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Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sailing on R. Tucker Thompson Including BBQ Lunch
Badge of ExcellenceBay of Islands, New Zealand
From $107.99
Select Date and Travelers
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
- 5 hours 30 minutes
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Sail the Bay of Islands on a working tall ship aboard the famed ‘R. Tucker Thompson,’ built in the tradition of a 100-year-old Northland schooner. Ply the waters of the pristine bay, where you can help hoist the sails, climb the rigging or simply relax on board, then swim while anchored in a sheltered bay in the maritime park. Enjoy morning tea and a barbecue lunch, with an optional complimentary ferry ride from Paihia to Russell, where your vessel departs.
- Half-day R. Tucker Thompson tall ship cruise in the Bay of Islands
- Sail the waters on a replica vintage schooner
- Bite into fresh scones, sip cream tea and enjoy a BBQ lunch served on board
- Anchor at a secluded bay for a swim
- Includes round-trip ferry transport from Paihia to Russell, if option selected
What's Included
- Cruise on board the "R. Tucker Thompson" tall ship
- Coffee and/or Tea
- BBQ lunch
- Hotel pick up and drop off
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Russell Wharf, Russell, Bay of Islands27 The Strand, Russell 0202, New Zealand
Departs Russell Wharf: Complimentary ferry tickets avail from any Paihia Info centre by 9.15am. Depart 9.30am Paihia, boarding in Russell 9.45am Returns Russell wharf 3.30pm. Ferries back to Paihia depart every 20 min. Some delays *Cruise ship passengers please check ship tender times before booking
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Make your way to the Russell wharf and board the tall ship R. Tucker Thompson, a working Northland schooner that has sailed the world. If departing from Paihia, you’ll take the 30-minute Fullers Bay Belle Ferry across to Russell (round-trip ferry ticket included if selected at booking).
Embark on a 5.5-hour sailing tour through the Bay of Islands, and enjoy the New Zealand tradition of morning tea with freshly baked scones and Devonshire tea brewed in the galley. You can take the helm, help set the sails or just catch the breeze on the spacious deck while you listen to tales from the crew about the tall ship's adventures at sea.
Your skipper anchors the R. Tucker Thompson in a sheltered cove at lunchtime. Step ashore at one of the bay’s secluded islands or swing from the yardarm and splash into the water for a swim. With all this sea air and activity you'll have a hearty appetite, taken care of by a tasty barbecue lunch cooked on board.
Then climb the rigging to keep a lookout for fairy penguins, dolphins and seabirds on the return to Russell.
Embark on a 5.5-hour sailing tour through the Bay of Islands, and enjoy the New Zealand tradition of morning tea with freshly baked scones and Devonshire tea brewed in the galley. You can take the helm, help set the sails or just catch the breeze on the spacious deck while you listen to tales from the crew about the tall ship's adventures at sea.
Your skipper anchors the R. Tucker Thompson in a sheltered cove at lunchtime. Step ashore at one of the bay’s secluded islands or swing from the yardarm and splash into the water for a swim. With all this sea air and activity you'll have a hearty appetite, taken care of by a tasty barbecue lunch cooked on board.
Then climb the rigging to keep a lookout for fairy penguins, dolphins and seabirds on the return to Russell.
Russell
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Bay of Islands
5 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Infant seats available
- Most travelers can participate
- Please talk to us about any physical disabilities. We try hard to accommodate all travelers!
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
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Featured review
Jeannet_L
Wonderfully positive and inspired young crew. Instead of rushing from photo op to photo op, you truly experience a great day. Lots of participation possible, but never required. We even raced another tall ship for a bit (our crew knew the folks on it) which made for some fun sailing. Cannot recommend more highly, as this non-profit also support sailing trips for youth up north. The scenery is breathtaking.
