Opua

Opua sits quietly at the southern edge of the Bay of Islands, where the Waikeri and Kawakawa Rivers merge to create a deep, sheltered harbour. Known as the “Gateway to the Bay of Islands,” Opua serves as New Zealand’s northernmost official port of entry, making it the first land fall for weary sailors after crossing the South Pacific. The sight of Opua’s protected waters, surrounded by regenerating native forest, provides welcome relief to ocean-weary travelers. Yet you don’t need to sail across an ocean to appreciate Opua’s peaceful charms.

This small maritime settlement offers a refreshing alternative to the busier atmosphere of nearby Paihia. The compact waterfront centers around the 250-berth Opua Marina, boat yards, and the car ferry terminal that connects to Russell across the harbour. Life here moves at a slower pace, with sailboats gently bobbing at their moorings, native birds calling from the surrounding bush, and locals greeting visitors with genuine warmth. Just 7 minutes from Paihia yet worlds away in atmosphere, Opua provides the perfect base for those seeking a quieter Bay of Islands experience while maintaining easy access to activities and attractions.

Why Visit Opua

Maritime Heritage: As New Zealand’s northernmost international port of entry, Opua has welcomed cruising yachts from around the world since the early 20th century. The Opua Cruising Club serves as the social hub for this international sailing community, creating a unique multicultural atmosphere in this small Northland settlement.

Gateway Location: The car ferry terminal in Opua provides the most direct vehicle access to Russell, making Opua a convenient stopping point for travelers exploring the Bay of Islands. The ferry operates every 10 minutes during the day, connecting you to Russell’s historic attractions in just 10 minutes.

Peaceful Atmosphere: Unlike Paihia’s bustling waterfront just 7 minutes away, Opua maintains a tranquil village feel. This makes it ideal for visitors wanting to experience the Bay of Islands without crowds while still having easy access to activities and dining options.

Coastal & Forest Walks: Opua serves as a trailhead for the popular Paihia to Opua Coastal Walkway and provides access to the Opua Forest with its kauri trees and lookout tracks, offering excellent hiking opportunities literally from your accommodation’s doorstep.

What to See & Do in Opua

Opua Marina & Waterfront

Opua Marina is one of New Zealand’s premier yachting facilities, with 250 berths accommodating vessels from small yachts to large cruising boats. Walking along the marina pontoons provides endless interest, with boats flying flags from dozens of nations, sailors working on their vessels, and the constant activity of a working maritime community. The marina offers full facilities including fuel, water, electricity, showers, laundry, and chandlery services.

The waterfront area includes Ashby’s Boatyard, one of New Zealand’s most respected marine service facilities, where you can watch skilled craftspeople maintaining and repairing yachts. The sight of boats being hauled out, painted, and launched provides a window into the maritime trades.

Opua Cruising Club welcomes visitors with temporary memberships. This is the heart of Opua’s international sailing community, where sailors from around the world gather to share stories, enjoy meals, and participate in social events. The club’s deck overlooks the harbour, providing beautiful water views with your meal or drink. Even if you’ve never set foot on a sailboat, the club offers a warm welcome and a chance to experience the unique culture of long-distance cruising.

Car Ferry to Russell

The Opua to Okiato Vehicle Ferry provides the quickest vehicle access to Russell. Operating as a shuttle service every 10 minutes during the day (every 20 minutes early morning and late evening), the ferry crosses the harbour in about 10 minutes. The ferry accommodates all vehicles including cars, trucks, buses, and campervans.

Tickets can be purchased on board or at the Opua General Store before boarding. The short crossing offers pleasant harbour views and makes an enjoyable mini-cruise. From Okiato, it’s a scenic 10-minute drive to Russell town. This ferry service makes Russell easily accessible for day trips while staying in Opua or the wider Bay of Islands area.

Note: At low tides, larger vehicles (buses, truck and trailer units, large campervans) may need to travel within 2 hours either side of high tide to avoid ground clearance issues on the ramps.

Coastal & Forest Walks

Paihia to Opua Coastal Walkway is one of the Bay of Islands’ most popular walking tracks. This well-maintained 5.5km trail follows the shoreline from Paihia to Opua, taking approximately 2-3 hours one way. The track passes through native bush, along beaches, through mangrove areas, and past historical sites while offering stunning Bay of Islands views throughout.

