Bay of Islands hosts the Coastal Classic on 23 October
Published on 10/04/2026 at 08:47 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
The Bay of Islands hosts the PIC Coastal Classic yacht race on 23 October 2026, with the finish off Russell Wharf and Paihia providing the main base for visitors. The event is scheduled for a Friday during the spring travel season in New Zealand.
The Coastal Classic finishes near Russell on 23 October
The PIC Coastal Classic starts at Devonport Wharf in Auckland and follows a 119-nautical-mile route up the east coast before finishing off Russell Wharf. The official race site lists the 2026 event for Friday 23 October and identifies the New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club as its organiser.
The race is a mixed-fleet sailing event rather than a shore-based festival. Its course brings the final section into the waters near Russell, linking the long offshore route directly to the maritime setting that defines the region. The organiser describes the course as running from Devonport to the Bay of Islands, with the finish positioned off Russell Wharf. The official race programme gives 23 October 2026 as the event date.
How the race route fits the Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands is a subtropical micro-region between Cape Brett and the Purerua Peninsula. It encompasses 144 islands and includes Paihia, Russell, Opua and Kerikeri, giving the race finish a clear geographical connection to several established visitor centres.
Paihia is the practical starting point for exploring the area. Its wharf provides access to cruises and a passenger ferry to Russell, while the Waitangi Treaty Grounds lie nearby. The regional profile from Tourism New Zealand also identifies the vehicle ferry between Opua and Russell and walking tracks around the coast and islands.
The race therefore connects two parts of the visitor map: Paihia, where many travellers base themselves, and Russell, where the boats complete the northern end of the course. The event date falls in October, when the region is moving into its warmer season, but the race itself remains a water-based event whose finish is offshore.
Visiting Bay of Islands: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The PIC Coastal Classic is scheduled for 23 October 2026. The race starts at Devonport Wharf in Auckland and finishes off Russell Wharf in the Bay of Islands.
- The finish is off the Russell waterfront rather than at a named land venue. Visitors should not assume that the race course or finish boat provides public access to the water.
- Paihia is a base for reaching Russell by passenger ferry. The region also has a vehicle ferry connection between Opua and Russell, as listed by Tourism New Zealand.
- The wider area includes 144 islands, coastal walking tracks and the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Water-based activities and boat travel are central features of the destination around the race weekend.
Searching for Bay of Islands on social platforms
These links open searches for Bay of Islands on each platform.
Frequently asked questions about Bay of Islands
When does the PIC Coastal Classic take place at Bay of Islands?
The PIC Coastal Classic is scheduled for 23 October 2026, finishing off Russell Wharf.
Where is Bay of Islands and how do you get there?
The region lies north of Auckland and includes Paihia and Russell. Paihia connects with Russell by passenger ferry, while Opua has a vehicle ferry link to Russell.
What is Bay of Islands?
It is a subtropical micro-region encompassing 144 islands between Cape Brett and the Purerua Peninsula in New Zealand.
