Day Sailing Charter on Catamaran with Lunch : Bay Of Islands

The best part of this Bay of Islands charter is the balance: you get a proper day on the water, not just a quick boat ride, plus two hours to choose your own island adventure. Brad and Monique, the owner-operators, handle the sailing and share information about the coast, the boat, and the islands along the way. I especially like the small-group feel and the freedom to swim, use a paddleboard, snorkel, walk, or do nothing at all.

I also like the comfortable catamaran setup, with beanbags, room to move, and an indoor saloon when the breeze picks up. The main consideration is the weather. Sailing depends on wind, and even a sunny Bay of Islands morning can feel cool once the boat is moving, so bring a warm jacket and expect some parts of the journey to use the motor.

Key points at a glance

• Two hours at an island bay: Swim, snorkel, paddleboard, walk, or relax at your own pace.
• Brad and Monique run the boat: You get owner-operated service, safety guidance, and commentary about the bay.
• A genuinely comfortable catamaran: Beanbags, an indoor saloon, open deck space, and spotless toilets make six hours easy.
• Lunch is included: Catered sandwiches and lunch options are available for vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free diets.
• Bring your own alcohol: Drinks are not sold onboard, but a cooler is provided.
• Plan for changing conditions: Shoes come off when you board, and the breeze gets stronger while sailing.

Leaving Paihia for a full six hours on the bay

The day begins at 9:30am from Paihia Wharf. Look for the Bayscapes catamaran, and allow yourself enough time to arrive without rushing. This is not a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing boat. It is a six-hour charter built around a slower day at sea.

From Paihia, the boat follows the coastline and heads into the Bay of Islands. The route gives you time to enjoy the setting rather than constantly checking the clock. You can move around the catamaran, sit forward or aft, settle into a beanbag, or use the indoor saloon if the wind becomes sharp.

That space matters. Six hours is a long time on a small boat, but a spacious catamaran feels less confined than a standard sightseeing vessel. The twin-hull design also helps create a stable ride, though no boat can remove all movement in open water. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where you feel most comfortable and keep your eyes on the horizon.

Brad and Monique provide information about the boat, sailing, and the Bay of Islands as you go. Their style is hands-on but relaxed. You can ask questions and learn how the sails work, or simply sit quietly and watch the coast pass by. I like that flexibility because not everyone wants a constant stream of commentary on a day meant for relaxing.

The catamaran is part of the experience

Bayscapes is more than transport to the island stop. The boat is one of the main reasons this outing works so well. It has room to walk around, comfortable beanbags for watching the scenery, and an indoor saloon for shelter.

The small details make a difference over a full day. The toilets have been kept clean, and the boat is described as modern, tidy, and well cared for. Shoes must be removed when you get onboard, so wear something easy to take off and leave bulky footwear behind if possible.

You can expect a mix of sailing and motoring. The crew raises the sails when the wind allows, and a good breeze can turn the return trip into the most memorable part of the day. On calmer stretches, the engine keeps the itinerary moving. That is worth understanding before booking: this is a sailing charter, but not necessarily six hours under sail.

The boat’s stability and open space also help families and mixed-age groups. A family with young children found the crew attentive and welcoming, while adults appreciated the option to talk, enjoy the scenery, or have quiet time. The activities are optional, so you do not need to be a keen swimmer or sailor to enjoy the outing.

A secluded island stop with no fixed way to spend it

After the cruise through the bay, the catamaran anchors near a secluded island bay for about two hours. This is the heart of the day. Instead of being pushed through a tight schedule, you choose how active you want to be.

You can:

• Swim from the boat or near the island
• Use the provided snorkelling mask and snorkel
• Try one of the stand-up paddleboards
• Take a self-guided island walk
• Ride ashore in the available RIB for beach and bush walking
• Relax in the sun and enjoy the quiet

The paddleboards are a good touch for first-timers because you can use them in a casual way rather than signing up for a separate lesson. One person even enjoyed sitting on the board instead of standing. Snorkelling equipment is included, too, which saves you from packing or hiring extra gear.

The island walk is self-guided, with directions provided by the crew. It can include a short, steep track to a summit or lookout, so bring suitable clothing and be realistic about your fitness. The reward is a wider view across the bay, but you should not expect a long guided hike. This is a short optional walk within a sailing day, not a dedicated walking tour.

The RIB makes getting onto the island easier when the catamaran remains anchored offshore. Beach time and bush walking add variety, while the boat remains the base for lunch and relaxing. Conditions may affect exactly how much of the planned water activity is practical, so keep your schedule flexible.

For many people, the best choice will be a mix of everything. Walk first while you are dry, then swim or paddleboard, and leave a little time to sit on the beach or boat before lunch. You might also find that the quiet option is the right one. The island stop is valuable because you are not required to make it busy.

Lunch onboard, with useful dietary choices

Lunch is catered and served onboard after the island activities. The meal has generally been a sandwich-style lunch, with vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free choices available.

The food is not the star of the trip, but it is an important part of the value. You do not need to leave the boat searching for food during the middle of the day, and you can eat while anchored in a beautiful bay. Several meals were described as tasty and thoughtfully prepared, including a gluten-free option.

One honest note: lunch will not impress everyone equally. One person found it ordinary, rating it below the rest of the experience. That is useful context. You are paying for a day of sailing, the island stop, equipment, hosting, and the boat itself. Lunch is a convenient included meal, not a restaurant tasting menu.

