New Zealand is much more than just the North Island and the South Island. The South Pacific country has a myriad of other smaller islands that are just waiting for travelers on a New Zealand cruise to explore. Some of the most beloved of these smaller islands are in the Bay of Islands, an idyllically scenic collection of 144 islands located on the north-eastern coast of the North Island. 

The Bay of Islands is known for its water recreation, particularly fishing, sailing, and scuba diving. American author Zane Grey first wrote about big-game fishing in the Bay of Islands in 1930, and it has been a tourist destination for fishing ever since.