Our fourth trip on Tucker and just as special as the very first more than 10 years ago. She is an awesome ship with a super crew. Take your togs,... read more towel & sunscreen and enjoy a fun filled, relaxed day out in " the bay". I had the best birthday ever. Thanks a bunch guys 🙂

  This was one of the best experiences and I would highly recommend it for everyone. The staff were friendly and so welcoming, chatting easily with everyone and sharing their experiences.... read more Absolutely loved the day with them on the ship and seeing how a sailboat works. It was a great way to see the Bay of Islands and we had an awesome time swimming in a Bay.

  A marvellous day. In awe of the skilful and friendly crew (Skipper Ben, ably assisted by Jess, Michelle and Abby) who made it a day to remember. Scones and lunch... read more delicious and plentiful too. Such a great cause too, supporting young people to find their best selves through team work and onboard experience. Thanks again for a wonderful day.

  Great experience. make sure you take the opportunity to help hoist sails and rigging.
Was a good windy day so we got some good sailing in.
The crew were awesome... read more and engaged with us.
Nibbles and drinks available if you want.
I would highly recommend this attraction, give it a go you wont be disappointed.

  Wow... this trip is amazing. We had the best time, the ship was beautiful, Captain Ben and his all female crew were awesome, so friendly and accommodating. The kids (and... read more adults if they wanted) could climb up the rigging, swing off a rope into the water and even captain the ship. We stopped off at an island, had a fabulous morning tea and lunch on board and of course sailed around the Bay of Islands. These summer cruises are not the main purpose, the money raised from these trips goes towards helping Northland’s youth... so great experience snd great cause.

  An exceptional experience and something we would do again we did a road trip from Christchurch to Northland and this was the highlight. Awesome day out, great crew, exceptional food... read more and an outstanding experience. Highly recommended best thing we did all holiday on our 4000km road trip !

  Unbelievably fabulous day. Welcoming crew, could do as much or as little as you liked to help with the rigging etc.
We were encouraged to don a harness and provided... read more tuition to climb the rigging and bow sprit, with photo opps galore.
Outstanding commentary of both the ship and the Bays we sailed by. As we headed out of Russell, some diesel power plus sail, the return home was purely by peaceful sail.
Lunch was perfect - marinated barbequed chicken with salad, potatoes and bread if you chose. Bar available. The highlight was the stops though - that day we sailed it was Waiwaitorea Island. Clear waters, easy to see the bronzewhaler that coasted by a couple of times, warm water, swing into the water, beach or climb the hill for second-to-none views of the Bay of Islands. Just couldnt have been better.
Great value we thought and a great charity doing outstanding work with our younger people in the less busy season.
Also blessed with the godfather of the ship; one of the two builders, so you can imagine the richness his stories added to our perfect day too.
Others comments about this being the highlight of their trip are echoed by us.

  We took the sunset cruise with appx 25 passengers. The crew were friendly, knowledgeable and organised.
They served antipasto platters and beverages were available from a cash... read more bar.

If you feel up to it you can climb the rigging and haul the sails.

Fun in the sun.

  Our family trip on the R Tucker Thompson was possibly the most fantastic thing we did all year! The crew are wonderful and very knowledgable. We helped to rig the... read more ship, steer and even climbed to the front of the bow sprit and the rigging - including our 10 year old son and 12 year old daughter who both made it to the yard arms, about 20m up the mast! We stopped at a gorgeous bay and lept from the ship via a swing tied to the yard arm. We went on to collect Kina and then ate them on board after the marvalous lunch provided by the crew. Under sail the ship made nearly no noise. A beautifully tuned and smooth ride. Hats off to the crew and the build of the ship.

Go, do it, you won't regret!

  This was definitely the highlight of our trip!

The ship was gorgeous and the crew felt like family by the time we disembarked. Knowing that we... read more were contributing to a worthwhile cause while having fun gave us the warm fuzzies too.

