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Sundowner Sailing Cruise— 2 Hour Sail, Swim Stop | Bay of Islands

5.0(32)Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 32 reviews2 hFree cancellationBy Barefoot Sailing Adventures
Board the boat at Paihia Beach

About this activity

There's a special kind of evening that only happens on the water — the light going gold, the sail filling, the noise of the day dropping away behind you. The Sundowner Cruise is two hours of exactly that.

Departing directly from Paihia beachfront at 5pm — the boat comes to you, pulling up to the beach so you step aboard from the shoreline — No hustle of a busy wharf, no waiting in line.

We head off for our swim destination, the crew anchors in a sheltered bay for a swim stop — calm water, no crowds.

From here you'll sail the inner Bay of Islands as the sun is going down. Just the sea breeze, the sound of wind in the sails, and a view that earns its reputation.

A complimentary non-alcoholic drink is included. You'll be back in Paihia around 7pm, in plenty of time for dinner.

This is a premium cruise with limited capacity — maximum 20 guests — which offers a fun and engaging experience where you actually get to feel like part of the crew, not lost in the crowd.

What's included

  • ✓- Departs from Paihia beachfront — the boat comes to you
  • ✓- Sail the inner Bay of Islands at golden hour — sea breeze, wind in the sails, the town behind you
  • ✓- Immersive, limited-capacity sailing cruise-max 20. A fun evening adventure, not a sightseeing bus.
  • ✓- Sheltered anchorage swim stop in calm, clear water
  • ✓- Complimentary drink included — spot historical landmarks along the shoreline

Meeting and pickup

  • Meet us at Paihia Beach, the boat anchors right on the shore line. You will see the Barefoot Sailing Adventures catamaran about half way along the beach, you will know you are in the right place, you will see it as soon as you get to the beach.

Good to know

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Boarding is from the beach — which requires you to be steady on your feet and able to manage using a boarding ladder without physical assistance. You will step from the sand into shallow water, then onto a boarding ladder to get onto the catamaran. In some conditions (such as a very low tide) a dinghy may be used to get from shore to the boat.
  • Swim Stop - to participate in swimming from the boat you must be able to swim competently unassisted as it is a deep water swim from the boat
  • Non-swimmers are very welcome onboard. We have lifejackets if you wish to wear one during the sailing time.
  • Children are very welcome aboard. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 5 (including infants) require a ticket to board.
  • If you're unsure whether this works for you, please contact us before booking. We'd rather help you to make the right choice, than have you find out at the water's edge.
  • Not recommended for people with poor mobility

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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