All Carino Sailing Adventures are on board our purpose built 50ft catamaran and take place in and around the beautiful Bay of islands. Participants have the opportunity to help set and trim the sails and or sit back and relax and experience the spectacular scenery, fantastic sea life within the Bay of Islands Maritime Park.
Learn from our experienced crew to understand and appreciated the magic of wild dolphins and other wonders in the Bay of Islands. Watch our adopted dolphins “ Bad Jelly and Jim” or other dolphins we know by sight and their names.
We are conscious of the need to protect the dolphins and respect their habitat. Interaction with the dolphins (especially swimming) is at the dolphins’ invitation. (DOC regulations). Come sailing and discover the wild Dolphins, and the beautiful Bay of Islands.
This is your day sailing adventure: your relaxing day sail, your chance to feel the magic of Dolphins – Dolphin swim and /or watching, untouched beaches on island stopover, safe and easy snorkeling and beautiful island scenic walks.
The Waitangi Treay Grounds is Northland's greatest icon. A place where Maori and European came together to sign New Zealand's founding document the Treaty of Waitangi. The tour includes an introduction to Waitangi, a tour of the Information Centre, Gallery, Gift Shop, War Canoe, Carved House, Treaty House, Flagpole, Gardens and Grounds.
The interactive element with people who have direct links to the Treaty Grounds offers a perspective of the past and present and highlights the uniqueness of the Treaty Grounds in relation to the history of New Zealand.
North's Treaty of Waitangi Night Show is an evening production on the Waitangi Treaty Grounds the Bay of Islands. It combines Maori culture, live drama, sound and lights. This evening show covers the story of Kupe the first Maori chief to discover New Zealand through to present day. You will enjoy history unfolding with the meeting of two cultures and the signing of New Zealand's founding document. The story begins as Maori warriors materialize from the shadows to challenge the visitors. Then the 1000 year old story is told through the eyes of a grandparent speaking with a grandchild. Impressive lighting and sound effects accompany the tale adding a mysterious air to the evening performance. Stunning drama and vibrant Maori culture bring the story alive as visions of the past.
Meeting/ Pick up point: Depends on hotel location.
Duration: 2 hrs.
Start or opening time: 7.30pm.
Inclusion: Sound and light show at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds combining Maori culture and live drama, entrance fees.
Exclusion: Items of a personal nature, tips or gratuities for drivers or guide.
Cruise through the sheltered waters of the Bay of Islands on Dolphin Seeker, our purpose built dolphin and whale watching catamaran. Enjoy the large outdoor viewing decks as we cruise past the islands of the Bay. Keep a look out for common and bottlenose dolphins, whales and other marine life as we get you up close to the action from the comfort of Dolphin Seeker. Our catamaran is licensed by DOC (the Department of Conservation) for dolphin viewing.
Enjoy the views as you cruise past the Cape Brett Lighthouse, before arriving at the majestic Hole in the Rock hold your breath as the skipper navigates through the narrow space and admire the rock walls which soar above you. Take in the Grand Cathedral Cave before heading back into the sheltered waters of the Bay.
A Cape Reinga tour for those who wish to spend time enjoying the magnificent natural wonders of the North. You will be over-awed by the grandeur of the mighty Kauri trees, the expanse of Ninety Mile Beach and the mystique of Cape Reinga.
There are numerous stops for you to take in the scenic highlights and activities. They start with the easy twenty minute boardwalk through the Puketi Kauri Forest. Thunder along Ninety Mile Beach to the top of New Zealand and wander out to the lighthouse. Ride our sand sledges if you dare! Take a swim and dig for shellfish. See the picturesque village of Mangonui.
When travelling down 90 Mile Beach, try digging for shellfish (conditions permitting) and enjoy an exclusive BBQ lunch stop overlooking the stunning Houhora Harbour.
Your Coach Captain's local knowledge and informative commentary will make this trip one to remember.
A cruise designed for both nature lovers and those wanting to see all the highlights of the magnificent Bay Of Islands in one day. This 6 hour cruise follows the path of the original 1927 ''Cream Trip'' and will take you on a journey around the islands of the Bay - delivering essential supplies and mail to island residents.
