We'd missed out on seeing any dolphins in the south island when bad weather put paid to our plans to go on the whale-watching trip from Kaikoura. So we knew our last real chance to see any would be on a cruise from Paihia around the Bay of Islands as common dolphins congregate all year round there.
Dolphin-watching is big business, and another boat was leaving at the same time as us.
We'd been at sea about 10 minutes when the captain said dolphins had been spotted nearby, and he moved the boat into position so we could all get a closer look and take photos. They seemed to be following the boat, mostly in pairs and regularly jumping from the water. Corny but true, they are such beautiful, graceful animals. And to be so close to them in their natural environment was really exciting.
Click on the video below to see them truly in action.
We sailed past the Black Rocks, an extensive chain of unusual volcanic rocks.
Captain Cook's 'Endeavour' anchored off Motuarohia (or Robinson Island), and it was settled by the Robertson family who were all murdered here in 1839. Their killer was brought to trial and convicted the following year, after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, and thus became the first man in New Zealand to be executed under British law.
The Cape Brett Lighthouse was built in Thames, near where we are staying in the Coromandel, and barged up the coast and winched 149 metres above sea level. The lighthouse keepers lived and worked here from 1910, when the light was first lit, to 1978 when a new automated light went into service.
Piercy Island, standing 148 metres above sea level, was named by Captain Cook after the then Lord of the Admiralty, Lord Piercy Brett.
It didn't to the naked eye seem possible, but our cruise-ship from Paihia passed through the Hole in the Rock, a natural tunnel through Piercy Island.
Once through the Hole in the Rock, we saw these fishermen, who were proudly showing off their catch of Kingfish..........
........and Snapper.
Urupukapuka Island:
The Hole in the Rock was the mid-point of the cruise, and we turned back for Paihia. But there was one last island to visit, the only one of the 144 to accomodate overnight guests. We weren't staying overnight but we were set down on the island at Otehei Bay for an hour to explore and enjoy. The author Zane Grey (writer of best-selling westerns) lived here in 1926 and is known for making game fishing famous in the Bay of Islands.
The sheep are a recent addition to the island as the Department of Conservation decided to reintroduce them to keep the grass under control!
Cape Reigna:
Cape Reigna is the most northerly accessible point in New Zealand. Known in Maori as Te Rerenga Wairua ('The Leaping Place of the Spirits') it is believed to be where the spirits depart. Beginning their journey by sliding down the roots of an 800-year-old pohutukawa tree into the ocean, they climb out again at Ohaua to bid a final farewell before returning to their ancestors in Hawaiiki.
As this is the most northerly place, we had been advised to post some cards from the post box at the Cape as they would be given a special water-mark.
This is where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean.
We set off down the path to the Cape Reigna Lighthouse, perched 164m. above sea level.
'Windy' doesn't come near to describing it, and we had to shelter in the lee of the lighthouse to take photos.
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