Of all the islands best suited to navigating via sailboat, sailing in New Zealand perhaps takes the cake as the most idyllic coastal landscape that the world has to offer. With its sloping coastline and a horizon molded by verdant, monumental mountains, there’s nothing quite like this humble tiny island amidst the gentle, blue Pacific.
Many boating enthusiasts will travel to Australia and New Zealand as part of their sailing bucket list. However, beginner sailors should know some things before looking at yacht sales in New Zealand, namely, what your route should look like and what sights are an absolute must-see.
There is just so much to cram into a coastal voyage about New Zealand, but the sights you’ll find below are genuine ones you won’t want to miss.
A Guide to Sailing in New Zealand
PicturesquePperspectives at the Bay of Islands
Our guide to sailing in New Zealand starts at the northernmost sights of North Island and works down to the nation’s breathtaking South Island. While some sailors may claim that South Island is far more ethereal than New Zealand’s North Island, witnessing the Bay of Islands situated north of Auckland will likely put that claim to shame.
The Bay of Islands is home to a plethora of New Zealand’s most beautiful beaches and islands, as well as some precious cultural sites, like Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where New Zealand’s Treaty of Waitangi was signed, sealing the nation’s independence from colonial rule.
You may also get to see some wild whales and dolphins in the crystal clear waters around Paihia Wharf!