Single occupancy surcharge (for solo travellers choosing accommodation option)

Accommodation
• With-accommodation option – comfortable hotel in Paihia with easy access to the waterfront, restaurants and evening strolls
• Day-only option – no overnight accommodation, return to Auckland the same evening
• Both versions use the same high-quality daytime experiences and transport

Meals
• Snacks and bottled water provided throughout both days
• Lunch included on Day 1 (varies by departure)
• Dinner and breakfast available locally in Paihia for those staying overnight

✅ What’s Included
• Comfortable Mercedes-Benz transport with Wi-Fi and commentary
• Scenic ferry crossings
• 4.5-hour Bay of Islands cruise including Hole in the Rock
• Entry to Kauri Museum and Waipoua Forest
• Guided tour of Waitangi Treaty Grounds with cultural performance
• Snacks and bottled water
• Professional guide

🚫 What’s Not Included
• Dinner on Day 1 and breakfast on Day 2 (for with-accommodation option)
• Accommodation (for day-only option)
• Personal expenses and optional activities
• Travel insurance

Northland enjoys mild subtropical weather year-round.
Summer (Dec–Feb) • Typical daytime: 22–26 °C • Conditions: sunny with sea breezes • Practical note: pack swimwear and sunscreen
Autumn (Mar–May) • Typical daytime: 18–24 °C • Conditions: pleasant and settled • Practical note: light layers for evenings
Winter (Jun–Aug) • Typical daytime: 14–18 °C • Conditions: cooler with occasional rain • Practical note: warm jacket and rain cover
Spring (Sep–Nov) • Typical daytime: 18–22 °C • Conditions: mild with wildflowers • Practical note: comfortable walking shoes

Documents & Essentials
• Photo ID and booking confirmation
• Travel insurance documents

Clothing (layered for coastal conditions)
• Comfortable walking shoes and light layers
• Swimwear, hat and sunglasses
• Light rain jacket

Toiletries & First Aid
• Sunscreen, insect repellent and personal toiletries

Electronics
• Charged phone and camera
• Portable power bank

Accessories & Nice-to-Haves
• Small daypack and reusable water bottle

The Bay of Islands is known as the birthplace of modern New Zealand where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840.

Tane Mahuta is a colossal kauri tree over 2,000 years old and one of the largest living trees in the world.

Waitangi Treaty Grounds is a living cultural site with a waka (canoe) house and daily Māori performances.

Hole in the Rock is a famous natural sea arch at Cape Brett, a highlight of the Bay of Islands cruise.

Urupukapuka Island offers beautiful beaches and walking tracks in the heart of the marine park.

Paihia is a relaxed waterfront town and the perfect base for exploring the Bay of Islands.

Dolphins are frequently seen on the ferry and cruise crossings.

Kauri forests are ancient ecosystems under protection due to kauri dieback disease – your guide will explain how visitors help protect them.

Northland’s subtropical climate makes it one of the warmest parts of New Zealand year-round.

Carbon Footprint & Offset Report: Bay of Islands 2-Day Tour & Cruise from Auckland

Quick Snapshot

Estimated CO₂e footprint per participant: 480 kg CO₂e
(higher-end conservative estimate – covers all on-tour impacts plus average travel to/from Auckland pickup points)

Our 200% offset commitment per booking: 960 kg CO₂e
Funded through genuine landscape restoration in climate-vulnerable developing regions (reforestation, mangroves, soil regeneration, etc.). This creates real net-positive impact beyond neutrality.

Tour summary

• 2 days / 1 night (with-accommodation option in Paihia) or day-only version
• Small group – max 18 travellers
• Starts and ends in Auckland (central hotel pickups)
• Modern Mercedes-Benz coach + scenic ferry crossings + Bay of Islands cruise
• Accommodation option: Comfortable hotel in Paihia (with-accommodation version)
• Meals: Lunch included, snacks & bottled water throughout (dinners/breakfasts vary by option)
• Highlights: Tane Mahuta giant kauri tree in Waipoua Forest, Waitangi Treaty Grounds with cultural performance, 4.5-hour Bay of Islands cruise including Hole in the Rock and Urupukapuka Island, Kauri Museum, Opononi Beach stop, scenic Northland drives

Overview

This report estimates the carbon footprint for one individual participant on this tour using higher-end data from trusted sources. We intentionally choose upper-range figures to fully cover every impact – including hard-to-measure parts like supply chains and indirect effects.

