Fantastic Weekend girls trip for 10 of us. The catamaran has plenty of space on deck, meals were great and we had plenty of time to paddle board, snorkel and walk.
Wedding Events on the Water
Bay of Islands, New Zealand
Up to 20 guests
Fully licensed
Catering included
Departing Paihia
From the hens party to the honeymoon, the moments around your wedding deserve to feel just as special as the day itself. Barefoot Sailing Adventures turns the Bay of Islands into your private celebration venue.
When you charter with us, the boat is yours. No strangers, no shared schedule, no rushing. Just your favourite people, the most beautiful stretch of coastline in New Zealand, and a day shaped entirely around what you’re celebrating.
We sail on Kopiko and Moonwalker – two performance catamarans built for comfort, real sailing, and groups of up to 20. Departing from Paihia, we know these waters inside out: the quiet bays the tourist boats don’t reach, the best swimming spots, the perfect sunset anchorage.
Tell us what the occasion is and we’ll build the day around it. From the first enquiry to the moment you step off the boat, we handle every detail – so you (and the people organising it for you) can actually be present and enjoy it.
WHAT WE CELEBRATE
Every bridal occasion, on the water
Hens Parties
Gather the tribe. Hit the water, make it unforgettable. A hens party celebration on the water beats the bar every time! Every detail handled by us, even the little touches that make it feel personal. Just you, your favourite people, and the Bay of Islands stretching out in every direction.Combined Hen & Stag
Why split the party? A combined Hen & Stag charter is one of our favourite events to run — everyone together, out on the water, sharing a genuinely unforgettable day before the wedding. We make it work beautifully.Pre-Wedding Events
Bring family & friends together before the big day with a sailing experience that does the work for you. Beautiful scenery, shared time, and a reason to truly connect before the wedding weekend begins. It’s the perfect icebreaker for families and friends meeting for the first time – nothing beats a day on the water together.Post-Wedding Celebrations
The wedding is done – now it’s time to relax and soak it all in with the people you love most. A post-wedding sail is the perfect way to extend the celebration without anyone having to organise anything. Exhale, reminisce, and bask in the bliss of your amazing day.Intimate Wedding Celebrations
Small, personal, and completely yours. If you’re after an intimate celebration on the water rather than a traditional venue, we can make that happen. The Bay of Islands has a way of making every moment feel meaningful.Honeymoons
There’s no better start to a marriage than a private sail through one of New Zealand’s most stunning coastlines. We’ll set the scene – you just show up and enjoy it. Glide past secluded bays and toast the next chapter with the one who matters most.CHOOSE YOUR EXPERIENCE
Three private cruise options for bridal groups
Each cruise can be tailored to your group, your occasion, and your vibe. Not sure which one’s right? We’ll help you choose
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Everything taken care of
A private bridal charter with Barefoot Sailing Adventures comes with all of this — built around your group, not a template.
Special Catering
We offer catering options designed for bridal groups. Tell us what your group loves and we’ll put something together that actually feels special.Licensed Venue
The catamaran is a fully licensed venue. Drinks are sorted, and everything is handled properly so you can focus on celebrating.Music Your Way
Share a playlist or let us take care of the soundtrack based on your vibe. The music should feet like you.Performance Catamarans
Kopiko and Moonwalker are genuine sailing catamarans built for comfort and performance. Stable, spacious, and beautifully set up for groups creating a casual, fun and social atmosphere.Up to 20 Guests
Private charters accommodate up to 20 guests per boat – and with two catamarans available, we can host larger groups too. Smaller groups get just as much personalised attention. On your charter, it’s never a numbers game.Personal Touches
We take the time to understand what you’re celebrating and make it feel like it was designed for your group. No cookie-cutter charters here.Hens Party Charter
There’s no hens party quite like one that sails out of Paihia, drops anchor in a private bay, and turns the Bay of Islands into your own personal playground for the day. Our hens charters are designed for groups of up to 20 – fully private, fully styled, and built so the maid of honour can actually relax and enjoy it instead of running the show. Every charter comes with themed styling in your chosen vibe, Letters to the Bride keepsake cards, a glass of bubbles on arrival, and little party favour keepsakes for the girls. Day cruises also include a beautifully styled beach picnic on an island, with swimming, snorkelling, and plenty of time to soak it all in. Pick your charter length, pick your theme, and we’ll handle the rest. Choose from six signature hens themes below – or chat to us if you’ve got something else in mind.
