Phantom Sailing Bay of Islands

Set sail for a quieter Bay of Islands day. Phantom Sailing gives you roughly five and a half hours aboard a live-aboard private yacht, with room for no more than 10 people. That small size is the main draw: you get a personal day on the water rather than a seat in a floating crowd.

I like the intimate group size and the chance to spend real time under sail, not just motor from one photo stop to the next. I also like the island break, where you can hike to a viewpoint, swim, snorkel, or simply enjoy lunch prepared by Robin. The main consideration is that this is a true sailing day, so you will spend most of your time on deck and only about an hour ashore.

The tour costs $121.01 per person and starts at 10:00 am from Russell. Rick and Robin bring years of ocean sailing experience, along with stories about life at sea and the Bay of Islands. The tour has earned a 4.9 rating from 177 ratings, with 99 percent recommending it.

Key points to know before booking

• Small sailing group: Phantom carries a maximum of 10 people, making the day more personal and relaxed.
• Five and a half hours on the water: You spend most of the outing cruising between the Bay of Islands rather than rushing through several short stops.
• One-hour island stop: Walk to a viewpoint over the bay, swim from the beach, snorkel, or stay aboard.
• Homemade lunch included: Robin prepares lunch on board, adding a welcome personal touch to the day.
• Dolphins are possible, not promised: The bay can provide memorable wildlife sightings, but nature sets the schedule.
• Russell return: You meet at Booking and Information on The Strand in Russell at 10:00 am and finish back at the same point.

Why Phantom is different from a standard boat trip

The Bay of Islands is easy to see from a fast sightseeing boat, but sailing gives the place a different rhythm. You hear the water, feel the wind, and watch the islands change as Phantom moves through the bay. The trip is less about ticking off a list of stops and more about giving you time to enjoy being at sea.

Phantom is a live-aboard private yacht, and that matters. This is not simply a large commercial vessel dressed up as a sailing trip. The boat is the home of hosts who have sailed around the world, and their practical experience shapes the day.

Rick and Robin are active hosts rather than distant crew members. Rick can explain the local area, discuss sailing, and offer sailing instruction when conditions allow. Robin prepares lunch and helps create the easygoing, friendly mood that comes through in the strongest comments about the trip.

The small group limit of 10 is a major advantage. You can ask questions without shouting across a packed deck, move around more easily, and get a better sense of the yacht and its sailing setup. Families, couples, and solo visitors can all fit into the day without feeling lost in a crowd.

Leaving Russell at 10:00 am

The meeting point is at Booking and Information on The Strand in Russell, postcode 0202. You should plan to be there before the 10:00 am departure, since the tour leaves from Russell and returns there after the afternoon sail.

Russell is a sensible starting point for this outing. The town sits directly in the Bay of Islands and gives you a convenient base for a day on the water. The activity is near public transportation, though no transport service from elsewhere is included in the supplied details.

Once aboard Phantom, the trip settles into a steady cruise through the bay. You can expect views of the many islands, beaches, and open stretches of water. The Bay of Islands includes 144 islands, and sailing lets you see how scattered and varied the area is.

The boat has been praised for being comfortable and quick for a yacht of its kind. One especially enthusiastic sailing fan noted speeds of 7.8 knots on the return, though conditions will affect the pace on any particular day. The point is not speed alone. You are here for the feel of the boat under sail and the chance to watch the crew work.

A full morning among the islands

The first part of the route is spent cruising through the bay. The hosts share local information and stories from their time at sea, so the views come with context rather than passing silently outside the rail.

This is where Phantom will appeal most to people who genuinely like boats. You can listen, ask questions, and, when appropriate, receive sailing guidance from Rick. You do not need to know anything about sailing to enjoy the trip, but a simple interest in how a yacht moves will make the experience more rewarding.

The pace is relaxed. You are not being hurried from a beach to a lookout and then back to the boat in a tight sequence. Instead, you have time to sit on deck, watch the islands pass, and talk with the people around you.

Possible dolphin sightings add a welcome element of surprise. A dolphin encounter has been a highlight for some people on board, but it is important to treat this as a possibility rather than a scheduled part of the tour. Wildlife does not keep to the timetable.

For photographers, the broad views are likely to be more valuable than a long list of fixed attractions. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the entire trip looking at a screen. The best part of a sailing day is often the changing view between named stops.

The island stop and viewpoint walk

The route includes an island stop where you can go ashore for about an hour. This is the most active portion of the day, though it remains optional in spirit. You can walk to a viewpoint for broad views over the bay and its islands, or use the time for a swim and a slower break.

The viewpoint is repeatedly praised as worth the climb. From above, you can look across the islands and out toward the sea, gaining a better sense of the Bay of Islands than you get from deck level. The walk makes the stop feel like more than a quick beach landing.

You should be prepared for a hike, but the supplied details do not give a distance, surface, or difficulty rating. If walking comfort is a concern, ask Phantom Sailing for current conditions before booking. Most people can participate, but no detailed accessibility information is provided.

The one-hour limit is both useful and limiting. It gives you enough time to walk and take in the view, yet it is not long enough for an extensive hike or a slow beach afternoon. If you want a full day ashore, this is not the right sailing trip. If you like a short walk between long stretches on the water, the balance works well.

Swimming, snorkeling, or staying aboard

At the island stop, you can swim, snorkel, or relax on the yacht while lunch is prepared. Snorkeling equipment is provided, which saves you from bringing your own kit.