This tour also includes Cape Brett Hole in the Rock, and the opportunity to view the dolphins in their natural environment. See the playful bottlenose and common dolphins who take great delight in racing alongside Tangaroa and showing off their aerobic flips. If you didn't include dolphin swim as part of your original purchase, you can upgrade on-board. If you did, then you are invited to swim with the dolphins (conditions permitting). Experience their unique personalities up-close. Wetsuits and snorkel gear provided.
The cruise also includes passing through the spectacular Cape Brett Hole in the Rock (conditions permitting) viewing the infamous Black Rocks and historical Marsden Cross. Keep a look out for marine wildlife including whales, seals, dolphins and penguins on the cruise as we explore the scenic walking tracks of Urupukapuka Island. Island activities include safe swimming, nature walks, kayaking and snorkel hire.
Salt Air's Cape Reinga Fly/Drive ½ day tour is the alternative way to travel to the top of New Zealand to experience it's beauty, history and scenery from both the air and on land, with the added bonus of avoiding a long road trip if you are short on time.
The initial stage of the tour consists of a flight up to Cape Reinga via Northlands spectacular harbours, such as the Whangaroa Harbour and the Rangaunu Harbour. We also pass across some beautiful beaches such as Coopers Beach, Doubtless Bay and of course the famous Ninety Mile Beach. From Ninety Mile Beach we then fly inland where we land at our airfield, which is only 20km from the Cape Reinga lighthouse.
Once on the ground a comfortable air-conditioned mini-bus will meet the aircraft. It will take you on a 2½ hour tour around the top of New Zealand. After a 20 minute drive, we reach the Cape Reinga Lighthouse where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean. Our local guide will accompany you on your walk to the lighthouse, sharing the myths and legends or this very spiritual area. We then rejoin the vehicle for a short drive to Tapotupotu Bay where we enjoy freshly baked light refreshment. There is time for a stroll on the beach, and a quick swim if desired, then we move across to the Te Paki quicksand stream with its giant sand dunes; (we have sleds available for those who wish to experience the exhilaration of sliding down the sand dunes and try some sand surfing).
The return flight to the Bay of Islands includes some of the most spectacular coastal scenery Northland has to offer. You will fly over the Parengarenga Harbour and Great Exhibition Bay, which are only visible by air or by sea. This area is very remote and without a doubt one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand with it's pure white silica sand and crystal clear water. The flight also passes across the Houhora Harbour, the Cavalli islands, Kauri Cliff's golf course and the spectacular Bay of Islands.
This popular tour takes approximately three hours with one hour underground and involves a combination of walking and floating on an inner tube through a unique underground river system. As you prepare for your adventure your professional guide will ensure you are properly equipped and teach you some fun techniques before you climb down into nature's underground network for an enjoyable cave tubing experience of a lifetime.
Streams spill, twist, turn and join to build a river canyon. Glide with the water as it drops down the 'hidden' waterfall and tumbles down rocky chutes before sliding through vaulted limestone galleries to finally emerge into the dazzling green Waitomo forest.
Abseil 100 metres into the surreal Lost World for Waitomo's Ultimate Adventure. Descend slowly, bouncing and turning as the mist-filtered light gives surreal qualities to the strange plants and formations. The abseil into the Lost World is at least twice the height of any other cave at Waitomo and the beauty of this legendary cavern is unsurpassed. The descent takes about 30 minutes.
Enjoy a lunch with us down below before taking the wet way out! After lunch in probably the strangest setting you have ever eaten, you’ll head upstream, walking, swimming and climbing through cathedral-size vaults. You’ll see waterfalls, ancient whalebones and oyster fossils as well as the magnificent glow-worms. Emerge several hours later for a hot shower and a well-earned dinner BBQ meal near the cave before heading back to Waitomo. All drinks and meals are included in this awesome seven-hour trip.
Black Abyss is the ultimate Waitomo adventure and is the caving tour of choice for natural-born adrenaline junkies everywhere. Descend into the seemingly bottomless black depths of the glow worm studded Ruakuri Cave. This five-hour expedition combines abseiling the 35 metre shaft, climbing, whizzing down a flying fox and cave tubing underneath glow worms into one unforgettable journey. At every stage you're accompanied and supported by experienced caving guides who know and love this mind-blowing environment.