Soft drinks and snacks are available for purchase onboard. Alcohol is not sold, but you are welcome to bring your own. A cooler is provided, which is practical if you want a drink with lunch or during the afternoon sail. Pack responsibly and remember that you are on a working boat, not at a waterfront bar.

The afternoon sail back to Paihia

Once lunch and island time are finished, the catamaran heads back toward Paihia. The return leg can be especially pleasant if the wind fills in. The crew may raise the sails, giving you a more traditional sailing experience with the boat moving quietly across the bay.

This is also when the weather can feel cooler. The breeze gets stronger as the boat moves, even if the day began warm on the wharf. Bring a jacket or warm layer, plus weather-appropriate clothing. You will want swimwear and a towel for the island stop, but do not build your whole outfit around hot-weather conditions.

Keep an eye out for marine life during both directions of the trip. The activity specifically encourages you to watch the water as you travel, though sightings are not guaranteed. The scenery itself is the reliable feature: coastline, island bays, open water, and changing views as the boat moves between them.

The charter returns to Paihia after roughly six hours. That makes it easy to fit into a day based in the Bay of Islands, though you should avoid booking another fixed activity too close to the scheduled return. Wind, anchoring, and water conditions can affect timing.

What $126 buys you

At $126 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Bay of Islands. It is also more than a short scenic cruise. You are getting six hours on the water, an island stop, lunch, snorkelling gear, paddleboards, an optional walk, and the service of two owner-operators.

I see the value in the amount of time included. A two-hour cruise can show you the bay, but it rarely gives you time to swim, walk, paddleboard, eat lunch, and enjoy the boat without feeling hurried. Here, the day has room to breathe.

The catamaran also changes the calculation. A clean boat with indoor shelter, beanbags, open space, and a stable ride is worth more when you are onboard for most of the day. The small-group atmosphere adds another benefit, particularly if you prefer personal attention over a large sightseeing vessel. The exact group size can vary, but one recent outing had 12 people, which gives you a useful sense of the scale.

The price makes the most sense if you plan to use the included equipment and island time. If you only want to sit on a boat and look at the coast, a shorter cruise may suit you better. If you want a full day with several choices and no separate activity fees for snorkelling or paddleboarding, the charter is a stronger value.

A minimum of four passengers is required before a booking is confirmed. That condition matters for solo visitors and couples, so check that the departure is confirmed before arranging the rest of your day.

Who will enjoy this charter most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a relaxed day with a choice of activity levels. It works well for couples, families, and friends who do not all want the same thing. One person can swim while another walks, and someone else can stay aboard with a book and a view.

It is also a good choice for people visiting during a cruise stop, provided the timing of your ship visit works with the 9:30am departure and six-hour duration. The wharf meeting point keeps things simple, but you remain responsible for making sure the charter fits your port schedule.

You should be comfortable with several hours at sea and with changing weather. This is not a formal luxury cruise, and the catered lunch is practical rather than elaborate. You will also need to remove your shoes when boarding and bring your own alcohol if that matters to your day.

The charter suits active beginners better than serious athletes. The snorkelling, paddleboards, and walk are all optional, and the crew provides equipment and directions. You do not need previous sailing or paddleboarding experience based on the activity description, but you should be ready to follow safety instructions around the boat and water.

Practical tips before you go

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a warm jacket. The jacket is the item most likely to be forgotten, since the wind can feel much stronger once the catamaran is underway.

Wear clothing that works for both a boat and an island walk. You might get wet while swimming or using the paddleboards, then want a dry layer for the ride home. Since shoes come off onboard, choose footwear that is easy to remove.

If you want alcohol, bring it with you. The boat does not sell alcoholic drinks, but the cooler is available. Soft drinks and snacks can be bought onboard.

Think about how you want to use the two-hour stop before you arrive. A simple plan of walk, swim, paddleboard, and lunch can help you make the most of it, but do not feel obliged to fill every minute. The whole point of the charter is to enjoy the bay at a comfortable pace.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The tour is conducted in English, and the meeting point is Paihia Wharf, beside the Bayscapes catamaran.

Should you book the Bayscapes charter?

Book this tour if you want more than a sightseeing cruise and less structure than a full activity program. The strongest reasons are the comfortable boat, the attentive owner-operators Brad and Monique, the flexible island stop, and the fact that snorkelling gear and paddleboards are included.

Think twice if you dislike being on the water for six hours, want a gourmet lunch, or need a guaranteed all-sail itinerary. Weather affects the sailing, and the breeze can make a jacket essential.

For most people who want a full Bay of Islands day with swimming, a short walk, time on a paddleboard, and plenty of scenery, $126 is a fair price. I would book it for the boat time and island access first, with lunch as a useful bonus. Check the forecast, confirm the minimum four-person departure, pack a warm layer, and you should be set for a memorable day from Paihia.

FAQ

Where does the Bay of Islands sailing charter depart?

The charter departs from Paihia Wharf. Look for the Bayscapes catamaran.

What time does the charter leave?

The catamaran usually departs in the morning at 9:30am.

How long does the experience last?

The charter lasts six hours.

What activities are available at the island stop?

You can swim, snorkel, use a stand-up paddleboard, take a self-guided walk, or relax. A RIB is available to take you ashore for beach and bush walking.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A catered lunch is included, with vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options available.

Can I bring alcohol?

Yes. Alcohol is not available for purchase onboard, but you may bring your own. A cooler is provided.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and weather-appropriate clothing. A warm jacket is recommended because the breeze gets stronger while sailing.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The booking also requires a minimum of four passengers before it is confirmed.