Learning for life through the sea
The R. Tucker Thompson is a working tall ship based in the Bay of Islands. We operate as a non-profit, providing Northland’s young people life-changing 7-day voyages. Over summer, we offer daily sailing trips to visitors to the Bay. All profits from our tourism activities help fund our youth development voyages.
Nau mai, haere mai, welcome on board!
Support the youth of Northland by sailing with us this summer. Experience a day on the water on the R. Tucker Thompson, a traditional gaff-rigged schooner with her own unique history. Choose to make it an active adventure, help hoist the sails, climb the rigging or just relax with a cold drink.
Looking for something different to do for you and your group this summer? Why not charter an entire tall ship? We charter the ship out privately for groups and schools.
We run 7-day Youth Development Voyages for the young people (aged 14-18) of Taitokerau Northland. These are life changing experiences, designed to build confidence, create teamwork and develop leadership.
What a calm day, we woke up to clear skies and calm seas ready for our first morning swim of the trip. Swimming a lap of the boat we were welcomed back with a quick warm rinse off before getting …
A stunning day greeted us, for the first day of voyage. Leaving the dock we got straight to work raising sail and set course for Army bay. Underway we learnt some of the safety rules and then got into a …
The swim was brisk, just a pink glimmer was rising over the hill, dark clouds racing over the sky and gusts of wind swinging the ship on her anchor. None of this slowed the team down, the trainees ready for …