30th January 2027
Conquer the Tranquil Waters of the Far North
Experience the Breathtaking NZ Ocean Swim Series in the Bay of Islands
The Roberton Island Hop
This is a completely new course… and it’s something special.
We start with a ferry ride from Paihia or Russell out to the stunning golden sands of Roberton Island, before taking on an unforgettable open water journey back to Long Beach, Russell.
Choose from:
4.4km Island Hop – strictly limited to 285 swimmers
2.2km Island Hop – strictly limited to 83 swimmers
This is the ONLY SwimXperience incorporated into the official series race points, making it a must-do event for swimmers chasing the series.
Everyone who enters a Multi Pass and selecs the Island Hope as a swim they want to do for the season will receive FIRST access entry before individual event entries are released. Once individual passes open, remaining spots for the Island Hop Experience will become available — but numbers are expected to disappear fast.
With ferry transport, island starts, crystal clear water and one of the most scenic point-to-point swims we have ever created, this is shaping up to be one of the standout events of the entire season.
Roberton Island Half - Long Swim 4.4km
This is a completely new course… and it’s something seriously special.
Starting from Paihia or Russell, swimmers will board a ferry and head out into the Bay of Islands towards Roberton Island. Once in position, you’ll jump directly from the ferry into the crystal clear water and begin your journey towards the stunning golden sands of Roberton Island.
This is not your standard swim start.
No beach countdown.
No standing on the shoreline.
Just you, the open ocean, a ferry beside you and an unforgettable swim through one of the most beautiful locations in New Zealand.
With numbers strictly limited to just 285 swimmers, this is an exclusive opportunity to be part of a truly unique harbour crossing experience before arriving onto the incredible beaches of Roberton Island.
Roberton Island Half - Mid Swim 2.2km
Ferry to Beach Swim 2.2km
This is a completely new course… and it’s something special.
We start with a ferry ride (from Paihia & Russell) to the water off Roberton Island, jump into the water and join the swimmers heading to the mainland.
With numbers strictly limited to 83 swimmers, this is an exclusive opportunity to be part of a unique harbour crossing.
Key Event Information
Event Schedule
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 29th January 2027 | 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM | Registration opens for all events, Long Beach, Russell |
| Saturday 30th January 2027 | 6:00 AM | Race pack collection at Paihia Ferry Terminal |
| Saturday 30th January 2027 | 7:00 AM | Ferry pickup from Paihia (LONG and MID swims) |
| Saturday 30th January 2027 | 7:20 AM | Ferry pickup from Russell (LONG SWIM ONLY) And you can only board here if you have already collected your race pack (timing tag & swim cap), as there won't be a registration desk here. |
| Saturday 30th January 2027 | 8:15 AM | Main swim compulsory safety briefing Roberton Island, 15 minutes prior to start |
| Saturday 30th January 2027 | 8:30 AM | START - Main Swim 4.4km from Roberton Island to Long Beach, Russell |
| Saturday 30th January 2027 | 9:00 AM | Mid course compulsory safety briefing on the boat, 15 minutes prior to start |
| Saturday 30th January 2027 | 9:15 AM | START - Mid Course 2.2km from the ocean into Long Beach, Russell |
| Saturday 30th January 2027 | 10:00 AM | Registration opens for Round the Bay 1000m, Beach Blast 500m and OceanKids, Long Beach, Russell |
| Saturday 30th January 2027 | 11:15 AM | Round the Bay 1000m and Beach Blast 500m compulsory safety briefing at the start line |
| Saturday 30th January 2027 | 11:30 AM | START - Round the Bay 1000m and Beach Blast 500m |
| Saturday 30th January 2027 | 12:15 PM | OceanKids compulsory safety briefing at the start line |
| Saturday 30th January 2027 | 12:30 PM | START - OceanKids 100m and 200m events |
| Saturday 30th January 2027 | 1:15 PM | All courses close |
| Saturday 30th January 2027 | 2:00 PM | Prizegiving |
| Saturday 30th January 2027 | 3:00 PM | Crew pack down |
| Saturday 30th January 2027 | 6:00 PM | Dinner and celebrations with the crew – All welcome at The Nauti Penguin |
Event Day General Info
Event location
The event headquarters is located at Long Beach, Russell – and on event day for the long & mid swim at Paihia Ferry Terminal.
