Bay of Islands

Sitting at Opua on the edge of the Bay of Islands, this marina serves as New Zealand's primary Port of Entry for offshore cruisers arriving from the Pacific, so there's always an international mix of vessels and sea-worn travellers rolling in. It has the feel of a proper cruising hub — the kind of place where long passages end and stories get swapped over cold beers. You're well placed here to explore 144 islands, historic Russell, and the Waitangi Treaty Grounds just a short ride away.