Reviews and travel ratings on Tallship R Tucker Thompson in New Zealand (95% from 21 reviews) A chance to go sailing on a working tall ship in one of the most beautiful parts of New Zealand, the Bay of Islands. Better still, with profits made from tourism going to support youth development, your day out is going to a good cause!

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    A chance to go sailing on a working tall ship in one of the most beautiful parts of New Zealand, the Bay of Islands. Better still, with profits made from tourism going to support youth development, your day out is going to a good cause!

    Catch the breeze and set sail for the day from Russell on board the unique tall ship "R. Tucker Thompson", built in the tradition of 100 year old schooners by local Northlanders. She has sailed the world but today will explore the somewhat calmer seas of the Bay of Islands with you on board.

    The design of the "R. Tucker Thompson" is based on the Halibut schooners of the North West American coast, which were considered fast and sea kindly and easily manned. She has a lofty rig of varnished oregon spars. Kwila decks and bulwarks with flashes of brass-work to make her look as she should, a working ship of the 18th century, purposeful and square-shouldered, but with a touch of style and speed.

    The day out is an interactive experience, so help set the sails, ride on the bowsprit, climb the rigging; alternatively relax while our crew does the work. You will also enjoy the Devonshire tea freshly baked and brewed in the galley each morning. The ship is spacious and comfortable and the friendly crew makes it a personal experience, often described as the best day of any holiday.

    At lunchtime the vessel anchors in a secluded bay. Step ashore, take a swim or try swinging from the yardarm. With all this sea air and activity you'll have a hearty appetite - taken care of by a tasty barbecue lunch cooked on board. Return to Russell this afternoon.
    The ship is operated as a not-for profit charitable trust with profits from day sail activities being used to support youth sail training programmes over the New Zealand winter. Operating for over 25 years, the ship is Qualmark approved with a Gold environmental rating.

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    The R.Tucker Thompson under full sail

    The R.Tucker Thompson under full sail

    Morning tea, freshly baked scones, jam and cream - Yummm!

    Morning tea, freshly baked scones, jam and cream - Yummm!

    Lunch time stopover at beautiful bay

    Lunch time stopover at beautiful bay

    Fun for everyone!

    Fun for everyone!

  • Location

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  • Details

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Traveller Tips

  1. Paihia
  1. Sallyo's avatar

    Sally

    New Zealand

    Go back in time to experience the colonial birthplace of New Zealand in the small, yet very busy town in the summer; Russell, where this countries founding document the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. This little town was for a short time the capital city of NZ. Easily accessed by both road and ferry from Paihia.

    19 November 2010.

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Reviews for Tallship R Tucker Thompson

Tallship R Tucker Thompson
Sallypea's avatar

Sallypea

United Kingdom

Ranking: 10/10

If you do only one thing in North Island, book a trip with R Tucker Thompson, not only is it a great day out, it is for …

If you do only one thing in North Island, book a trip with R Tucker Thompson, not only is it a great day out, it is for a good cause. The Bay of Islands is beautiful and seeing the area from this stunning tall ship is the best way to do it. Lovely friendly crew, yummy lunch, dolphins, and hands on sailing if you want to. Would love to do again and would recommend to everyone! I have been travelling in NZ for 5 weeks (North and South) and I would rank this as my best experience overall.

Reviewed 06 January 2012

Tallship R Tucker Thompson responds:

Thanks so much for your great feedback Sally, it is much appreciated. And thanks for recommending it to everyone on your travels ;-) Hope your 5 week stay in New Zealand has created lifetime memories for you!

Tallship R Tucker Thompson
hayesad's avatar

hayesad

Costa Rica

Ranking: 10/10

Great day viewing the Bay of Islands from a whole new perspective. Great trip and staff. Getting the tourists involved w…

Great day viewing the Bay of Islands from a whole new perspective. Great trip and staff. Getting the tourists involved with the sailing was a plus.

Reviewed 06 April 2011

Tallship R Tucker Thompson
simonvallis's avatar

Simon Vallis

United Kingdom

Ranking: 10/10

Very well organised and staff could not have been more helpful and informative.

Very well organised and staff could not have been more helpful and informative.

