Getting around the Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands is easy to explore by a mix of land and water. Walk compact Paihia, hop the ferry to Russell, take to the islands by cruise, and use a car for Kerikeri and the beaches. With short distances and frequent boats, getting around is simple and scenic — here's how to move between the highlights.
Ferries & cruises
The water is the bay's main highway. The passenger ferry links Paihia and Russell in about 15 minutes, running all day, while a car ferry crosses from Opua to Okiato for drivers. Out among the islands, cruises, sailing trips and water taxis — mostly from Paihia — do the rest, with island stops at Urupukapuka. It's a scenic way to travel. See our island cruises guide.
Cars, tours & walking
Paihia is small and walkable, with cruises and the ferry on its doorstep. A car is useful for reaching Kerikeri, the beaches and Haruru Falls, and for exploring at your own pace, with rentals in Paihia and at Kerikeri Airport. For the far north, a guided tour is the way to go, as rental cars can't use Ninety Mile Beach. See our Cape Reinga guide.
Getting around: your questions
A mix works best. Paihia is compact and walkable, and the passenger ferry to Russell and the many cruises and tours cover the water. A car is handy for Kerikeri, the beaches and day trips, and a car ferry (Opua–Okiato) links the two sides of the bay. Many visitors combine a car with boat trips. See our Northland day trip.
The quickest way is the frequent passenger ferry from Paihia wharf — about a 15-minute scenic ride straight into Russell, running through the day and evening. If you're driving, take the car ferry from Opua (south of Paihia) across to Okiato, near Russell. Foot passengers rarely need a car in small, walkable Russell. See our Russell & Paihia guide.
Not essential if you base yourself in Paihia, since cruises, tours and the Russell ferry all leave from there. But a car gives useful freedom for Kerikeri, the beaches, Haruru Falls and exploring at your own pace — and Cape Reinga is best done by guided tour regardless. See our where to stay guide.
By boat — the islands are reached on cruises, sailing trips, water taxis and sea kayaks, mostly departing Paihia (with Russell pick-ups). Some cruises stop at Urupukapuka Island for a swim and walk. There are no bridges to the islands, so getting afloat is part of the fun. See our island cruises guide.
Because Cape Reinga is about three hours away and rental cars aren't allowed on Ninety Mile Beach, the far north is best visited on a full-day guided tour that handles the driving, the beach and the dunes. It's the safe, easy and enjoyable way to reach the top of the country. See our Cape Reinga guide.