Kina diving at the island stopover was such an adventure and the rope swing jumps off the ship a ton of fun.

Thanks for a memorable time Russ, Terry and the lovely team.

To anyone thinking about booking a sailing trip or looking for a day jam packed with entertainment.. you can't go wrong with these guys.

  Absolutely fabulous. Excellent value . Non profit organisation With proceeds used for education of northland children sailing experience team building .
We experienced great sailing with all sails used climbed... read more up mast and bow sprit.
Cheese and crackers etc provided .
Crew were amazing well done!

  This a must do experience on a beautiful ship with a friendly crew! The fruit and cheese platter was divine too. I can't wait to go back and... read more do a full day trip

  We did the full day tour. 10am - 3.30pm. This makes for a truly amazing day out and something I would highly recommend to others. We were a group of... read more families with children so I wasn’t sure how it would go but all the kids absolutely loved it and want to go again! Great value for money.
We booked it online and it was super easy as you just show up to the pier and show your email confirmation to the crew. We had around 25(?) people on board and there was more than enough room for everyone to find their own seating space on deck and move around. There’s also plenty of room to store your bags down below.
The crew were incredible - friendly, chatty, knowledgeable and funny but also clearly experienced. An absolute highlight of the trip. They are also wonderful with kids. Our kids are 7-11yrs but there were younger on board also.
The sail out was beautiful as you get to see the true beauty of the bay of islands. There’s plenty to see on the way and also plenty of time to take a turn climbing the riggings if you wish (harnesses are provided and kids and adults all had a blast). The trip out includes a morning tea of scones with jam/cream and tea/coffee/hot chocolates all made and served by the crew. After about 1.5hrs sailing (which went by so fast!), we put down anchor in a bay. From there, you can stay on the boat, swim around near the boat, or be taken by dinghy to the nearby island. Going to the island meant you could take a short bush walk or just swim from the shore. I’m told some people saw some cool fish etc using their snorkels. After about an hour, the crew will return to pick you up and take you back to the ship where lunch is ready for you. I assume it varies each day but we had beautifully cooked/marinated chicken pieces with potato salad and pasta salad, plus bread. There was plenty! Next there was time to get the rope swing out and several gave it a go before it was time to set sail back to Russell. This was much slower going due to the wind but made for a relaxing trip back with the kids able to sit on the bow (harnessed in) or climb the rigging again. We pulled in to the wharf at exactly 3.30pm.
For those wondering, there’s a perfectly good but compact toilet on board that flushes etc.
The activities to do on the ship really helped break up what could otherwise be a long day on the water. They sell a range of fizzy drinks and alcohol, as well as merchandise, which you can pay for with cash or eftpos.
I would recommend - taking togs and towel, plenty of sunscreen! (there’s no real shade on deck however you don’t notice the heat as the wind when you’re moving is lovely and cool), money, a water bottle (water is available onboard but easier to have your own bottle I should think), snorkel and mask (they have a few on board to borrow but not many and it’s worth having just in case), wetsuit (if you feel the cold in the water), hat.
Jandals were easy to get around in and easy to take off and on when getting on and out of the dinghy - note the deck can also get really hot once the sun gets on it.
This really is a must do experience when you visit the Bay of Islands!

  We had the most amazing day aboard the R Tucker Thompson and were blessed to sail with Russ himself. What a wonderful gent - he has given New Zealand the... read more most treasured of gifts with this boat.
The 25 guests were welcomed warmly and we were invited to do as much or as little as we liked - or simply watch the scenery of the beautiful islands and coves unfold before us.
Helming, hoisting sails, climbing the rigging - you can do it all then swing from a monkey ball in to the sea for a snorkel.
Morning tea of tea, coffee, scones and cream and a bbq chicken and salad lunch - such a relaxing day, we will all ask permission to come aboard again on another trip.

  Had an excellent time, we've done this twice now, once in 2018 and now Dec 2020 and it was a great day, if you have kids they will love being... read more able to help with sailing the boat, the staff are very nice, engaging, and accommodating.

