- Jan 8, 2023
- 2 min read

Urupukapuka Island - An island haven in the Bay of Islands - New Zealand (North Island)

If there ever was one place that I visited where I was so spell bound that I clicked and clicked photos on my phone and still felt I hadn't had enough, it was this piece of paradise. I have been to many islands and seen many beautiful turquoise waters of the bay around the world. But on Urupukapuka Island, I was truly enamoured by the beauty that lay ahead of me. We went to Urupukapuka island from the town Russell where we stayed for a couple of days, on the ferry. The ferry ride was breadth-taking, an hours' ferry ride amongst the mighty Bay of Islands. Hundreds of islands and island inlets and gliding past them on the ferry looks like something out of a story book. Urupukapuka Island is the biggest island on the Bay of Islands in New Zealand Northland. The Bay of Islands are a subtropical micro-region known for its stunning beauty & history. For those that love beaches and water activities, it's a paradise.

Entering Urupukapuka island - Photo taken from the ferry

The island is 208 hectares (514 acres) in size. There are many sandy beaches. The waters around the island are clear and diving is particularly good on the east coast where there is plentiful reef life. Indico and Paradise Bays are popular sheltered anchorages and ideal for most forms of water sports. Although it has many bays for swimming, the best way to explore this island is by foot. I preferred to walk around the island and take in the stunning beauty than take part in the water sports, and I found that many people did the same, as the 360 degree views from this island beauty are stunning.

360 degrees from one of the walks

Although the walks say that they are about 8-10 kms in length, I felt that the walks were shorter and that is the best part, because I just stopped every step that I took of the walks just to take in the ethereal beauty around me. At the end of some of the walks, you come across beautiful bays that you can swim in. Here are some sneak peaks to the beautiful bays. Do not miss going to this island if you visit the Bay of Islands. It was truely one of the most beautiful islands I have ever seen on this planet.

Sunset Bay & Cable Bay Loop Walk