Early start, quick breakfast, then ~90 min drive to Russell, Bay of Islands. Kids enjoyed the brief car ferry ride, across from Paihia! Glorious sunshine, but a good sea breeze, once on the coast. Spent an hour looking around Russell, after booking our dolphin watching cruise tickets, including a fantastic art gallery featuring local artists (L liked the look of a $3000 painting!)

Drove to the Matauwhi Bay Recreational Reserve to eat lunch, overlooking a bay full of the Boating Club's boats. Then back to the quay to board the boat, and claim our place at the bow. Beautiful scenery during the guided tour of the Islands, including the first anchorage point of Captain Cook.

Then we found a pod of 4 bottle nosed dolphins, who swam around the boat for 15 - 20 mins, allowing plenty of opportunity for photos, and much admiration from the passengers on board. There is a time limit as to how long each boat can stay near the dolphins, so once our time was up, we sailed away, towards another of the islands.

At this point, the captain announced a special treat, as there were reports of Orcas (killer whales) in the area. After a few minutes of searching, we found a pod of half a dozen Orca, and spent an amazing 20 mins watching and photographing them as they calmly swam around. After ~10 ins, one of the males started "showing off", splashing his tail fluke and (ahem!) "playing" with one of the females!

Once our time was up, we started to sail out to the Hole in the Rock, and briefly saw a hammerhead shark! At the Hole, the conditions were good enough that we could sail through it!

Had a 30 min stop off at a beach on one of the islands, then back to Russell.

Everyone agreed that this was one of the best (if not the best) thing that we've done so far! Glorious weather all day - D managed to singe the top of his head, as it was too windy to wear a hat!

Drove back to Waipu Cove - spag bol for tea!