Frequently asked questions
Be prepared for your day with us sailing in the Bay of Islands
Happy to help
If you still have questions or concerns after reading this page, feel free to reach out to us via phone or email! We’re always happy to chat, and to do our best to accommodate any special requests.
Where and when do we meet?
Pick up is on the Russell wharf at 9:45am, departure is at 10.00am. If you can’t find us, the lady at the information centre at the end of the Russell wharf will gladly show you where we are.
What do I need to bring?
Sunscreen, a water bottle, your swimming gear and a beach towel if you want to have a swim! We will have everything else you need for a great time sailing in the Bay of Islands, we’re ready and waiting for you on board Vigilant.
Can I bring alcohol?
Our policy with beers and wine is BYO (bring your own)! We have a fridge freezer on board to keep everything nice and cool for you.
Will we see dolphins?
When sailing the Bay of Islands, we see our dolphin friends more often than not. However, we don’t chase them down, nor do we hunt them out. We love having them around and we want our local Bay of Islands dolphins to be as happy as can be!
Do I need to know how to sail?
Being a sailor isn’t a requirement for this trip! Our crew are fully qualified to man the ship by themselves. If you’re keen to learn or want to give it a try, they will be more than happy to let you grab the helm or hoist a sail!
How many people will be onboard?
The maximum number of passengers we take sailing on Vigilant is ten. That will leave you enough room on board for everyone to be fully relaxed and comfortable, especially if you’re lucky enough to be on the beanbag!
What will we do all day?
In the morning we will take our time getting to one of the many beautiful islands in the bay. Which one we choose may depend on the weather, the wind, what we want to do, or just whatever takes our fancy. Once we arrive, you can swim, kayak, snorkel, hike or simply lounge on the beach. After 1.5 hours on the island, we will have a fresh lunch on board, and then we will raise the sails and head home!
What if it rains?
We have plenty of rain jackets on board for you, the joys of sailing! If we do have to cancel due to weather, you will be fully refunded.
Will this charter be the highlight of my trip?
Well, of course it will. How can sailing in the Bay of Islands onboard Vigilant not be?
Sustainable tourism
One of our goals at Vigilant yacht charters is to ensure our business only positively affects the area. Having sails is only one small part of our sustainable initiative. Let’s keep the Bay of Islands the pristine playground that it currently is.
