North Island is a stunning destination for both adventurous exploring, as well as a vacation due to its peaceful and laid-back vibes. With so many amazing things to do in Paihia, it’s no wonder that this place is often considered an ideal backpacking spot for those eager to discover what the north part of New Zealand has to offer. And the only way to properly explore the “Jewel of the Bay of Islands” is by staying at some of the best hostels in Paihia.
The town has a lot to offer, from magnificent forests and beautiful landscapes to immense cultural and historical remains, delicious cuisine and wine, and golden sand beaches with stunning marine life.
Our favorite hostels in Paihia are:
- Bay of Islands Lodge - best for Couples
- Peppertree Lodge - best for Solo Travelers
- Haka Lodge - Bay of Islands - best for Female Solo Traveler
Paihia is both a significant tourist destination and a point of entry to other attractions. The lovely seaside resort provides convenient access to the 144 islands and lovely beaches in the area. It features a wide range of lodging alternatives, mouthwatering food establishments, and a sizable town centre. You may plan a trip to the nearby islands from the dock, join a fishing excursion, or take the ferry to Russell! Two popular local activities are sea kayak trips and cruises to the “hole in the rock” near Cape Brett’s tip.
Paihia is also close to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds’ ancient Treaty House, which marks the founding of New Zealand as a country. Haruru, located to the west of Paihia, is home to a boardwalk and an outstanding waterfall.
Read: full guide to the absolute best hostels in New Zealand – which is your favourite hostel in New Zealand?
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.
1. Bay of Islands Lodge
2. Peppertree Lodge
3. Haka Lodge - Bay of Islands
Due to its subtropical climate, Paihia is known as the “Winterless North” and offers a broad range of exciting activities. There are several options for those interested in water-based sports, including fishing, sea kayaking, sailing, and scuba diving! You can also try skydiving, parasailing, or taking a helicopter trip to experience the area from a birds-eye perspective,
There are several lovely beaches in the Bay of Islands, each with unique qualities to discover. However, when visiting Paihia, you should set aside some time to take advantage of the short beach that runs through the centre of the city. Not only can you engage in various water activities there, but this is also where most tour operators can be found.
This guide is perfect for YOU, when you…
- are tired of crappy hostels!
- want a social Hostel to actually meet people
- are happy to spend $1 to $2 more for a much better experience
What do we cover in this article?
You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to Paihia
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Paihia cost 21$ – 22$ per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room has an average of around 52$ – 75$ per night. This is a rough average, just to give you an idea.
Prices always depend on the season and holidays. Please always check the exact rates on Hostelz.com or Hostelworld.com.
Check-In and Check-Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3 pm), while the Check-Out time is before 11:00 (11 am). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later. Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.
Backpacking tips for Paihia: We would like to share some interesting tips with you before we continue our list of the best hostels in Paihia!
- All sorts of water-based enjoyment and adventure are well protected by a bay that is surrounded by various islands. The Bay of Islands’ crystal-clear waters can help you get the perfect experience if you decide to go sailing, thanks to its breathtaking landscape and outstanding sights. There are several ways to reserve a cruise starting from the wharf. You may pick a cruise with the duration and price that meet your needs, as well as a variety of included activities and eating choices.
- Another beautiful island located at the tip of the Cape Brett Peninsula is The Hole in the Rock. As a result of the 16-meter-high wind-carved hole, which is even big enough to guide a boat through, this isle is well-recognized and aesthetically distinctive. According to a Mori tale, valiant warriors once paddled their canoes and let them pass beneath the Hole in the Rock before proceeding to the fight.It was thought that water flowing from the cave’s ceiling was a sign of luck. Your captain should guide your boat through the gap in the rock if the weather is favourable. You should count yourselves lucky if a droplet touches you. Throughout your journey, we advise you to watch for dolphins, whales, and seabirds.
- The largest island in the Bay of Islands, Urupukapuka, is kept as a recreation reserve and a significant historical site. This island paradise is naturally stunning and offers a ton of things to do, so it’s certainly worth a visit! It is also a great location for fishing and water activities.There are a number of paths you can take to stroll around the island. Visitors may access historical landmarks, breathtaking vistas, and numerous idyllic beaches via these walking trails. Several native bird species, including swallows, silvereye, whiteheads, fantails, pukeko, tomtits, North Island robins, and others, can be found here, which also explains why it serves as a bird sanctuary. These lovely creatures are most likely to be spotted while you are out on the track.
