At Bay of Islands participate or simply watch the deep fishing tournaments hosted from January through April.  Discover the best diving spotswhile exploring open sailing.  A long, irregular coastline gives riseto undisturbed waters and provides an outlet for free sailing; no wonderit is called as the "Jewel of Northland".  The best sailing seasonis between November and February.  A little to the south is Poor Knights Island, a Marine Reserve consisting of spectacular cliffs and huge rockformations looking like pillars with holes through which boats can motorright through. 

Farther down south, within the Hauraki Gulf and the nearby Great BarrierIsland, an amazing sailing area awaits you.  Exotic gardens, forestsand pools formed by natural hot springs (Great Kauri) complement naturaland protected waterfalls.  There is no limit to your adventures hereas mountain climbing (Mt. Hobson on Great Barrier Island), biking, fishing,simply laying in the sand (Coromandel Peninsula) or touring the vineyards and indulging in fine dining at Waiheke Island is all within your reach.