10 Things to Do in the Bay of Islands with Kids© Northland Inc
10 Things to Do in the Bay of Islands with Kids

10 Best Things to Do in the Bay of Islands with Kids

© Northland Inc

Family Activities in the Bay of Islands

Ocean, islands and endless summer, the Bay of Islands is the ideal family escape. Just over three hours north of Auckland, the Bay of Islands and its towns of Paihia, Kerikeri, Kawakawa and Russell, feel a world away from the hustle and bustle. It’s a place to embrace nature with amazing dolphin cruises, stunning waterfalls, kauri walks and beaches. You’ll also find a few surprises along the way, from historical sites to chocolate factories. We’ll guide you through some of the best picks for families in this list of things to do in the Bay of Islands with kids.

For more advice on planning a family getaway, head over to The Guide to the Bay of Islands for Families.

1. Look Out for Dolphins on a Bay of Islands Cruise

See what the Bay of Islands is named after by taking one of the popular cruises, such as Fullers GreatSights. See some of the 144 islands in the bay, including a short stop on Urupukapuka Island with a stunning beach and bar/cafe – a great place to get ice cream! Throughout the cruise, your guides will be on the lookout for dolphins, whales and seals, giving you time to watch them if you’re lucky enough for an encounter. Being a five-hour trip, the half-day tour is varied enough to suit most attention spans. Find out more about cruises with Fullers GreatSights on Viator and Klook. Plus, check out more cruise options, including sailing, small-group cruises and more, in the 15 Best Cruises in the Bay of Islands.

Location: Trips depart from Paihia and Russell Wharves.

10 Things to Do in the Bay of Islands with Kids© NZPocketGuide.com

2. See the Giants of the Forest on the Manginangina Kauri Walk

Be awed by some of the largest trees in New Zealand on the Manginangina Kauri Walk. An easy trail suitable for families and even strollers, this 15-minute boardwalk loop showcases enormous kauri trees in the Puketi Forest. Alternatively, the Puketi Nature Trail a little further south is a similar walk but takes about an hour to complete. What’s more, guided nature tours of the forest and little-known sites are available with Puketi Adventures, offering insightful and unique experiences of this mesmerising forest. Check out more free activities in the 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in the Bay of Islands.

Location: The Manginangina Kauri Walk is approximately 20 km (12 mi) from Kerikeri via Pungaere Road.

10 Things to Do in the Bay of Islands with Kids© Northland Inc

3. Parasail Over the Bay

For families with a sense of adventure, try out parasailing in Paihia with Flying Kiwi Parasail. Children must only weigh over 20 kg (44 lbs) to join in, which with tandem and triple flights available, makes for a fun shared family experience. From high in the sky, see the many islands scattering the bay! The experience lasts approximately 1 hr 30 mins. See how the experience compares to the 5 Incredible Places to Do Parasailing in New Zealand!

Location: Trips depart from Paihia Wharf.

10 Things to Do in the Bay of Islands with Kids© NZPocketGuide.com

4. Learn About New Zealand History and the Māori Culture at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds

A must near the town of Paihia is the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. The grounds where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed are full of attractions and activities that are fun and educational for the whole family. Visit the interactive museum to learn about how New Zealand became a nation, check out some heritage buildings, watch Māori carvers, do a bushwalk and watch a Māori cultural performance in a carved meeting house. Find out more about the Waitangi Treaty Grounds on Viator and Klook. Plus, get more tips for visiting from The Waitangi Treaty Grounds: Visitor Tips & 5 Reasons to Visit.

Location: Tau Henare Drive, Waitangi, approximately 3 km (2 mi) from Paihia town centre.

10 Things to Do in the Bay of Islands with Kids© NZPocketGuide.com

5. Walk to the Beautiful Rainbow Falls

A popular and free thing to do in the Bay of Islands with kids is the Rainbow Falls Walk in Kerikeri. Admire a stunning 27 m (89 ft) waterfall on this easy 10-minute walk that is suitable for baby strollers. From Rainbow Falls, you can enjoy a 1 hr 30 min walk along the Kerikeri River Track to The Stone Store and Kemp House, which are fascinating historical sites with a family-friendly museum. Learn more about these attractions in the 15 Best Things to Do in Kerikeri.

Location: Rainbow Falls Road, approximately 4.5 km (3 mi) from Kerikeri town centre.

10 Things to Do in the Bay of Islands with Kids© NZPocketGuide.com

6. Do a Nature Cruise and Kayak Under a Waterfall

Entertain the kids on a cruise and kayaking tour with Bay of Islands Cruise & Kayak. Enjoy a relaxing nature cruise down the Waitangi River to see birds, fish and mangrove forest before arriving at the amazing Haruru Falls where your family can get up close to the falls on kayaks or stand-up paddleboards. The combination of the boat cruise and kayaking makes for a not-to-strenuous family outing. Find out more about Bay of Islands Cruise & Kayak on Viator and Klook.

Location: Tours depart from 1 Tau Henare Drive, Waitangi.

10 Things to Do in the Bay of Islands with Kids© Bay of Islands Cruise & Kayak

7. See the Glowworms at the Kawiti Glowworm Caves

For an experience almost like magic, delve into the glowworm caves of Kawiti Glowworm Caves just south of Kawakawa. A tour of this large limestone cave reveals amazing stalactites, stalagmites and thousands of glowworms. Learn about the interesting lifecycle of the glowworms and enjoy a short bushwalk too on this tour that lasts approximately 45-60 minutes. Note that this tour is not suitable for baby strollers. The Kawiti Glowworm Caves are also included in half-day guided tours with Mullarkey Tours and Bay of Islands Tours.

Location: 49 Waiomio Road, Waiomio, just off State Highway 1, approximately 21 km (13 mi) from Paihia.

10 Things to Do in the Bay of Islands with Kids© Bay of Islands Tours - Viator

8. Take a Day Trip to Urupukapuka Island

Take the Explore ferry from Paihia Wharf or Russell and enjoy an amazing family outing on Urupukapuka Island. The island is ideal for kids thanks to its sheltered shallow bay for swimming, fish to see when snorkelling by the wharf, a cafe/bar with garden games to play, kayaks and paddleboards to hire, and a number of walks around the island. With several sailings to the island throughout the day, you can stay for as little or as long as you please.

Location: Ferries depart from Paihia and Russell Wharves – see this page for ferry bookings.

10 Things to Do in the Bay of Islands with Kids© NZPocketGuide.com

9. Watch Chocolate Being Made at Makana Confections

In the quaint town of Kerikeri, Makana Confections is a boutique chocolate factory where you can watch the action! See the chocolatiers make all sorts of treats through the large windows in the gift shop, then treat the whole family to some irresistible hot chocolates in the cafe next door! Check out more experiences like this in the 10 Best Foodie Experiences in the Bay of Islands.

Location: 504 Kerikeri Road, Kerikeri.

10 Things to Do in the Bay of Islands with Kids© NZPocketGuide.com

10. Enjoy Some Family Beach Time

Finally, take some time to relax by swimming and building sandcastles at one of the Bay of Islands’ magnificent beaches. Popular picks include Oneroa Bay in Russell, The Strand Beach on the waterfront of Paihia, and Te Tii Bay at the northern end of Paihia.

10 Things to Do in the Bay of Islands with Kids© Northland Inc

More About the Bay of Islands with Kids

That’s it for our list of the best things to do in the Bay of Islands with kids. For more family fun, check out these insightful articles:

Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Travel Guide to the Bay of Islands for Families. Plus, plan the rest of your North Island antics with the 20 Best Things to Do on the North Island with Kids.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura S.

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

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