  A truly wonderful way to spend the evening. Fantastic views, climb the rigging and take the wheel. Then nibbles and a glass of wine, perfect loved it.

  What an awesome experience for us and our son. We had a fantastic day and love that we could support the trust.

  Amazing day out on the water with a great crew. Good fun climbing the rigging and helping hoist the sails and steer the shop. Really nice lunch and swim at... read more the island.
Website could do with a bit more info on what to bring and I would have been interested in purchasing some merch but it wasn't really offered.

  It was the best ever boating experience. Fantastic Captain Wayne and crew! Friendly, helpful and also relaxed at the same time. Make sure you brave going up and out on... read more the riggings! Would do this trip again and again. Good morning tea and lunch. Great value for money and your money helps young people from the region. What more can you wish for .....a great experience and helping others at the same time!

  Climb the rigging is so much fun, captain is funny as well, nice cruise, so relaxing, definitely recommended

  An excellent day sailing the Bay of Islands from Russell. The crew was knowledgable, safety first, skilled, friendly, and adventurous. Included - a lovely lunch, coffee, tea , scones... read more and a glass of local wine if you like and you are well fed. Walk it off on an island stop and think about a wander around Russell upon return. Good day for all ages.

  Our ship only had 8 passengers but it was a very fun experience. Our captain Tim (CapTim), was very welcoming and knowledgeable about the surrounding area and loved to joke... read more with us, as did the crew. It was a wonderful day sailing around the Bay of Islands, perfect for a solo traveler. We were provided with scones and tea/coffee for a snack, and then around lunchtime, we were able to go ashore to explore a beach/walk around a bit while the crew prepared lunch. After lunch, we were able to go for a swim and jump off a swing rope into the water! The water was extremely warm and very salty. I would highly recommend this trip for anyone looking for a relaxing day, wanting good company, and wanting to get to know the Bay of Islands better.

  We are a family of 5 with three kids ranging from 12 to 4 and had a fabulous day sailing on the R Tucker Thompson. The crew were so... read more attentive to us and there were many new experiences for the kids to enjoy. We had a stunning encounter with dolphins and at lunchtime we anchored at an island that you could explore. The food was delicious and it's a great cause to support. I highly recommend this trip.

  We booked the R. Tucker Thompson as a cruise excursion from RCCL's Ovation Of The Seas. We had a great time on this tall ship even though the day... read more was a bit breezy and cloudy. The crew were friendly and helpful. The guests were able to help hoist the sails, climb the rigging and go out on the bowsprit nets. Delicious scones and a BBQ lunch were served on board. The boat anchored off of a scenic island and guests had the option to explore the island or relax on board. We were fortunate enough to have several dolphins swim and jump alongside the boat, making for some great pictures. We highly recommend the R. Tucker Thompson.

  We sailed on the R. Tucker Thompson. It was such an amazing time. The master and crew were so welcoming and engaging. They would answer any questions that you had.... read more They allowed passengers to climb the rigging, help hoist and furl sails, sit on the bowsprit and swim off of the ship. We stopped at an island for lunch. The lunch, and the morning tea and scones were delicious. Much of the proceeds go to funding youth programs onboard. I highly recommend it for everyone!

  We had the best experience ever on the R Tucker Thompson as the day was sunny and the seas smooth. We were able to help set the sails and walk... read more out to the front of the ship on the netting which was truly exciting. Both morning tea and lunch were great and most of the guests either had a swim or took the tender to the beach in the cove where we set anchor for lunch. We the set sail and sailed the Bay of Islands for the next 2 hours where we both had the chance to steer the ship. We both would like to thank Wayne and his crew for such a fantastic experience and making it a unforgettable day that we will both remember for the rest of our lives.

  What a lovely way to spend the day as well as a fantastic ship the crew were amazing and really friendly will be back on board if I'm ever back... read more at bay of Islands