
Choose your tall ship experience
We are not-for-profit Charity, the surplus we make from our tourism sailings are used to subsidise places for young people from the region to take part on our 7-day youth development voyages over the winter. You get to have an amazing experience while also supporting a good cause.
Day Sails
Sailing on the R. Tucker Thompson was the best day of our holiday!
That’s what people say after sailing on board the R.Tucker Thompson, and not without good reason! It’s one of the few opportunities to go sailing on a working tall ship, in one of the most spectacularly beautiful parts of New Zealand, the Bay of Islands.
With the wind behind us, this is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to see the Bay; you can be sure your carbon footprint is minimal. Better still, with profits made from tourism going to support youth development, your day out is going to a good cause. Our day sails operate between the beginning of November and Easter holidays, after which time we revert to our youth development voyages.
- Freshly baked scones and cream tea from our galley
- Chance to take the helm, hoist the sails or climb the rigging
- Island stopover in sheltered bay (relax, swim, or expore ashore)
- Delicious BBQ lunch served on board
- Licensed cash bar on board with local wines and beers
- Share stories with our friendly crew
- Free ferry transfers to Russell on any ferry
Prices

Adult
NZ $159

Child
NZ $79.50
2 adult 1 child $340 save$57.50
2 adult 2 child $400 save $77
Includes morning tea, lunch and ferry transfers. Infants under 5 go free (no meals included)
Sailing Dates

Sailing Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 March 2021.
On other days the ship is available for charter or school sailings.
Sailing times
Departs:
9:30 am
Paihia (via passenger ferry)
10:00 am
Russell Wharf
Returns:
4:00 pm
Paihia (via passenger ferry)
3:30 pm
Russell Wharf

Sundowner Sailings
A perfect way to end the day !
This short Sundowner sail on board the tall ship R.Tucker Thompson is perfect if you don’t have time for a full day in the Bay but still want a unique tall ship experience. Departing from Russell wharf at 4.00pm, the trip is a relaxing sail through the Inner Bay around the area of Paihia, Waitangi and the Black Rocks.
Use your included ferry tickets and head over to Russell earlier in the day to explore this historic village before boarding the ship at 4.00 pm. After the sailing, you can choose to dine at one of the restaurants in Russell before heading home.
Scheduled trips are offered on Friday and Sundays but from Boxing Day until the first weekend in January, these sailings are offered daily. Outside of those dates, you can charter the ship for your evening sailing.
- Free ferry transfers to Russell on any ferry
- Shared antipasto platter
- Licensed cash bar on board with local wines and beers
- Chance to take the helm, help hoist the sails or ride the bowsprit
- Plenty of room to relax
Prices

Adult
NZ $67.50

Child
NZ $33.75
Sailing Dates
Scheduled Sundowner sails will be operating on Friday and Sunday from 1 March 2021.
On other days the ship is available for charter or school sailings.

Sailing times

Departs:
3:30 pm
Paihia (via Bay Belle)
4:00 pm
Russell Wharf
Returns:
6:00 pm
Paihia (via Bay Belle)
5:45 pm
Russell Wharf
Discovery Voyages
Discover the Bay, discover yourself!
The Bay of Islands is not only a place of stunning scenery, but rich in stories. It is a place of first arrivals from Polynesia and significant Māori settlement, home to early encounters with European explorers. A place of trade and industry, colonisation and subsequent wars. This turbulent past is barely visible today. Nowadays, the focus is on recovery and restoration, with landscapes being restored and native birds returned to the islands. What better way to discover this beautiful region than on board Taitokerau Northland’s own tall ship, the R. Tucker Thompson.
Experience the Bay of Islands
Normally the preserve of teenagers, now is your chance to come sailing on this beautiful tall ship and experience the Bay of Islands. For three days and two nights, you’ll get to explore the amazing history and stunning scenery of this beautiful part of Aotearoa New Zealand.

It was a wonderful trip
Katherine N

Scheduled voyages are available on these dates

1-3 December 2020
Fully Booked
15-17 March 2021
Fully Booked
22-24 March 2021
Places Available
Express your interest
Each place costs $995 per person for the 3-day voyage which includes all meals, bunk style accommodation and shared facilities. We can take a maximum of 10 people only (minimum of 7 required), so bring your friends and have an adventure you will remember for ever! These sailings are limited in availability so contact us now to secure your place.
How fit do I need to be?
What is the accomodation like?
What about showering?
What will we be doing on the voyage?
What about special dietary requirements?
What if the weather is terrible?
Charters

Cancellations and Refunds
If for any reason the ship does not sail on the day (due to bad weather or any other reason) then the next alternative day will be offered. If for some reason the alternative day does not suit, all payments will be refunded in full.
Covid-19
Coronavirus
The ship has Health & Safety plans in place to accommodate operation at Alert Levels 1 and 2. Under Alert Levels 3 and 4 we will cancel sailings. Any bookings will be fully refunded if you are impacted by COVID19 alert levels, including your travel plans being cancelled.