May Marie Charters
May Marie Charters
At May Marie Charters, they love taking guests out for an awesome day of charter fishing in the Bay of Islands! No matter what your expectations are, the crew will work hard every time to exceed them and make this trip an adventure you'll never forget. Our Skippers are highly experienced, fun and avid fishermen.
You'll be fishing on a 44' McManaway boat, named May Marie. This spacious vessel accommodates up to 12 anglers for Snapper fishing or 6 anglers for Kingfish trips. May Marie offers a comfortable ride, even on rougher days, as she's super stable. There's plenty of shade to get out of the sun, a closed cabin area, and the kettle will be on if you would like to make a cuppa. There's also plenty of seating both inside and out.
The Bay of Islands is simply beautiful and the scenery as we head to our secret spots won't disappoint. The friendly crew will welcome you on board, bait your hook and entertain you with a yarn or two. Choose between shared charters targeting Snapper or Kingfish, or private ones that can be tailored to your needs.
At the end of the day, the crew will fillet your catch and make it ready to take home with you. They provide all fishing equipment, tea/coffee/water, and you're most welcome to bring snacks, lunch, or other beverages.
Join May Marie Charters for an epic day out fishing in the beautiful Bay of Islands!
NOTE: Unfortunately our trips do not coincide with guests arriving by cruise ships. By the time guests disembark and get into Paihia, we are already out fishing and our afternoon trips do not return until after cruise passengers are usually required to be back on board the ships.
At May Marie Charters, they love taking guests out for an awesome day of charter fishing in the Bay of Islands! No matter what your expectations are, the crew will work hard every time to exceed them and make this trip an adventure you'll never forget. Our Skippers are highly experienced, fun and avid fishermen.
You'll be fishing on a 44' McManaway boat, named May Marie. This spacious vessel accommodates up to 12 anglers for Snapper fishing or 6 anglers for Kingfish trips. May Marie offers a comfortable ride, even on rougher days, as she's super stable. There's plenty of shade to get out of the sun, a closed cabin area, and the kettle will be on if you would like to make a cuppa. There's also plenty of seating both inside and out.
The Bay of Islands is simply beautiful and the scenery as we head to our secret spots won't disappoint. The friendly crew will welcome you on board, bait your hook and entertain you with a yarn or two. Choose between shared charters targeting Snapper or Kingfish, or private ones that can be tailored to your needs.
At the end of the day, the crew will fillet your catch and make it ready to take home with you. They provide all fishing equipment, tea/coffee/water, and you're most welcome to bring snacks, lunch, or other beverages.
Join May Marie Charters for an epic day out fishing in the beautiful Bay of Islands!
NOTE: Unfortunately our trips do not coincide with guests arriving by cruise ships. By the time guests disembark and get into Paihia, we are already out fishing and our afternoon trips do not return until after cruise passengers are usually required to be back on board the ships.
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Trip availability and prices
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Customer reviews
Rating
Anglers' gallery (154)
What anglers say
Reviews (216)
Venasio Crawley•
New ZealandMember since 20265.0Verified46 snapper: The BEST Fishing Charter Day - EVER!!!
5 Hour Snapper Trip (Private) on April 13, 2026 • 7 adultsMay Marie - should take the title for BEST Charter for every other month of the year: Jan Marie, Feb Marie, Mar Marie…through to Dec Marie. We had a Monday booking but because of Cyclone Vaiana, May Marie Charters kindly pushed our fishing trip out to Tuesday morning. We were a family of 7 and had a private charter which we found 100% fair value $$$ exchange for the experience of a lifetime. The crew headed up by Captain Trent Morgan and super-deckhand Johnny Van-Eyk always made us feel safe, were professional, personable, patient, courteous, kind, caring and great fun and nothing was a problem. We spent our first hour chasing schools of bait and caught lots of live bait. They did everything from setting up rods, hooking up bait, unhooking our catch, boiled the kettle for a cuppa, once loaded up with bait, we went snapper fishing. Aged from 13-64, we all caught plenty of fish, especially the teens who got bites every time they put their lines into the sea. 46 snapper, 5 kahawai and 1 kingfish (not quite big enough so returned with my sisters initials on the fish as she caught it). Johnny with help from Captain Trent, cleaned, filleted and bagged our large haul of fish. Johnny even prepared the freshest Ocean-to-plate sashimi. We are back at our rental, we butter panned fried snapper for lunch and made a beautiful Samoan oka (ceviche) which is chilling in the fridge for later. Fish is re-bagged, and covered with salt-ice in the fridge for sharing with friends tomorrow. Choose May Marie Charters - reliable and stable boat (especially if you have choppy seas), They have the best rating because it’s been earned honestly and with hard work and incredible customer care!!! MAY MARIE KNOW ALL THE SECRET FISHING SPOTS, GUARANTEED TO CATCH FISH. BONUS: They have a kettle for hot drinks, waters and even some chips snacks if you wanted some. SEVEN STARS ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Forrest BogueRepeat angler•
Massachusetts, US•Member since 20232 trips5.0VerifiedBest Charter Out There
7 Hour Kingfish Trip (Shared) on April 6, 2026 • 1 adultThe best charter experience I’ve ever had. Weather forced a change of plans but everyone was very communicative and went above and beyond to accommodate. Trent and Johnny put us right on some great fishing spots. The boat is very spacious with plenty of room for personal items and while using the fishing gear. Whether you want to book an open party or book the whole boat (which is what I’ll be doing next time), I cannot recommend May Marie Charters enough!