🎁 New to Hostels? Read our guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. We especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels? (and websites to save $)
- 23 clever items: the hostel packing list to download
- How does the Hostelworld App work exactly? Our Advanced Guide
The 3 Best Hostels in Paihia are …
Let’s jump right into the coolest hostels in Paihia.
- Bay of Islands Lodge – best for Couples
- Peppertree Lodge – best for Solo Travelers
- Haka Lodge - Bay of Islands – best for Female Solo Traveler
These are our favorite hostels in Paihia. We want to make your life even easier, so we put all accommodations on a map for you. We even added our own tips for favorite restaurants, things to see, and more.
1. Bay of Islands Lodge
2. Peppertree Lodge
3. Haka Lodge - Bay of Islands
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Peppertree Lodge |
| 🙎♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: | Haka Lodge - Bay of Islands |
| 👫 For Socializing: | Peppertree Lodge |
| 👩❤️👨 Couple Hostel: | Bay of Islands Lodge |
| 👨👩👦 Family Hostel: | Bay of Islands Lodge |
| 👩💻 For Digital Nomads: | Haka Lodge - Bay of Islands |
| 🎒 for Backpacker: | Peppertree Lodge |
1. Bay of Islands Lodge
In the centre of Paihia in Northland sits the family-run Bay of Islands Lodge . Your hosts, Andy and Lynne, will make you feel at home and will be happy to share their local expertise and advice on making the most of your time in the Bay of Islands. They are skilled and well-informed, which means they can assist you with your requirements.
The Lodge, which Andy and his family have operated since 2013, has recently undergone renovations from the original YHA hostel while maintaining its core ideals of hospitality and environmental care.
This Bay of Islands’ solar-powered resort now accepts reservations for single rooms with ensuite bathrooms for individuals, families, and teams. What’s more, you can reserve the Bay of Islands Lodge alone for your personal use. There are many different types of rooms, including a queen, double, twin, and family suite with two beds, four rooms that can accommodate up to four people, and one room that can hold up to six people in a single bunk bed. Since all the rooms are rented individually, this place is ideal for a two-person or group trip.
What makes this one of the best hostels in Pihia is its spacious common kitchen, comfy lounge, and outdoor patio with barbecue. All of these make up the perfect places to unwind, meet people, and relax in the evening.
Location: The closest attractions are Stockyard Point Scenic Reserve 250 m away, and Lucy Elizabeth Williams Scenic Reserve 1.3 km away. The closest beach is Paihia Beach, only 250m away!
The best choice in Paihia for
- Couples
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
2. Peppertree Lodge
Peppertree Lodge has become the first purpose-built hostel in Paihia, and after changing hands in the middle of 2019, this hostel has been meticulously upgraded. In order to provide their customers with various lodging alternatives at incredibly low prices, they set out to build a space whose primal focus was to provide comfort.
You may enjoy cooking and interacting with other guests in the spacious, modern kitchen connected to a sizable open-concept dining and living space. From there, head outdoors to the lovely patio and covered garden BBQ area, a wonderful spot to sit and unwind. Enjoy streaming content on their 58″ TV while relaxing in the living room. The upstairs mezzanine area offers comfy chairs and a laptop desk if you’re looking for peace and quiet or wish to enjoy the perks of being a digital nomad.
All rooms and common spaces are designed to be non-smoking establishments. There is only one approved smoking place that is next to the Courtyard.
In order to accommodate everyone’s budget, Peppertree Lodge provides a selection of 6 different room types. This means that the property is ideal for all types of adventures- they can accommodate solo travellers looking for a shared dorm room as well as couples, families, or groups looking for a private retreat.
All tours, including cruises and sailing excursions to the Bay of Islands and the Far North, may be reserved at the tour desk in the lobby, sometimes at a discount.
Location: The closest attractions are Stockyard Point Scenic Reserve – 250 m away, Lucy Elizabeth Williams Scenic Reserve – 1.3 km away, and Paihia Beach – 200 m away.