Reviews
5.0
292 reviews
Ryan_E, Apr 2024
This was an amazing experience! The boat is beautiful and cool to check out. The crew were all very friendly and helpful. The food was really good, and the service was good. The money helps support kids learning how to sail too which is great. I’d highly recommend this experience.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thanks for sailing with us and making a difference to the lives of Northland youth. We appreciate your kind review.
Johanna_F, Apr 2024
Excellent experience!!!
I highly recommend this sailing tour to anyone who is visiting the Bay of Islands.
The four person crew did a great job keeping us all safe & entertained.
We saw a pod dolphins right next to the ship.
A very fun & memorable adventure.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Kia ora, thanks for your kind review. We're thrilled you enjoyed sailing with us.
WayneandCam_M, Mar 2024
Everything about the whole R.Tucker-Thompson experience was rewarding. It was my wife's birthday and she wanted to go out on the water. Sailing on such an old time square rigged sailing vessel was just the perfect choice. The crew were very nice and capable and contributed a lot to the enjoyment of the day. Really got a kick out of taking the helm and getting a helmsman's feel for the sailing capacity which was impressive especially on the wind in my opinion. I have recommended it to many friends and family and would do it again .
Great thing you have got going there guys.
Wayne McCarthy
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Kia ora Wayne, thanks for your kind review and for recommending us to your friends and family, it is much appreciated. We're delighted you enjoyed sailing with us.
Jeannet_L, Mar 2024
Wonderfully positive and inspired young crew. Instead of rushing from photo op to photo op, you truly experience a great day. Lots of participation possible, but never required. We even raced another tall ship for a bit (our crew knew the folks on it) which made for some fun sailing. Cannot recommend more highly, as this non-profit also support sailing trips for youth up north. The scenery is breathtaking.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thanks for your kind review, we're delighted you enjoyed sailing with us and had the opportunity to have a fun race with the Spirit of NZ.
Laura_F, Mar 2024
Amazing day. Great crew, learnt really interesting history and had loads of fun on this sailing trip. BBQ lunch was good and plentiful. Boat was very cool. They’re a non profit organisation who use the trip proceeds for youth education on sailing, leadership, etc., so all for a great cause too. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Kia ora, thank you for your kind review and for supporting our youth programme.
darrel_g, Mar 2024
A fantastic trip highly recommended. The crew were great ,helpful and friendly as well as informative. Lunch was great too . A throughly enjoyable day. Was great sailing on this type of ship much better than the modern boats.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you for sailing with us and for your kind review, we appreciate it. Come sailing with us again!
Liam_I, Feb 2024
Fantastic experience with a great crew. The boat isn't too big so not loads of people. The crew were highly knowledgeable, very kind and encouraging to get involved! Food was great, the shire excursion, and the rope wing off the side of the boat was brilliant too! The fact that it's all for a good cause and a charitable trust makes it extra special.
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Thank you for your kind review, we love hearing stories like this. Thanks for supporting our kaupapa and making a difference to the lives of Northland youth.
Linda_G, Feb 2024
I always wanted to sail on tall ship and now I have. The best bit was sailing under full sail with only the sound of the wind and sea.
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Thanks for your kind review. We're delighted you enjoyed your first tall ship sailing experience.
julie_I, Feb 2024
An amazing day, the most beautiful scenery and we were given the opportunity to participate in setting the sails and steering the ship. The crew made it a unique experience!
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Kia ora, thanks for your kind review. Come sailing with us again!
Joanna_B, Feb 2024
A fab day out. Who doesn’t want to sail on a tall sailing ship, swim in the Pacific , eat a fab lunch ( coeliac) in my case, have a sneaky beer and all in the aid of giving needy kids a rare and valuable treat in life and team skills and n the off peak season. Do it !!!!
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Thank you for sailing with us, and making a difference to the lives of Northland youth! We appreciate your kind review.
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Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sailing on R. Tucker Thompson Including BBQ Lunch
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5 hours 30 minutes
Free Cancellation
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$107.99
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