The event base is a 20min walk from Russell township or a 5min drive however parking is limited at Long Beach.
Free with your swim entry
- Silicon swimming cap (you wear on event day)
- Event photography & finish line photos
- Electronic timing device
- A banana to refuel post event
- Trained lifeguards to watch over you while you swim and advanced medical personnel on site
Cut-off times
For safety reasons and to ensure the day runs to schedule, our swims have a cut-off time. The times vary for each swim distance.
Age limits
Roberton Island Hop: Age: 12 years and above
Roberton Island Half: Age: 10 years and above
Beach Blast 1000m & 500m Age: 8 years and above
OceanKids 100m & 200m Age: 5 – 12 year olds.
Swim caps & start groups
As part of your swim pack, you will receive a silicon swim cap. Each start group has a different coloured cap. Start groups are determined by the speed group you selected in the entry form. If you have swum with us already this season please bring your cap to minimise the number of caps you collect and reduce our environmental footprint.
The start groups are calculated by our operations team and are organised by speed groups & entry numbers. These can vary from event to event, unless you are a Multi Event pass swimmer, and we are reluctant to change these as it can affect results.
Speed 1 & 2 – Fastest swimmers
Mid 1 & 2 – Competitive but like a little bit more space on the start line
Comp 1 & 2 – Out there to challenge yourself and swim with friends and family
Results
Live results will be available as soon as you have crossed the finish line. If you can not see your result or think there is an error please come and see the team in registration as soon as possible and definitely BEFORE prizegiving. You can find the results here.
Post-event nutrition
Once you have crossed the finish line one of our awesome crew will be there to meet you with water and a banana.
BYO drink bottle
As part of our goal to have a greener footprint, we will no longer be offering drinking cups so please remember to bring your own drink bottle.
Safety
All New Zealand Ocean Swim Series events are patrolled by trained lifeguards and first aid qualified personnel who are present to assist you at all times.
Bag Transfer & Storage
Bag Transfer
Long & mid distance swimmers – we will transfer a small gear bag for you, from Paihia ferry terminal & Russell ferry to Long Beach, Russell.
Please label your bags. The bag drop will close just before ferry departure.
If you are swimming non-wetsuit and need something to keep warm, please wrap yourself in a emergency blanket or rubbish bag. One of our team will collect them at the race start and safely dispose of them.
Bag storage area
All other swimmers, there will be a designated bag drop area for you at Long Beach, Russell.
Please note that this is an all-care, no responsibility service so please don’t pack valuables.
Swimmers from all over NZ
Swimmer making personal achievements
Out on the water from a lifeguards perspective
Come join us in the amazing Bay of Islands
days
days
hours
hrs
minutes
mins
seconds
secs
Roberton Island Hop 4.4km
Roberton Island Half 2.2km
Oceankids Swim - Super Safe Parallel to the Beach
500m and 1000m Swim Course
| Russell, Bay of Islands | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event | Age | Super Earlybird | Earlybird 1 | Earlybird 2 | Standard | Event Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Apr – 31 May | 1 Jun – 2 Aug | 3 Aug – 4 Oct | 5 Oct – Event Day | Event Day | ||
| Roberton Island Hop 4.4km – Swim Experience | 12 yrs + | $125.00 | $135.00 | $140.00 | $150.00 | $160.00 |
| Roberton Island Half 2.2km – Swim Experience | 10 yrs + | $89.00 | $99.00 | $104.00 | $114.00 | $124.00 |
| Beach Blast 1000m | 8 yrs + | $70.00 | $80.00 | $85.00 | $95.00 | $100.00 |
| Beach Blast 500m | 8 yrs + | $60.00 | $70.00 | $75.00 | $85.00 | $90.00 |
| Ocean Kids 100m & 200m | 5-12 yrs | Free Entry | ||||
| Ferry Ticket 4.4km | 12 yrs + | $65.00 | ||||
Finish line Feels
Achieving new personal bests
Swimming
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NEW ZEALAND OCEAN SWIM SERIES™, THE SWIM OF YOUR LIFE™, THE ORIGINAL OCEAN SWIM SERIES™, AMPHIBIAN™, GOLDEN GOGGLES CLUB™, OCEANKIDS™ ARE TRADEMARKS OF, AND PROPRIETARY TO THE EVENT CREW LTD ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