Chris Watson•New ZealandMember since 20264.0VerifiedNewWe had a great time.
7 Hour Kingfish Trip (Shared) on September 8, 2026 • 2 adultsNot our best day fishing on May Marie. I have been out several times before on the May Marie and caught some big snapper. We tried for Kingfish this time and one of us landed a decent kingfish. That was exciting for all of us and enough fish for a few days back at the resort. We also went out two days later for a snapper trip and caught some small snapper but no where near our pb’s on May Marie a few years earlier. A really good crew made it once again a great day out in the Bay.
Geoff & Jessica Cooper•New ZealandMember since 20265.0VerifiedOutstanding morning on Mae Maree
5 Hour Trip – Snapper Shared on May 5, 2026 • 2 adultsTrent & Johny provided a great mornings fishing... the fishing gear top class... the boat ideally suited & their knowledge superb... and to top it off the catch was filleted & bagged for those on board. Very highly recommended indeed!!!
Darren Evans•
AustraliaMember since 20265.0VerifiedAwesome Snapper
5 Hour Trip – Snapper Shared on March 14, 2026 • 2 adultsLoved catching the bait fish first and happy we both caught some Snapper loved not having to fillet fish afterwards the crew did this and baited our hooks fixed snags and took the fish off fixed tangles great trip lots if fish big and small caught 21 fish between 12 people lots of small ines throw backs great day
Luis SanchezRepeat angler•Australia•Member since 20262 trips4.0VerifiedGreat trip
7 Hour Kingfish Trip (Shared) on March 16, 2026 • 1 adultOverall it was a very good experience and definitely worth the money. However, not everything is about catching the target fish. If you can’t get kingfish, then make use of your plentiful kahawai or any other species on offer. Kahawai on surface lures is excellent fun. It’s all about keeping clients busy and entertained. Boat is clean and very comfortable but slow so a lot of time is spent travelling from spot to spot. Also please check with client if they want to keep the fish or release to live another day before you kill it. Catch and release is preferred by many people, including myself and it benefits everyone.
- George KohRepeat angler•
Singapore•Member since 20262 trips5.0VerifiedMy first fishing trip ❤️
5 Hour Trip – Snapper Shared on June 6, 2026 • 2 adultsTrent and Johnny were very helpful in advisong beginners/tourists like ourselves! Highly recommended for bwginners and tourists!
Mark Anderson•AustraliaMember since 20264.7VerifiedLovely Big Snapper
5 Hour Trip – Snapper Shared (PM) on May 2, 2026 • 1 adultHad a great half day with Trent and Max. caught heaps of bait fish which was fun and was lucky enought to land a large snapper….and a few others of size. Would highly recommend.
Kerensa Wood•AustraliaMember since 20255.0VerifiedIt was a misty misty morn ..
5 Hour Trip – Snapper Shared on September 29, 2025 • 2 adultsExcellent service and great crew from start to finish. Our family had a wonderful time - we will be hearing the story of the one that got away for years to come and still got to enjoy a delicious fish dinner - thank you!
Dee Holland•Montana, USMember since 20255.0VerifiedGreat Excursion!
5 Hour Trip – Snapper Shared (PM) on October 14, 2025 • 1 adultTrent and Johnny were amazing! They made sure we always had bait, and we had a smooth and fun experience all around. Really enjoyed the charter!
