Events in the Bay of Islands

On the first Saturday in January, the Annual Tall Ship Race leaves Russell and you can see some of the elegance from a distance from your very own waterfront suite at Waterfront Suites! Over three days in May each year, the Bay of Islands Country Rock Festival brings together more than 50 acts from Australia and New Zealand to play in various venues around this stunning region. 

The world-famous Coastal Classic yacht race starts off from Devonport Wharf in Auckland, sails through Rangitoto Channel, past Kawau Island, Whangarei, Tutakaka and Poor Knights Islands, rounds Cape Brett and finishes off at Russell Wharf in the Bay of Islands. The Coastal Classic is 119 nautical miles long and starts on the Friday of Labour Weekend (October) and can take between six to 20 hours.