The details do not specify the exact snorkeling site, water temperature, or what marine life you might see. That means you should regard snorkeling as an available activity rather than the central purpose of the tour. Conditions and water clarity will shape the quality of the swim.

You can also choose not to enter the water. Some people will prefer to enjoy the beach, sit aboard Phantom, or take in the view from the island walk. That flexibility is useful for mixed groups, especially when one person wants to swim and another would rather stay dry.

Bring suitable clothing for time on deck and a change of clothes if you plan to swim. The supplied information does not list a packing guide, so check directly with Phantom Sailing if you need details about towels, food requirements, or weather gear.

Robin’s homemade lunch on deck

Lunch is one of the small details that gives this trip its personal feel. Robin prepares a homemade meal on board while the island stop is underway, and the meal is served as part of the day rather than treated as an afterthought.

The exact menu is not provided, so you should not book based on a particular dish. Still, the food has received strong praise for being fresh, tasty, and carefully prepared. Eating on deck, surrounded by the bay, is a much more memorable setting than grabbing a rushed meal between activities.

If you have dietary needs, contact Phantom Sailing before departure. The supplied information does not explain which dietary requests can be handled, so it is best to ask rather than assume.

Lunch also helps make the $121.01 price easier to assess. You are paying for about five and a half hours on a small yacht, the island stop, snorkeling equipment, local hosting, and food. Compared with a basic transport cruise, it costs more. Compared with a private or very small-group sailing outing that includes a meal and several hours on the water, it offers solid value.

The afternoon sail back to Russell

After the island stop and lunch, Phantom heads back toward Russell. The return is not just a transfer. It is another chance to sail, listen to stories, and see the bay from a different angle as the afternoon light changes.

This part of the outing may be the most satisfying for people who want genuine sailing time. The boat has been praised for smooth handling, and Rick’s years at sea give the day a calm, capable feel. You may be able to spend time at the helm or receive basic sailing instruction, depending on conditions and the skipper’s judgment.

Safety remains the crew’s responsibility, and the supplied comments describe Rick and Robin as alert to changing conditions. Still, this is an outdoor activity dependent on wind and weather. The tour requires good weather, and Phantom Sailing may cancel if conditions are poor. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The trip ends back at the Russell meeting point. The listed duration is approximately five hours and 30 minutes, with the overall description allowing for five to six hours. Keep some flexibility in your plans after the tour rather than scheduling something immediately at the finish time.

Who will enjoy Phantom Sailing most

I would choose this trip if you want time on a yacht, a small group, and hosts who are part of the sailing world. It suits people who enjoy conversation, scenery, and the simple pleasure of moving under wind power.

It is also a good fit for families. One family of five described feeling especially well looked after, and a separate family outing included an older parent over 80 who felt safe and comfortable. That does not guarantee the same experience for every person, but it suggests the relaxed setting can work across generations.

You do not have to be an experienced sailor. The hosts are happy to share sailing instruction, and the day is designed for general visitors as well as sailing fans. Still, people who expect constant commentary, many attractions, or a packed activity schedule may find the pace too slow.

This is less suitable if you dislike being on deck for long periods, are hoping for a guaranteed dolphin sighting, or want a lengthy island hike. The island time lasts about an hour, while most of the day is spent aboard Phantom.

Practical value, weather, and booking conditions

At $121.01 per person, Phantom Sailing sits in the midrange for a hosted day on the Bay of Islands. Its value comes from the combination of a maximum 10-person group, a private-yacht setting, homemade lunch, snorkeling equipment, and a long stretch of sailing.

The 4.9 rating from 177 ratings and 99 percent recommendation rate support the idea that the service is consistently strong. The praise centers on the same features that matter most: Rick and Robin’s hospitality, the comfortable boat, the food, the island viewpoint, and the calm sailing.

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons after booking. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of bookings is not met, Phantom Sailing offers another date or activity, or a full refund.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Most people can participate, but detailed information about mobility access, food allergies, and onboard facilities is not supplied. Ask before booking if any of those points affect your plans.

Should you book Phantom Sailing?

Book it if you want an unhurried day on the Bay of Islands with only a handful of people around you. The combination of real sailing, a short island walk, homemade lunch, and local stories gives you far more than a simple sightseeing ride.

I would especially recommend it to couples, families, and anyone who likes boats but does not want to charter a yacht privately. The small group and warm hosting are the heart of the outing.

Skip it if you want a high-speed wildlife cruise, a long beach stay, or guaranteed snorkeling and dolphin sightings. For everyone else, Phantom offers a personal, good-value way to see the bay from the water, with enough time to let the day unfold naturally.

FAQ

Where does Phantom Sailing depart from?

It departs from Booking and Information on The Strand in Russell, New Zealand, postcode 0202.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 10:00 am.

How long does Phantom Sailing last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours and 30 minutes. The description gives a general range of five to six hours.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour ends back at the meeting point in Russell.

How many people can join the sailing trip?

The maximum group size is 10 people.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided during the experience.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Robin prepares a homemade lunch on board during the island stop.

How much time is spent on the island?

The island stop lasts about one hour.

Can I swim or hike during the stop?

Yes. You can swim, snorkel, relax on board, or walk to a viewpoint with views over the bay and its islands.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes Phantom Sailing to cancel, you are offered a different date or a full refund.