Hen's Party Themes
THE FLEET
Meet the catamarans
Two performance sailing catamarans, both set up beautifully for private group charters. Stable, comfortable, and genuinely fun to sail on.
Kopiko
A performance catamaran that delivers a real sailing experience with the comfort your group deserves. Spacious deck, beautiful sightlines, and plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the Bay.
Moonwalker
Built for comfort on the water with that genuine sailing feeling that makes the Bay of Islands come alive. Moonwalker is a favourite for evening charters and celebrations.
All charters depart from the Paihia beachfront, Bay of Islands — right in the heart of one of New Zealand’s most iconic destinations. Easy to get to, impossible to forget.
Guests Who Happily Sailed With Us
We did a private charter for 12 of our family on a short visit to New Zealand over the Easter break. Had a great day on board and the kids participated with putting the sails up. Thank you for your hospitality.
…Having a private tour and the boat to yourself, versus being crammed onto a boat with 200 strangers all clambering for a view out of a window is invaluable. Give them a call…you will not regret doing so!!!
We booked this group for a large group (9 people) and were blown away at the hospitality and accomodation shown by Luke and Rachael! They were friendly, insightful, and considering of our needs and wants! Would definitely recommend to others and will be going back for sure!
QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Things People Want to Know
If your question isn’t here, just reach out — we’re happy to talk through the details.
Barefoot Sailing Adventures is a fully licensed venue, so we take care of the drinks properly. We also offer catering tailored to your group — whether that’s something simple and relaxed or something a bit more special. We’ll work with you to get it right rather than hand you a set menu and walk away.
Our private charters can accommodate up to 20 guests. We’ll advise the best vessel setup for your group size and the type of event you’re planning. Smaller groups are just as welcome — this isn’t about filling a boat, it’s about giving your group a genuinely good experience.
Yes — and we genuinely love running them. A combined Hen & Stag charter is a great way to bring the whole wedding party together before the big day, and the Bay of Islands gives everyone something to enjoy regardless of their sailing experience. We help you set the vibe from the beginning.
Absolutely. Share a playlist or describe the mood and we’ll make sure the music matches. Whether you want something relaxed and ambient or something that gets the party going, we’ve got you covered. The soundtrack should feel like your group, not generic background noise.
The Sundowner Evening Cruise is a favourite for hens parties — the timing, the light, and the
atmosphere are just right for celebrating. The Island Hopper is brilliant if your group wants a full-day adventure with swimming and snorkelling. Tell us about your group and we’ll point you in the right direction.
All our charters depart from the Paihia beachfront in the Bay of Islands. It’s easy to get to, the views start the moment you step on board, and the Bay opens up beautifully as soon as you’re underway.
It’s one of the most personal and memorable honeymoon experiences in New Zealand. Having a
catamaran to yourselves on the Bay of Islands — with catering, music, and the day entirely shaped around you — is a very different experience from any resort or tour. We’ll make sure every detail is right.
Cancellations more than 30 days before your charter date forfeit 25% of the charter fee. Within 30 days, 50% is forfeited. Within 14 days, 100% of the charter fee applies. We recommend booking early and noting these terms when you plan your event — we’re happy to talk through any questions.
Use the enquiry form below or reach out directly at fun@barefootsailing.co.nz. Tell us your date, group size, and what you’re celebrating — we’ll take it from there and make sure everything is sorted well before your big event.
Ready to plan your bridal charter?
Tell us what you’re celebrating, your group size, and your preferred date.
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