Paihia

Paihia (Pop 1770)  is the main tourist town in the Bay of Islands in the far north of the North Island of New Zealand. It is located close to the historic towns of Russell, and Kerikeri, 60 kilometres north of Whangarei.

With shimmering safe waters and superb beaches, Paihia is a good place to be based for your Bay of Islands experience. Take a relaxing walk along unspoilt beaches, take a guided tour through historical sites or go fishing.

If adventure is what you seek, perhaps try skydiving, parasailing, scuba diving or kayaking. Paihia is the place of friendly locals, happy cafés and people enjoying life.

Whether it is swimming with delightful dolphins, taking in a spot of retail therapy or just lazing under a tree, Paihia is the place for it. Its also where New Zealand's first game of cricket was held.

Rich in culture, history and natural resources, Paihia is the place of friendly locals, happy cafes and people enjoying life whether it is swimming with dolphins, taking in a spot of retail therapy, bush walking or just lazing on the beach.

Known as the jewel of the magnificent Bay of Islands, with shimmering safe waters and superb beaches, there are plenty of recreational activities in among the 144 islands: sail, fish, swim, dive, snorkel, charter a launch or paddle a sea kayak around the islands.

Paihia is the perfect stepping stone into the Bay of Islands, and a wonderful place for people of all ages to visit.

Nearby is the historic settlement of Waitangi to the north, and the residential and commercial areas of Haruru Falls/Watea to the west; the township of Opua and the small settlement of Te Haumi to the south.

Paihia  is served by various bus/coach operators providing regular daily services from Auckland, Kaitaia, Kaikohe, Kerikeri and Auckland.

Air New Zealand Link operates regular daily air services to Kerikeri from Auckland.

There are no passenger train services from Paihia to Kaitaia, Kerikeri, Russell, Whangarei or Auckland.