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Location
The Bay of Islands is located approximately 250 km (150 miles) north of Auckland. It is a pleasurable 3-hour trip by car or a very scenic 45-minute fly from Auckland International to the KeriKeri airport.
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Area
Opua is the gateway to the Bay of Islands and South Pacific Ocean. Located where the Kawakawa River and Waikare River meet and flow into the Bay, and on to the sea. It is where overseas yachts first arrive in New Zealand, and clear customs, after making their South Pacific Ocean crossing. Charter sailboats, that you can cruise through the bay, are based here.
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The R. Tucker Thompson, a topsail schooner, and other Bay tour boats start their daily excursions from Port Opua. During the Year many luxury cruise ships also visit this magnificent hide away port of call.
From SummitView one can see the passenger ferry crossing the Bay taking people between Paihia and Russell. Just below is the Opua Wharf and the car ferry that takes vehicles across Veronica Channel to Okiato, and the road to Russell. Waitangi and the historic treaty grounds are also viewed just beyond Paihia, along with Kent Passage and the Kerikeri River Inlet at the north end of the bay.
The Coastal Walking Path from Opua to Paihia goes by the Harrison Scenic Reserve Rainforest. The reserve is a twenty-minute walk, and the scenic trip to Paihia takes about three hours round trip.
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Climate
The warm water of the tropical South Pacific Ocean flow westward along the equator. When the current turns south it produces a semi-tropical maritime climate which is enjoyed in the Bay of Islands and most of New Zealand. The tempered environment influences the summer (Nov - April) the seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere), from getting too hot and humid. With spring and fall also being mild the Bay of Islands and all of Northland are commonly referred to as "the winterless north".
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Average Daily Temperatures
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Jan
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Feb
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Mar
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Apr
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May
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Jun
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Jul
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Aug
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Sep
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Oct
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Nov
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Dec
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| C°
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26.8°
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26.4°
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24°
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20.8°
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16.4°
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15.6°
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15.8°
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15.8°
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17.1°
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19.9°
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21.8°
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24.8°
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| F°
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80°
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79°
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75°
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70°
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61°
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60°
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60°
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60°
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63°
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68°
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71°
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77°
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