A great choice for
- Solo Traveler
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
3. Haka Lodge - Bay of Islands
Third, the million-dollar landscapes hostel is on our list of best hostels in Paihia! Haka Lodge - Bay of Islands is conveniently close to the nicest parts of town and offers stunning views of the Bay of Islands’ beautiful seas across from Paihia. It is also the largest settlement in the Bay’s area.
They are a brand-new, high-end penthouse with a mission that prioritises the needs of the client and a crew that can assist you with anything!
For travellers on a budget, they provide luxury dorm rooms, and for those who like their own space, they offer luxury en-suite private rooms. Their individual spaces each include a flat-screen TV, and their common area has a panoramic couch to take in the scenery and a big-screen TV for rainy days.
You never know who you could meet in their spacious, open living space or the fully equipped kitchen. The hostel believes in providing affordable, top-quality accommodations that are ideal for a variety of individuals, especially for females who are travelling solo.
Location: Haka Lodge is very close to Lucy Elizabeth Williams Scenic Reserve (700 m), Stockyard Point Scenic Reserve (750 m), and Paihia Beach is only 150 m away!
This is one of the best hostels in Paihia for
- Female Solo Traveler
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Best Hostels in Paihia for Solo Travelers?
We think that the best hostel in Paihia is Peppertree Lodge. You can read about it here.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
More Hostels worth a mention
At the moment, we think you are all set with the hostels we just shared with you. We always try to keep our guides super fresh and up to date. We might add more hostels worth a mention here in the future if we feel that it could enrich your travel and hostel experience.
After careful consideration, we have handpicked these three as the best hostels in Paihia just for you! No matter which one you choose, we’re certain you’ll have a wonderful time. After all, Paiha is incredibly stunning on its own, and all you need to ensure you discover it all is a comfy lodging where you can rest and unwind. We wish you happy travels and an amazing time!
What about the cheapest hostels in Paihia?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels. But how do you actually find them? When you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you want to save every dollar, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Paihia.
- Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Paihia
- add your dates
- Order the listings by price
Simple as that.
Hostelz.com is a price comparison site for hostels. They list every single one in the world and tells you exactly which website is cheaper to use.
Another smart Tip: Check what is actually included, and what is excluded. Take a closer look at the location, too. A further location might mean more costs in transport.
Any Discounts?
You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the freshest hostel discounts directly in your inbox. We even have special discount codes we only share in the newsletter.
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How to book?
The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
We included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
Read: Step-by-Step guide on how to book with Hostelworld
We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Paihia best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
The coolest Hostel App you need comes as well from Hostelworld. It gives you super cool features like you can contact your hostel mates beforehand, ask questions, and make plans together. Find more details in our review of the app.
Scan the QR Code with your Smartphone to download the Hostelworld App from the App Store - like a real Hostel Geek!
Need an eSIM Card for Paihia?
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Our Favorite Hostels in Paihia put on a map + sights
We’re listing all the three best Paihia hostels on a map to give you an idea of the location and distances between them.
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FAQs
Here we share with you the most asked question:
Any questions about hostels in Paihia?
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Flights to Paihia?
The nearest airport to Paihia is Kerikeri (KKE). Kerikeri Airport, also known as Bay of Islands Airport, is just 10 minutes by car from the arty, foodie town of Kerikeri. It’s also 20 minutes from historic Waitangi and the tourist town of Paihia.
We use Skyscanner and Omio.com to find cheap flights and good connections all over the globe.
Skyscanner has a bunch of cool features like Multi-City Trip. Instead of doing this research step-by-step, Skyscanner offers this flight planning tool.
More handmade Guides for you
Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Paihia, New Zealand.
We did the leg work for you and bring you more hostel guides to destinations:
- Best Hostels in New Zealand
- Best Hostels in Napier
- Best Hostels in Wanaka
- Best Hostels in Taupo
- Best Hostels in Nelson
- Best Hostels in Auckland
- Best Hostels in Wellington
- best hostels in Queenstown + Queenstown Budget Travel Guide
- Best Hostels in Christchurch
Over to you
Do you have any questions left, maybe doubts? Then please leave it in the comment below. We are very keen to help you - and actually you would even do us a favor!
Your question will help us to improve this Paihia guide.
Last note: Our commitment
This is a genuine article to help you travel a bit smarter, and find the best place on a budget! We will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. We are constantly updating all our guides to keep them as fresh and accurate as possible.
Safe travels,
The Hostelgeeks
