Paihia Harbour
Paihia Harbour
4.5
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Top ways to experience Paihia Harbour
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
80 within 5 kms
Attractions
29 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,228 reviews
Excellent
661
Very good
475
Average
81
Poor
8
Terrible
3
Crayeater
Hamilton, New Zealand125 contributions
Nov 2020
After spending the day in Cape Reinga it was only a brief stay in Paihia for me but still a great way to spend an evening. Paihia is pretty and easy to walk around and, no matter how brief your stay is, catch the passenger ferry across to Russell. In the evening you just buy your ticket from the crew as you jump on the boat, the picturesque trip takes 15min and is a bargain at $15 return. The crew were friendly and Russell is worth a walk around even if you don't have a dinner booking at one of the busier restaurants. Last boat headed back at 10pm the evening I was there.
Written December 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jenny Y
Brisbane Q447 contributions
Feb 2020
We spent 2 weeks in Paihia recently and the weather was idyllic.We took boat trips out amongst the islands and swam with the dolphins. Plenty of wonderful restaurants around the harbour area also. We would ho
Written March 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike W
Brampton, Canada16 contributions
Mar 2020
We explored the many shops and enjoyed some of the restaurants in this harbour town. As we were only here three days, we could not visit them all. We were able to take the walk-on ferry over to Russell and explore its fine shops and restaurants one afternoon. Paihia has a lovely beach but can be inundated with cruise ship passengers mid-afternoon so we planned our activities in town for late afternoon. For example, we booked an excellent experience with the Rogue Pony Tours for the morning. We stayed at the Paihia Pacific Resort Hotel so the harbour was easy walking distance for us.
Written March 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anse P
2 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
We loved it! Stayed at Busby Manor. Highly recommended. Visited Russell via the car ferry, had the most delicious lunch at The Duke of Edinburgh and visit the printing museum as well as the Russell Museum . So informative. KeriKeri market on the Saturday is a must as well as the Parrot Place. Hururu Falls a short walk and beautiful. Lovely walks on the beach every day . Sadly we missed the hole in the wall boat trip but it remains on our bucket list. Worth it!
Written June 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mytravadv
Brisbane, Australia446 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
The bay view is really the only plus for this place. It's just for tourists to catch the boats to Russell and Bay of Island Cruises.
There is a nice restaurant to the north of the pier that has good coffee and nice views though.
Plenty of shops to get souvenirs and provisions.
There is a nice restaurant to the north of the pier that has good coffee and nice views though.
Plenty of shops to get souvenirs and provisions.
Written March 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jotum
Knoxville, TN1,508 contributions
Feb 2020
This is a small town. Our cruise ship anchored out and we came into the harbor and pier by tender. The facilities seemed new and clean. There were a number of shops around and usually when cruise ships are in they have a farmer’s market across the street which was well represented with lots of crafts. You can also arrange tours here if you did not do it in advance.
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
max_1966
Tauranga, New Zealand68 contributions
Nov 2022
Terrible service. The ferry at 8.30am this morning was cancelled without any warning or explanation. Almost missed my flight from Kerikeri airport because of the unreliability of this company. Luckily the other ferry was running , but their next ride was at 9am, therefore I barely made it to the airport. I strongly recommend not to trust "The Happy Ferry" - they are a sad bunch actually.
Written November 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kawkaw
Brisbane Region, Australia24 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Ecocruz 2 night, 3 day cruise on the Manawanui with John (Jochen) and Griffin - amazing food from a little galley; great snorkeling and swimming. A great way to experience the Bay of islands. Highly recommend the cruise.
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SAB5859
Banff, UK4,708 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Our cruise ship tender dropped us off and picked us up here, we also left and returned here on a boat tour. The pontoons and landing areas were in very good condition. There are shops, cafes/restaurants and tourist information at the harbour, it’s just a two minute walk to the main part of town where there are numerous shops and restaurants.
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Douglas R
Tenterden, UK878 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Good location to get boats and ferries to Russell. Small touristy location. Nice beaches and bars. Try Darryl’s Dinner Cruise.....a Must!
Look out for the great free WiFi at or even outside the local library.....works very well and always busy.
Local supermarket nearby has all the essentials at good prices.
Look out for the great free WiFi at or even outside the local library.....works very well and always busy.
Local supermarket nearby has all the essentials at good prices.
Written March 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi- how do I get from Auckland to Roturua stay a night in Roturua and then head on to Paihia stay a night there and then head back to Auckland on April 3 evening.
Written March 8, 2017
Hi, it's best driving, renting a car & from Auckland to rotorua is 2:40 mins by car or close to 8 hrs via a bus which will be a whole day wasted if travel by bus. If your staying one day you not gonna see much, we stayed 3 nights in rotorua & required more & were happy what we did. The same applies when going to Piahia Bay of Islands, from rotorua it's 5 1/2 hr drive, so many windy roads, plenty of things to do, good luck & enjoy ur holiday in April.
Written March 13, 2017
there are several hole in the rock cruises
fas tjet if you do not mind the bumps
The hole in the rock cruise which is more sedate and you often encounter dolphins
The cream trip that goes around the islands and also in the hole in the rock
They are all great trips note if the weather is rough you will not go into the hole just beside it
Written March 9, 2017
Are the New Years Eve fireworks held at the harbor? Where are the best places to view them?
Written April 4, 2016
Sorry we were not there for New Years Eve - spent it in Auckland. Great fireworks there from the Sky Tower building!
Written April 5, 2016
Paints or Russell, which is best to stay?
Written February 23, 2016
I would suggest Russell, its a little quieter but either is great
Written February 25, 2016
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