The walk can be done in either direction. Many walkers start in Opua, walk to Paihia for lunch and shopping, then return to Opua by passenger ferry (foot passengers $2) from Paihia Wharf. Alternatively, park at Okiato car ferry terminal, take the ferry to Opua, walk to Paihia, then catch the passenger ferry back to your car. Multiple swimming spots along the way make this a perfect summer walk.

Opua Forest Lookout Track offers a short but rewarding forest walk through regenerating native bush featuring kauri trees. The track starts from Oromahoe Road (with parking for 3-4 cars) and climbs through kauri forest to a lookout platform with views over the Bay of Islands, Russell, and Waitangi. The walk takes approximately 20-30 minutes one way (40-60 minutes return) and features boardwalk sections through the most sensitive forest areas. At the lookout, you’ll be surrounded by kauri trees ranging from 25 years to 400 years old.

Oromahoe Traverse provides a longer hiking option connecting the Opua Forest Lookout to Paihia School Road Track. This 2-hour trek offers more extensive forest walking and eventually joins with tracks that provide panoramic views to Waitangi, Russell, Cape Brett, and the eastern Bay of Islands. This makes an excellent option for more active hikers wanting to spend a half-day exploring.

Bay of Islands Vintage Railway

The Opua Branch railway line once connected Opua to the North Auckland Line, with passenger trains running directly from Auckland to Opua from 1884 until 1976. Today, the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway operates heritage train rides between Opua and Kawakawa (passing through the famous Kawakawa Hundertwasser Toilets station).

These vintage trains provide a nostalgic journey through the Northland countryside, offering a unique way to explore the area. The railway operates mainly on weekends, school holidays, and public holidays. Check their schedule before visiting, as services are limited.

Opua as a Base for Bay of Islands Activities

While Opua itself maintains a quiet atmosphere, its proximity to Paihia (7 minutes’ drive) means all Bay of Islands activities remain easily accessible. Stay in Opua’s peaceful environment, then drive or walk to Paihia for island cruises, fishing charters, sailing experiences, diving trips, and other water-based adventures.

The car ferry to Russell also puts historic Russell within easy reach, while Waitangi Treaty Grounds sits just 10 minutes away. This combination of peaceful accommodation and convenient access makes Opua an increasingly popular choice for visitors wanting to avoid Paihia’s busier atmosphere while exploring the same attractions.

Practical Information

Getting There

From Auckland: Approximately 240km (about 3 hours’ drive north via State Highway 1, then State Highway 11).

From Paihia: 6km (approximately 7 minutes via State Highway 11).

From Kerikeri: 25km (approximately 25 minutes via State Highway 10 and 11).

From Whangarei: 55km (approximately 50 minutes via State Highway 1 and 11).

Driving Directions: From State Highway 1, turn onto State Highway 11 at Kawakawa heading toward Paihia. Before reaching Paihia, follow signs to Opua. The road descends to the waterfront where you’ll find the marina and ferry terminal.

By Bus: InterCity coaches serve nearby Paihia. From Paihia, Opua is a 7-minute drive or pleasant 2-3 hour coastal walk.

How Long to Stay

Opua works well for:

Day Visit: Stop in Opua to catch the car ferry to Russell or walk the coastal track to/from Paihia.

2-3 nights: Use Opua as a peaceful base to explore the Bay of Islands, enjoying the Opua Forest walks, coastal walks, and easy access to all major attractions while returning each evening to a quieter setting than Paihia.

Longer Stays: Opua’s peaceful atmosphere and self-contained accommodation options make it excellent for longer stays, especially for those prioritizing relaxation and nature over non-stop activity.

Accommodation

Opua offers primarily self-contained holiday homes, baches (beach houses), bed and breakfasts, and some waterfront motels. Accommodation tends to be quieter and often more affordable than Paihia, with many properties offering water views and garden settings.

The nearby Opua General Store provides basic supplies. For full supermarket shopping, banking, and other services, Paihia (7 minutes) and Kerikeri (25 minutes) offer comprehensive facilities.

