russell: Historic village accessible by passenger ferry (15 minutes) or car ferry from Opua
Kerikeri: Largest town, 20 minutes north of Paihia, known for history and wine
Waitangi: Adjacent to Paihia, home to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Car Ferry: Required if driving between Paihia and Russell (departs from Opua)
Passenger Ferry: Regular service between Paihia and Russell (departs every 20 minutes)

For full ferry schedules and pricing, see Bay of Islands Ferries.

Additional Resources

For more detailed information on planning your visit, see: