Arrived in NZ on 9 november, we have the time to cruise to cape Reinga before lifting the cat in Whangarei dry dock; Jim is reaching us from Auckland: Bay of island is a nice park, very organized with a lot of protected bays, plentifull of walks but a tourist boat is never very far. The park offer protected bays in already protected area but as soon as we sail out, we found absolutly no cruisers at this time of the year; we anchored in Cavalli island, Matai Bay, magnificent Waipapa bay, trying our spearfishing luck as perfect beginners in these chilly (15 degres) waters. The clarity is not as fantastic in the tropics but enough in some places at time for enoyable underwater fishing party... At least you don't stress when you get a fish as kiwi sharks are invisible and you don't need to race on board of the dinghy to keep your prey.
Happy to move legs onshore in Opua 

nearby Russel historic village: The  style as nice inside as outside
How kiwis preserve the young history of their country
Bay of island sailing: Famous Tucker Thompson in th back: a living monument made 100% here.


Quiet and safe sailing in the Bay of island



Evening anchorage: promess of a perfect night in an ultra protected place !





Sailing out of the park...

Different type of fishes here...we try n make mistakes...

Keep sailing north 

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The emblematic nz snapper caught with the rod by Jim

Cape REINGA !

White sand but impossible to approach as the swell break heavily 







Can't approach closer these whitesnow sand dunes with these conditions as the swell is breaking quite far offshore