A beach holiday in the Bay of Islands is undoubtedly one of the best ways to spend a few days on New Zealand's North Island. Make the most of your time here by staying in what's known as "The Jewel of the Bay of Islands", Paihia. Our Paihia hotels will put you in the perfect position to unwind and explore this fantastic region, so make sure you check them out below.
Things to do
With so many excellent golden beaches, there's so much to do in Paihia. You can go swimming, sea kayaking, sailing, paragliding, skydiving, scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing here. And for a really unique experience, make sure you go swimming with the friendly local dolphins – it's unforgettable!
One of the most popular beaches in the area is Te Tii Bay, and if you go for a half-hour bush walk, you can view the entire bay from Paihia View Point. The Haruru Falls are right nearby and they're a great spot for a refreshing dip.
If you're an avid hiker, you can also try the Cape Brett Track, which takes about eight hours to complete. Afterwards, jump aboard a boat and head to one of the highlights of Paihia, the "Hole in the Rock", an unusual hole which has been bored into the ginormous rock over thousands of years and is now large enough for boats to pass right through.
Water sports and beach bumming isn’t all that Paihia is famous for, though. While you're here, make sure you check out the Waitangi National Trust Estate, which is significant to all New Zealanders. This area is known as the "Birthplace of the Nation" as it's where the national treaty was signed on February 6, 1840, changing the course of New Zealand's history forever.
If you just can't get enough of the town's history and heritage, you might like to take a step back in time and go on a "Cream Trip", which is the local dairy boat trip that's been running along the exact same route for almost 100 years, picking up and dropping off dairy products at different islands in the bay.
Getting here
The nearest airport to Paihia is Auckland Airport, about 250km away. From the airport, you can catch a coach bus to Paihia or hire a car and take the drive yourself especially if you're not keen on walking once you're in town. And if you're itching to explore some of the other islands in the bay, you can catch ferries or hire a charter boat without any problems.
So don't wait any longer! Book your Paihia accommodation with us now and live every lastminute!
