Luxury Bay of Islands Cruises

Step aboard the luxurious 'Island Passage' and explore the Bay of Islands in the Northland region of
New Zealand.  Our luxury 2, 3 and 5 night cruises run throughout January and February.

Cruise Itinerary

DAY 1 - Opua to Assassination Cove

Island Passage departs the port town of Opua at 3pm. We’ll cruise up the Veronica Channel, past the historic settlement of Russell and around Tapeka Point before entering the maritime paradise known as the Bay of Islands. Our first anchorage is Te Hue Bay, which also goes by the name of Assassination Cove.

ASSASSINATION COVE
French explorer Marion du Fresne and 26 of his crew were killed and eaten in this bay - an act of utu (revenge) by the local tribe. The Frenchmen had made the mistake of fishing in tapu waters, even though they had been warned to stay away. You can relax - the tapu has long-since been lifted from Te Hue Bay.

"It was more thickly populated than those parts further south, the people more elaborately tattooed, some of their canoes more elaborately carved; the bay itself beautiful, with many good anchorages, the hills and valleys round it, forests and cultivations beautiful also. Cook called it the Bay of Islands."
Joseph Banks, 1769

DAY 2 - Assassination Cove to Cooks Cove

After a sumptuous breakfast on deck, make yourself comfortable for the passage to Motuarohia Island, where we’ll anchor in Cooks Cove. In the Maori language, Motuarohia means ‘island to be desired’. You’ll quickly see why. From here, we can guide your explorations of this fabulous island and nearby Urupukapuka.

MOTUAROHIA ISLAND
Like Assassination Cove, this island has a murderous history. It was farmed by a widow, Mrs Roberton, and her farm manager Thomas Bull. Bull apparently brutally mistreated a young Maori farm worker, Maketu, who took his revenge with an axe. Mrs Roberton threatened Maketu with an English hanging, so he killed her and her two daughters, then chased her son to the top of the pa site and threw him over the 60 metres cliffs to his death.

URUPUKAPUKA ISLAND
The largest island in the bay, Urupukapuka has eight significant terraced pa (fortified village) sites, which you can discover on an archaeological walk that’s interpreted with signs. Located mostly on headlands, the pa allowed Maori to see enemies approaching by sea.

In a 2006 study, the Bay of Islands was found to have the second bluest sky in the world, after Rio de Janeiro.
Dumé, Belle (2 August 2006)

DAY 3 - Cooks Cove to Deep Water Cove

This morning we’ll cruise through the bay, possibly with dolphins for company, to Cape Brett Peninsula (Rakaumangamanga) . About mid-way up the peninsula is Deep Water Cove, a fantastically beautiful deep-water anchorage. From here our tenders can take you on a fishing expedition or to the Hole-in-the-Rock (Piercy Island).

DEEP WATER COVE
Framed by steep, forested hillsides, Deep Water Cove was the site of Zane Grey's first angling base and an early whaling station. It’s now a nature reserve, complete with idyllic waterfall. Beneath the waters of the cove lies the HMNZS Canterbury, a Leander-class frigate built in Scotland for the Royal New Zealand Navy. The ship was scuttled in 2007 to become a dive attraction.

"Rakaumangamanga is a mountain of renown standing here to the east the words spread of the ancestors from Hawaiiki comes handed down."
Maori paddling song

DAY 4 - Deep Water Cove to Cavalli Islands

After breakfast, our three-night cruise passengers will depart by helicopter for Paihia. Not long later, the helicopter will return to the ship with our two-night cruise passengers. Then we’ll up anchor and set course for the sub-tropical Cavalli Islands.

CAVALLI ISLANDS
The Cavalli group consists of the island of Motukawanui and a number of smaller islets. Motukawanui has around 70 archaeological sites, including 14 pa and 36 pit and terrace complexes. It’s cared for by the Department of Conservation, who have been replanting native forest and introducing rare birds - the North Island brown kiwi is doing well here. The walking track on the island takes around two hours to complete. It follows the ridge tops, delivering outstanding views of Mahinepua Peninsula and Matauri Bay.

DAY 5 - Cavalli Islands to Marsden Cross

Rangihoua Bay on the mainland is our next destination. At Oihi in the bay, the Marsden Cross stands lonely above the sandy beach. It commemorates the site of New Zealand’s first European settlement, as well as Samuel Marsden’s first sermon on Christmas Day in 1814.

"Move here, move there, Gaze upon the tides of Tokerau Like the shining cuckoo All is well, all is well."
Haka perfomed by chief Ruatara and his people to greet Samuel Marsden

DAY 6 - Marsden Cross to Opua

On the final day of our Bay of Islands expedition, we’ll cruise past the Black Rocks on the way back to Opua.  Subject to weather conditions we will land at Waitangi to see the Treaty House and grounds; the birthplace of New Zealand.  Expect to disembark at Opua Wharf around 14.30.

Luxury Bay of Islands Cruise Rates 2011

5 Night Great Circle Cruise:

Single use rates are 1.5 times the twin/double rates.

3 Night Escape Artist Cruise:

Single use rates are 1.5 times the twin/double rates.

2 Night Cavalli Cruise:

Single use rates are 1.5 times the twin/double rates.

To book or for more information, please contact your Travel Agent or Enquire Online »