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Bay of islands sailing week & cruise, New Zealand / 17 - 31 Jan 2025

15 days / cat 3 regatta & cruise / EVENT #2518 / Te Kaihōpara: CREW POSITIONs AVAILABLE

overview

Imagine joining the race crew for one of New Zealand’s favourite regattas and following it up with a week of cruising in the same stunning location, in the Bay of Islands.

Join the race crew, led by our very own Olympic, Volvo Ocean Race, World Speed Record, Match Racing and ‘Maidan’ Skipper; Sharon Ferris-Choat for a week of high adrenalin racing on the water and fun ashore.

This 5-day sailing regatta followed by a 7-day cruise is the perfect chance to enjoy some of the magical islands of the Bay of Islands and northern New Zealand coastline at two different levels. With more than 100 entries expected the regatta is second to none, with fleet of all shapes and sizes.

A week of racing is followed by a week of cruising, providing the opportunity to relax, destress and reflect on the week on the water. The Bay of Islands is a cruising ground that offers numerous options for anchoring, exploring and enjoying this stunning part of New Zealand. Each day we will set a course for a new anchorage, that we select as a crew based on weather and comfort.

Cruising Passage plan options

The extensive Northland Coast includes 20+ island, bay and harbour anchorage options (in yellow)

CREW REGISTRATION

Secure your place on the crew with a 20% deposit.

SHARED CABIN: AUD$8,750 (PER BERTH)
PRIVATE CABIN: AUD$23,265 (INCLUDES 3 BERTHS)

15 days

Regatta & cruise DESCRIPTION

The regatta

What is Bay of Islands Sailing Week?

Bay of Islands Sailing Week is the biggest event of its kind in New Zealand – a multi-day sailing regatta primarily for keelboats, trailer yachts and multihulls. Established in 2003, this annual regatta is now a highlight of the sailing calendar for New Zealand sailors and a growing number of overseas sailors from Australia and the Pacific too.

When is it?

The regatta takes place in the week preceding Auckland & Northland Anniversary Weekend each year. In 2025 a 5-day regatta is planned from 20 - 24 January

Where does it take place?

As the name suggests, Bay of Islands Sailing Week is held in the spectacular Bay of Islands, on the east coast of Northland in the upper North Island of New Zealand. The location boasts superb sailing, stunning scenery, bountiful marine life and friendly locals.

Regatta Race Courses

Racing is held throughout the Bay of Islands, in three separate race areas.

  1. Outer Course for A, B, M & Young 88 divisions (Windward / Leeward and Bay Races)

  2. Middle/Inner Course for C, E & Sports Boats divisions (Windward / Leeward and Bay Races)

  3. Island Racing, all of which will sail one Bay Race a day.

and there’s the Beach Party…

One of the best-loved traditions of Bay of Islands Sailing Week is the Thursday-night Beach Party. In recent years this has been held on stunning Urupukapuka Island, courtesy of regatta sponsor Explore, who host the party at their Otehei Bay resort.

followed by The cruise

This is a relaxing retreat that takes in islands, bays, beaches, harbours, hikes, sea-life, fishing and the stunning island jewels of the world famous - Bay of Islands and Northland Coast. On this mini-expedition we will visit and explore up to 7 of the locations highlighted on the map above.

The Bay of Islands is a New Zealand enclave encompassing more than 140 subtropical islands next to the country's North Island. It’s known for its undeveloped beaches, big-game fishing and Maori cultural artefacts. It's also home to the 19th-century whaling port of Russell, whose waterfront promenade is lined with remnants from its days as the country’s first colonial capital. The Bay of Islands' calm, sandy beaches, abundant marine life and lush native forest make it a popular holiday destination for New Zealanders and international visitors.

This expedition is a combination of sailing, cruising, exploring, relaxing and discovering numerous special places that very few people get to in their lifetimes.

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED

Click the links above to review examples from previous sailing events across New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands.

HERE’S WHAT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE ONBOARD

  • Sailing: Hoisting, trimming and reefing both upwind (main, genoas, and jibs) and downwind sails (poled out headsails, spinnakers, gennakers and code 0’s (subject to weather).

  • Watch duties: Acting as watch captain (day and night), helming, navigating, checking weather and monitoring AIS and radar and for both traffic and rain squalls.

  • Weather: Downloading and analysing the latest weather forecasts and calculating best route to destination.

  • Navigation: Navigating, hazard identification, entering waypoints and calculating updated ETA’s.

  • Leadership: Watch roster planning, matching responsibility to experience, crew management and communication.

  • Safety: Familiarisation of all safety procedures, sail planning, storm preparation planning and abandon ship procedures.

  • Training: Use of PDF’s (Personal Flotation Devices), PLB’s (Personal Locator Beacons), safety tethers, dan buoy’s, storm drogue, liferaft and any other equipment required to ensure you remain safe in all conditions.

  • Personal wellbeing: Advice on how to take responsibility for managing clothing, hydration, sleep and nutrition to maintain your health and well being aboard.

  • Passage planning: Planning our arrival and route to safe harbour including timing with daylight (if required), weather factors, navigational hazards, communications / customs and sail/motor arrival plan.

Additional Media

Listen to the Ocean Sailing Podcast episode 117 interview with Sharon Ferris-Choat: From Troubled Student To Olympian, Volvo Ocean Race, Jules Vern Trophy and Extreme Cats

WEATHER IMPACT

With any regatta or expedition we have to plan around the weather. We always aim to plan our events to coincide with the optimum time of the year, for the best conditions. Safety and comfort of the crew and vessel, always takes priority over the original schedule. Sometimes we’ll need to adapt the schedule and modify plans, to maximise the onboard experience and enjoyment to keep everyone happy and safe.

Itinery

You can fly directly into Keri Keri (30 minutes by car from Opua) on the 17th of January 2025. Our crew will officially assemble for preparation and training on the 18th - 19th January, before the regatta begins on the 20th. We will be based at the Bay of Islands Marina in Opua for the regatta and and we will aim to depart for our cruising week on the 25th of January and head for the first of our island anchorages. You are welcome to stay onboard on the night of the 17th of January, but if you plan to arrive prior to the 17th of January, you will need to arrange accommodation ashore. 

Following the 5-day regatta, the goal is to take in the magic of the Bay of Islands and Northland Coast, stopping at a handful of scenic bays, anchorages and islands en-route, while managing around the weather to ensure a comfortable and safe 7-day cruise. Some of the sights you will encounter include some of the most stunning maritime scenery in New Zealand. We’ll aim to be tied up back at the Bay of Islands Marina in Opua by 12pm on the 31st of January.

Click the links above to review examples from previous sailing events across New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands.

GETTING TO AND FROM THE YACHT

Inclusions

Your crew package includes; all meals onboard, crew meals ashore in Opua on the first and final nights of the event, any crew meals at various stopover islands and ports, accommodation onboard, your Ocean Sailing Expeditions crew shirt, regatta entry fees, marina fees, the use of a PFD (personal floatation device), PLB (personal locator beacon), and a safety tether. Your bedding, a pillow and towel are also included along with suncream.

Private Cabins

There are 3 berth options available in singles and doubles. If you reserve a 3-berth cabin for the use of 2 or less people, the rate is the 3-berth rate, less a 10% discount.

Exclusions

Your crew package excludes; accommodation and other meals ashore, flights and transport to and from departure and arrival ports, alcohol, toiletries, clothing and wet weather gear. Its always recommended that you book flights with date flexibility incase of unforeseen changes due to weather or schedules. Accommodation options if you want to stay ashore either side of trip: AirBNB, Booking.com,  Wotif &  HomeAway.

Review sailing calendar for all events