Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Paihia?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Paihia?
Most people spend at least 3 or as many as 5 days in Paihia during their visit. The beautiful coastal town offers amazing highlights such as the beaches, scuba diving and snorkeling, the hiking, and the cuisine.
Paihia is one of the main resort towns in the Bay of Islands on the North Island of New Zealand. It offers access to diving and snorkeling. There are also hiking trails as well as opportunities to learn about the Maori culture.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Paihia? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Paihia?
As a popular and famous coastal town, Paihia offers a large number of activities and attractions for visitors. Given only three days, you will likely be rushed to swim at the beach, snorkel or scuba dive, go hiking, and dine out at amazing restaurants. To truly savor all that the coastal town offers along with the beach, a more generous amount of time is usually needed. Many travelers opt for three to five days to relax and explore here. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.
How to spend 3 days in Paihia
The beautiful beaches await you in Paihia, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. There are stunning beaches both in Paihia and throughout the Bay of Islands. Paihia Beach is in town. It's small but nice and makes a great picnic spot. For a more secluded spot head to Matauri Bay Beach or Takou Bay.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Island Hopper Day Cruise - sailing to wildlife sanctuary island - 6 hr cruise ($113)
- Day Cruise & Island Tour - Snorkel/Wildlife/Paddleboard/Islands ($77)
- 3 Hours // Hole in the Rock Cruise & Bay of Islands Tour ($77)
The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. Local seafood, regional produce, and fresh ingredients make dining in the area a rewarding experience. You'll find fine dining restaurants, pizzerias, and local cafes to choose from.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Bay of Islands Wine Tour with Lunch ($107)
- Private Modern Vegetarian Cooking Class with Anna in Northland ($195)
The public transit in Paihia is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the coastal town quite easily and affordably. There are ferries and some intercity buses through the Bay of Islands.
Don't miss the Waitangi Treaty Grounds during your trip to Paihia, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. As a holiday spot, there are a number of clubs and bars that cater to tourists in the area.
Scuba diving and snorkeling around Paihia is very popular. Spend the day exploring the beauty of the surrounding underwater world. There are scuba diving and snorkel shops available around town where you can organize trips and excursions to experience the undersea world.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Day Cruise & Island Tour - Snorkel/Wildlife/Paddleboard/Islands ($77)
- Bay of Islands Cruise & Island Tour - Snorkel, Hike,Swim,Wildlife ($91)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Paihia.
Is 4 days enough time in Paihia?
Many visitors spend four days in Paihia, as this is a good amount of time to see the beautiful coastal town's major attractions such as the beaches, scuba diving and snorkeling, and the hiking. If you have four days here, we have a few suggestions of things to do below.
The beach near Paihia, New Zealand
How to spend 4 days in Paihia
Having 4 days in Paihia will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the coastal town.
Known for it's hiking, Paihia sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. The Bay of Islands is filled with coastal walks and peaceful hikes. This is a great way to soak up the area's atmosphere and take in some spectacular views.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Island Hopper Day Cruise - sailing to wildlife sanctuary island - 6 hr cruise ($113)
- Day Cruise & Island Tour - Snorkel/Wildlife/Paddleboard/Islands ($77)
- Carino Wildlife Cruises - Island and Wildlife Day Cruise ($116)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Paihia.
Is 5 days enough time in Paihia?
Five days is more than enough time to see the activities and enjoy the beach in Paihia. Many visitors prefer to spend three to five days here, so more time would allow you to experience the beaches, scuba diving and snorkeling, the hiking, and the cuisine at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.
How to spend 5 days in Paihia
With 5 days in Paihia, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the coastal town has to offer.
You'll find a few good museums and historic landmarks here, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. There are some interesting cultural sights in the area like the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and the Museum of Waitangi.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Paihia.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Paihia, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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