Reviewed 15 March 2011

Tallship R Tucker Thompson responds:

Thanks Simon, glad you had a good time and hope to see you again :-)

Tallship R Tucker Thompson
TexasStarrs's avatar

TexasStarrs

United States

Ranking: 10/10

This was the most awesome day trip. We were on a cruise from the US to Australia via New Zealand and booked this as a s…

This was the most awesome day trip. We were on a cruise from the US to Australia via New Zealand and booked this as a shore excursion. The crew was excellent, the lunch was very good. We had so much fun and plan to book this trip again on our next visit to Bay of Islands.

Reviewed over 1 year ago and experienced in November 2008

Tallship R Tucker Thompson responds:

We look forward to seeing you back again in the Bay!

Tallship R Tucker Thompson
C Morbey's avatar

Colin Morbey

United Kingdom

Ranking: 9/10

Excellent day out. Run by a charity to assist young NZ. Good crew, passengers encouraged to become involved in sailing.

Excellent day out. Run by a charity to assist young NZ. Good crew, passengers encouraged to become involved in sailing.

Reviewed almost 2 years ago and experienced in January 2010

Tallship R Tucker Thompson
Sandy's avatar

Sandy Doodson

England

Ranking: 10/10

A wonderful day out, very friendly crew, made us all feel part of the boat. Run as a charity for youngsters (for your re…

A wonderful day out, very friendly crew, made us all feel part of the boat. Run as a charity for youngsters (for your ref., we are heading towards our 70's).

Reviewed almost 2 years ago and experienced in January 2010

Tallship R Tucker Thompson
helmetpaula's avatar

Helmet Paula

Austria

Ranking: 8/10

The crew was very engaged and very friendly, social project.

The crew was very engaged and very friendly, social project.

Reviewed 01 March 2010

Tallship R Tucker Thompson
Chocolatefish's avatar

Amanda McCaig

United Kingdom

Ranking: 10/10

This was a fantastic trip. The crew were wonderful - even providing a surprise birthday cake for my daughter! It was a…

This was a fantastic trip. The crew were wonderful - even providing a surprise birthday cake for my daughter! It was a simply glorious experience we will never forget. The Captain let my daughter take the helm for quite some time - which made it even better.

Reviewed over 2 years ago and experienced in March 2008

Tallship R Tucker Thompson
elisabethk's avatar

elisabethk

Germany

Ranking: 10/10

Excellent tour, good lunch and cream tea, very competent and friendly crew. A wonderful experience!

Excellent tour, good lunch and cream tea, very competent and friendly crew. A wonderful experience!

Reviewed 25 July 2009

Tallship R Tucker Thompson responds:

Very glad you enjoyed your trip with us!

Tallship R Tucker Thompson
StefanGermany's avatar

StefanGermany

Germany

Ranking: 8/10

Very nice trip on a great boat but no animal views.

Very nice trip on a great boat but no animal views.

Reviewed over 2 years ago and experienced in March 2009

Tallship R Tucker Thompson responds:

Animal views? Could you please explain what you were looking for?

Tallship R Tucker Thompson
SabineGermany's avatar

SabineGermany

Germany

Ranking: 9/10

It is a very nice way to experience the Bay of Islands.

It is a very nice way to experience the Bay of Islands.

Reviewed over 2 years ago and experienced in March 2009

Tallship R Tucker Thompson responds:

thank you for coming sailing with us!

Tallship R Tucker Thompson
gerrys's avatar

gerrys

Australia

Ranking: 10/10

Late afternoon sail in the bay of islands. More than fantastic. Great crew, great concept + even better that your mone…

Late afternoon sail in the bay of islands. More than fantastic. Great crew, great concept + even better that your money goes to a good cause.

Reviewed 16 May 2009

Tallship R Tucker Thompson
JessicaJ's avatar

Jessica Jobmann

Germany

Ranking: 10/10

Great trip on sailboat, good food on board (barbeque) Wonderful experience, seeing the Bay of Islands from a different a…

Great trip on sailboat, good food on board (barbeque) Wonderful experience, seeing the Bay of Islands from a different angle.

Reviewed 25 March 2009