Urupukapuka Island: How to spend a day in a paradise island of New Zealand
From the approach, Urupukapuka Island is ultimately impeccable. Panoramic views and hiking trails to fill the day awaiting upon arrival. The sun dazzling on the turquoise waters, the beaches pristine: the epitome of island paradise. The beauty of the Bay of Islands is clear as day.
Urupukapuka Island is the largest island in the Bay of Islands. It is a pest-free island, featuring archaeological sites and is a real slice of paradise! I highly recommend giving it a visit if in the Bay of Islands.
Flights ✈️: For the best, cheapest flight options to New Zealand, check out Skyscanner, or for flights with cashback, WayAway.
Activities: For activities and tours in New Zealand, GetYourGuide and Viator have many options available, including boat tours around the Bay of Islands which incorporate Urupukapuka Island.
Accommodation 🛌: Booking.com and Agoda have a great range of accommodation options in the Bay of Islands area. If you’re on a budget, head over to Hostelworld.
eSIM: Check out Airlo to avoid roaming fees in New Zealand. Set up your eSIM before your trip and stay connected from arrival.
Travel Insurance: Travel Insurance through SafetyWing will leave you with peace of mind on your trip, whether travelling long-term or on a short trip.
On a Bay of Islands trip I would recommend you base yourself in Paihia, this is the easiest place from where to explore the area to the fullest. It has the most accommodation choices too, with budget aka hostel options available.
You can check for accommodation below:
How to get to Urupukapuka Island?
Take the ferry from Paihia/Russell to Otehei Bay
Journey time: Approx. 40 minutes
Cost: $60 adult return
Note: There are various boat tour options in the Bay of Islands which will take you to Urupukapuka Island.
Paihia/Russell: Hole in the Rock and Bay of Islands Cruise is a popular boat trip. On this half day trip you can expect to see dolphins, whales and more while sailing through the Bay of Islands. There is a 1.5 hour stop at Urupukapuka Island to have the chance for a short explore of this paradise.
Paihia/Russell: Hole in the Rock Cruise with 2 Island Stops is another excellent option if you want to experience as much of the Bay of Islands, including Urupukapuka Island, as possible. This option allows you to hop off and experience two islands – Motuarohia Island (a 40 minute stop), and Urupukapuka Island (1 hour stop).
I have no doubt these cruises (or any of the other options available) are well worth it, but if an island retreat, exploring at your own leisure, and lower price tag is more your fancy, a full (independent) day trip to Urupukapuka Island is the way to go.
When to go, and for how long?
Ferries to the island run from the end of September until mid-April.
I opted for a full day trip, but if you only have half a day you could visit for that long too, or if you fancy a few days of island retreat, even camp on the island at one of the beautiful camp-sites.
My experience: I can’t speak for the other months of the year, but I visited Urupukapuka Island in November, which certainly provided an exquisitely serene experience. Although the island wasn’t bustling with visitors camping, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding and more as it would be in peak season, I saw this as a positive. No doubt I would also love to see it in a more vibrant light, while having time to camp and partake in the aforementioned activities. However, a day trip full of exploring certainly provided the blissful, desired island escape when in the Bay of Islands.
How to spend a day on Urupukapuka Island?
The bays on the island are all connected by walking trails, so take your walking shoes, some energy and a sense of exploration. Enjoy the trails, sea and views – walk, but don’t forget to relax, take it in, savour the beaches (although there are too many and not enough time in just one day), as well as regard the islands that are further out in the Bay with plenty of photo stops along the way.
Check out this map of the walking trails on the island. The trails are fairly friendly, even the ‘steeper grade’ ones are reasonable – nothing too out of reach providing you are relatively fit and enjoy a good hiking trail.
How I spent my day exploring the island:
I undertook my tour of the island in an anti-clockwise route direction, which worked pretty well for me. Start and end point: Otehei Bay.
Otehei Bay is the ‘hub’ of the island, home to the ferry docking point along with a café and bar, the only on the island. However I wouldn’t get caught up in spending too much time here on arrival – there is too much else to see. I recommend taking a picnic and setting off as soon as you hit Otehei Bay – it is lovely too but it will still be there on your return to the ferry – leave it until last, heading back a little early to enjoy it.
Setting off from Otehei Bay in the direction of the Cable Bay Loop, I got my first glimpse of the outstanding views on offer from this island.
The first beach I stumbled upon was Sunset Bay, which is also a small camp-site.
Sunset Bay is a secluded bay that I instantly knew would be one of my favourite spots on the island. I especially loved the edge of the beach with its beautiful trees, adding to the secluded vibe.
Next up I continued to follow the Cable Bay Loop to Cable Bay itself, another camp-site area on the water.
I then proceed back to the Otehei Bay Loop, traversing to the Urupukapuka Bay Loop and making my way down to the beach.
Urupukapuka Bay doesn’t quite have the same secluded sense to it as other bays on the island, unsurprising seeing as it is home to the largest camp-site on the island, but it certainly was beautiful all the same. I spent some time at the beach here before hiking back up the Urupukapuka Bay Loop.
From the Urupukapuka Loop I joined the Pateke Loop. Photo stops and exploring ensued, before descending to Oneura (Paradise) Bay.
Paradise Bay was my last stop before returning to Otehei Bay to catch the ferry back to Paihia. A popular anchorage in the height of summer, it didn’t boast such bustle at this time of year. A small number of boats out in the water, along with only a few people who walked on by, left me in serene tranquillity. I had my lunch picnic here, while relaxing on the beach for a while, the serenity taking my breath away. It was a favourite of mine along with Sunset Bay.
Eventually it was time to start meandering my way back up on the trails to head back to Otehei Bay. However much to my dismay, I noticed a walking trail map which pointed out it was over an hour walk back to Otehei Bay – much more time than I had before my boat left. In a silent panic I picked up my pace, to then arrive at the bay in around 20 minutes. Alas, this meant I had time to take in Otehei Bay before my paradise day came to an end. Legs tired, skin sun-drenched, I awaited the ferry back to Paihia, knowing I had made the most of my adventure.
Urupukapuka Island, an island utopia of New Zealand.
For a further insight into the Bay of Islands check out my post:
Bay of Islands, NZ: What to do in and around Paihia
