Creme de la Cream Trip

The best way to appreciate the Bay of Islands is by water, so we booked an all-day cruise on the Cream Trip. The trip is named after the old route boats followed to deliver essential supplies and mail to island residents.

We departed from the small resort town of Paihia and cruised to and around over a dozen of the 150+ islands in the huge Bay of Islands.

Early morning clouds and rain subsequently turned into a beautiful summer day and thankfully much calmer seas.


Our entertaining skipper gave us geological, wildlife and history lessons along the way and shared colorful anecdotes about Captain James Cook's many discoveries. We believe most of his stories were reasonably true.

Check out the eyelashes on this turtle.


Although conditions didn't permit swimming with the dolphins, the playful creatures gave us a good show nonetheless.



A highlight of the day was cruising through the famed Hole in the Rock.