What to Bring

Essential Items:

• Sun protection (hat, sunscreen SPF 30+, sunglasses)
• Comfortable walking shoes for coastal and forest tracks
• Light rain jacket (weather can change)
• Swimwear and beach towel (for swimming spots along coastal walk)
• Insect repellent (sandflies can be present near water)
• Reusable water bottle

For Coastal Walk:

• Daypack with snacks and water
• Camera for scenic views
• Cash for ferry return if needed ($2 foot passenger from Paihia)

For Forest Walks:

• Sturdy walking shoes (some sections can be muddy)
• Remember to use boot-wash stations before and after walking through kauri forest to help prevent kauri dieback disease

Facilities & Services

Opua has limited facilities:

• Opua General Store (basic supplies, ferry tickets)
• Opua Marina (marine supplies, showers, laundry)
• Opua Cruising Club (restaurant and bar)
• Car ferry terminal

For comprehensive services including supermarkets, banks, medical facilities, petrol stations, and wider dining options, Paihia (7 minutes) provides full amenities.

Mobile phone coverage is good in Opua and surrounding areas.

Visitor Tips

Ferry Wait Times: The car ferry operates every 10 minutes during the day, so you rarely wait long. However, during peak summer periods (especially Christmas/New Year) and public holiday weekends, short queues may form. Allow extra time if on a tight schedule.

Coastal Walk Direction: Most people find walking from Opua to Paihia more enjoyable as you’re walking toward the more developed area with its cafés and shops. Return to Opua by foot passenger ferry ($2) for a different perspective.

Boot Washing: Always use boot-wash stations before and after walking tracks through kauri forest. This simple step helps protect these ancient trees from kauri dieback disease.

Opua Cruising Club: Even if you’re not a sailor, the cruising club welcomes visitors. It’s a unique opportunity to meet people from around the world and hear fascinating cruising stories while enjoying reasonably priced meals with water views.

Parking: Parking is generally easy in Opua, unlike busier Paihia. The Opua General Store area and marina provide parking options.

Cash: Carry some cash as the general store and some services may not accept cards.

Experience Opua

Opua offers something increasingly rare in popular tourist destinations: genuine peace and quiet without sacrificing convenience. This is not a place of waterfront restaurants competing for attention or tour operators calling from every corner. Instead, Opua provides a authentic maritime village where the focus remains on the water, the forest, and the community rather than tourism infrastructure.

Wake to the sound of rigging clinking gently against masts, native birds calling from the regenerating bush, and the unhurried rhythm of a working harbor. Spend your morning walking through kauri forest to lookout points, your afternoon exploring the coastal track to Paihia, and your evening at the cruising club listening to sailors’ tales from distant oceans. Opua lets you experience the Bay of Islands as a local might, with activities and attractions just minutes away but your accommodation providing a genuine refuge.

For sailors arriving after weeks or months at sea, Opua represents the first safe harbour in New Zealand. For land-based travelers, it offers the same thing: a safe harbour from the busy world, where you can relax completely while keeping all of the Bay of Islands’ wonders within easy reach. Whether you’re watching boats prepare for departure to distant islands, walking through ancient kauri forest, or simply sitting by the water watching the light change across the harbour, Opua reminds you that sometimes the best experiences come from slowing down rather than speeding up.

Local Listings to Explore

Accommodation

Find your Opua base in peaceful waterfront holiday homes, cozy baches, and comfortable bed and breakfasts offering a quieter alternative to busier Paihia while maintaining easy access to all Bay of Islands attractions.

Browse Accommodation options in the Bay of Islands

Tours & Activities

While Opua itself maintains a peaceful atmosphere, all Bay of Islands tours and activities are easily accessible from this convenient base. Island cruises, fishing charters, and sailing adventures depart from nearby Paihia.

Browse more Tours & Activities in the Bay of Islands

Food & Drink

Opua’s dining centers around the Opua Cruising Club with its waterfront deck and international sailing community atmosphere. The Opua General Store provides basic supplies, while Paihia (7 minutes) offers extensive dining options.

Explore cafés and restaurants in the Bay of Islands