We then double it (200%) and fund genuine landscape restoration projects in developing and climate-affected regions worldwide. This goes beyond standard offsetting to deliver real, lasting benefits for ecosystems and communities.

All figures in kg CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent – the standard measure that includes all greenhouse gases).

Tour Details

• Duration: 2 days (with optional overnight in Paihia)
• Key locations: Auckland start/end, Waipoua Forest (Tane Mahuta), Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Bay of Islands cruise (Hole in the Rock, Urupukapuka Island), Kauri Museum, Opononi Beach
• Travel style: Relaxed small-group cultural & scenic Northland tour with cruise and cultural experiences
• Assumptions: Average participant, standard behaviours, higher-impact choices where uncertain. Local travel to Auckland pickup points is factored into the higher-end footprint for completeness. Itinerary may vary slightly by departure.

Calculation Approach

• Sources: UK DEFRA 2025 conversion factors, Australian National Greenhouse Accounts 2024, UNWTO tourism data, IPCC guidelines, and peer-reviewed studies.
• Higher-end scale: Upper-range emission factors everywhere, plus radiative forcing for any flights, well-to-tank fuel effects, +20% uncertainty buffer, and conservative assumptions for coach + ferry + cruise operations.
• Per person, full tour experience.
• Excludes only purely personal extras (e.g. souvenirs or additional dinners).

Detailed Emissions Breakdown (per participant)

Transportation – 280 kg CO₂e

• Average local travel to/from Auckland pickup points (higher-end mix of car, taxi or short transfers): 30 kg
• All on-tour Mercedes-Benz coach + scenic ferry crossings + Bay of Islands cruise (shared small group): 250 kg – higher-end diesel + marine factor with low-occupancy buffer

Accommodation – 55 kg CO₂e (with overnight option; 0 kg without)

• 1 night comfortable hotel in Paihia (with-accommodation version): 55 kg – higher-end for energy and laundry

Meals & Food – 85 kg CO₂e

• Included lunch, snacks & bottled water + higher-end estimate for own dinners/breakfasts (tourism-level portions and waste): ~28 kg per day – higher-impact estimate

Activities & Excursions – 60 kg CO₂e

• Guided cultural performance at Waitangi, Kauri Museum, Bay of Islands cruise, forest walks and commentary

TOTAL ESTIMATED FOOTPRINT PER PERSON: 480 kg CO₂e

Our 200% Offset Commitment

• Amount we will offset: 2 × 480 kg = 960 kg CO₂e per individual booking
• How: Direct funding of landscape restoration projects – reforestation, mangrove protection, regenerative agriculture, wetland and soil carbon restoration
• Where: Developing countries and regions most affected by climate change (e.g. Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America) for maximum global benefit and community co-benefits
• Why 200% and higher-end estimates: To guarantee coverage despite any measurement discrepancies and to create genuine extra positive impact

Important Notes

• Numbers are deliberately conservative (higher) so we over-deliver on restoration – real footprint may be lower
• The tour already has strong sustainability practices (small groups, respectful visitation at cultural sites, low-impact cruising); our independent higher-end analysis adds extra certainty
• Carbon accounting has natural uncertainties – doubling it is the responsible way
• This directly supports long-term carbon-sequestering landscapes and local communities

What is the group size?
Maximum 18 travellers for a personal and comfortable experience.

Is accommodation included?
You can choose the version with overnight hotel in Paihia or the day-only option.

Are meals included?
Snacks, bottled water and lunch on Day 1 are included. Other meals are at your own cost.

Is the ferry and cruise included?
Yes – both the scenic ferry and the 4.5-hour Bay of Islands cruise are part of the tour.

What wildlife might I see?
Dolphins are common, along with seabirds and possibly orcas depending on the season.

Do I need to be fit?
Easy pace with short walks. Suitable for most fitness levels.

Where does the tour start and end?
Pickup from Auckland CBD hotels and return to Auckland.

Can I add extra nights in Paihia?
Yes – just ask when booking for extensions.