Truthful Travel Tip #2: Northland Region New Zealand

There’s nothing quite like seeing animals in the wild

The next day was the highlight of the Northland Region: Bay of Islands. This area off the East Coast includes 144 islands spread out in a protected bay. We chose to take a day long boat trip with Fullers Great Sights. The tour would include traveling through the islands, setting foot on one, marveling at Hole In The Rock and hopefully getting to jump into the water with wild dolphins.

The islands are an amazing sight, surrounded by various shades of blue water and each with their own unique features. As we traveled through we kept an eye out for dolphins, and it was not very long before we spotted our first group. Due to New Zealand’s Marine Mammal Act, if there is a baby dolphin present you cannot get into the water. This group had a baby, so we watched them curiously swim around the boat before moving on.

Later that day we were lucky enough to come across another three curious dolphins. No babies in this group, so we were given the okay to get ready to jump in. I will never forget the feeling of that moment. I put on my snorkel and jumped into the cold water, leaving the safety of the boat behind. When I looked down below I saw bottlenose dolphins swimming fast, all around us. They were interested in us, not because they were forced to be but because they were curious.

It can be hard to have the patience to seek out animals in the wild, especially when “swimming with dolphins” in a park or a resort is a heavily advertised tourist activity. Full transparency: I’ve done it. But interacting with animals in their own habitat is part of ocean conservation, and there’s nothing quite like seeing animals in the wild.

For more ideas on how to practice ocean conservation, read my post Ocean Conservation for Travelers: 5 Tips

Truthful Travel Tip #3: Northland Region New Zealand

Traveling can be tiring

After a long day at sea we parked our camper van for the night in a desolate region of Northland. We stayed up late watching the stars, and woke up on our last day absolutely exhausted. There was a beach at the campervan park , so we lounged there for hours. We had no motivation to get going back to the West side of the Northland region, to visit some of the famed beaches.

When we finally did get going it was a slow-moving day. Our camper van seemed as tired as us, and it struggled as it chugged along climbing and winding roads to the West Coast beaches. At one point it really seemed like it was the end of its life, and it smoked from pure exhaustion. But we pressed on and made it to Piha Beach with just enough energy to walk part way down the beach. It was a beautiful beach, one that deserves much more time than we gave it. But we had to return the camper van that evening, and our turtle-like pace had put us far behind schedule.

The Northland Region has much to offer in terms of beaches on the West Coast. Compared to my favorite New Zealand beaches (Coromandel) these stretches of coastline are more wild.

For my favorite places in New Zealand, visit my post 5 Amazing Places!

There are serious rip tide and surf advisories posted everywhere. My advice? Don’t leave them for last. You don’t want to miss out on the beauty. Traveling can be tiring, especially after traveling an entire island by camper van for 10 days!

Truthful Travel Tip #4: Northland Region New Zealand

A camper van is the best way to see New Zealand

It was finally time to return our camper van. We said our goodbyes to our affectionately named Stan that evening, and looked forward to finally sleeping in real beds. For our adventure partners, a flight would take them home to Brisbane that evening. For Adrian and I, we had one more night in New Zealand, and would spend it in downtown Auckland.

After partaking in a camper van adventure, I can confidently say it is the best way to see New Zealand. The North Island is a relatively small island, but major sights are quite spaced out. It is affordable, and lets you experience the island in a way you would not by staying in hotels or Airbnbs. Our setup was stressful at times, like when we could not find food in the first few days thanks to holiday closures. It felt a bit cramped at times, especially after the letdown of our Tongariro hike being cancelled. But we also got to wake up to nature outside our window, got to eat our meals under a sky full of stars, and had a portable home wherever we went.

Traveling through New Zealand was not without its flaws. We made mistakes, we had unforeseen circumstances, and we were not always happy-go-lucky when things didn’t work out. This series has been an unfiltered account of travel: both the good and the bad. Travel is far from perfect, despite what pretty pictures can make it out to be. My hope is that the next time you travel you will think of this, and remember to make light of your own unexpected situations!

Thanks for following along,

Samantha,

A Truthful Traveler