Rating
Anglers' gallery (154)
What anglers say
All reviews (216)
May Marie - should take the title for BEST Charter for every other month of the year: Jan Marie, Feb Marie, Mar Marie…through to Dec Marie. We had a Monday booking but because of Cyclone Vaiana, May Marie Charters kindly pushed our fishing trip out to Tuesday morning. We were a family of 7 and had a private charter which we found 100% fair value $$$ exchange for the experience of a lifetime. The crew headed up by Captain Trent Morgan and super-deckhand Johnny Van-Eyk always made us feel safe, were professional, personable, patient, courteous, kind, caring and great fun and nothing was a problem. We spent our first hour chasing schools of bait and caught lots of live bait. They did everything from setting up rods, hooking up bait, unhooking our catch, boiled the kettle for a cuppa, once loaded up with bait, we went snapper fishing. Aged from 13-64, we all caught plenty of fish, especially the teens who got bites every time they put their lines into the sea. 46 snapper, 5 kahawai and 1 kingfish (not quite big enough so returned with my sisters initials on the fish as she caught it). Johnny with help from Captain Trent, cleaned, filleted and bagged our large haul of fish. Johnny even prepared the freshest Ocean-to-plate sashimi. We are back at our rental, we butter panned fried snapper for lunch and made a beautiful Samoan oka (ceviche) which is chilling in the fridge for later. Fish is re-bagged, and covered with salt-ice in the fridge for sharing with friends tomorrow. Choose May Marie Charters - reliable and stable boat (especially if you have choppy seas), They have the best rating because it's been earned honestly and with hard work and incredible customer care!!! MAY MARIE KNOW ALL THE SECRET FISHING SPOTS, GUARANTEED TO CATCH FISH. BONUS: They have a kettle for hot drinks, waters and even some chips snacks if you wanted some. SEVEN STARS ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Awww you guys!! We are so humbled reading this review - thank you so much for your kind words. Trent and Johnny work really hard to make each trip a truly memorable experience so to have this feedback is truly wonderful. They had an absolutely wonderful day out with your family today and we love that you have a great feed to take home to share with friends and family. Thanks again for choosing us. We will hopefully see you back on board again soon!
The best charter experience I've ever had. Weather forced a change of plans but everyone was very communicative and went above and beyond to accommodate. Trent and Johnny put us right on some great fishing spots. The boat is very spacious with plenty of room for personal items and while using the fishing gear. Whether you want to book an open party or book the whole boat (which is what I'll be doing next time), I cannot recommend May Marie Charters enough!
Thanks so much Forrest- really appreciate your kind words. Trent and Johnny enjoyed your company - they'll be looking you up if they get over your way! Thanks again for coming out with us and for being so easy to work with while we changed plans with this dodgy weather coming through. We'll look forward to seeing you back on board for the next one!
I have been on a couple of charters and this has been the best by far. The weather was perfect, the team were a vibe and they were attentive to the guests! Even spending quality time with a young boy and giving him the experience of his life, making sure he catches a Kingi - his target fish. The boat was extremely clean - this was a bonus, because you usually expect charters to be slightly messy, but this was by far the best - almost looking new, but knowing it's not, as they clean as they go...this is probably not important to other people, but I loved everything about it...thank you May Marie - you are amazing!!!
Thank you so much for your kind words - this has made our day! The guys loved having you on board and stoked to help get the young fella his kingi! Thanks again for choosing May Marie Charters and we hope to see you back this way again in the future!
Not our best day fishing on May Marie. I have been out several times before on the May Marie and caught some big snapper. We tried for Kingfish this time and one of us landed a decent kingfish. That was exciting for all of us and enough fish for a few days back at the resort. We also went out two days later for a snapper trip and caught some small snapper but no where near our pb’s on May Marie a few years earlier. A really good crew made it once again a great day out in the Bay.
Went out on 13th of March 07am had a great time captain Trent was great and Johnny the deckhand was great as well caught fish 🐟 even catching our bait was fun as then out to deeper water was absolutely 💯 👌 wife and I had a great time was very happy with the service would recommend May Marie charters to anyone that wants go on fishing charter very please thankyou to the Trent the captain and Johnny deckhand
Thank you Richard - much appreciate your kind words! Thanks very much for choosing May Marie!
FAQs about May Marie Charters
- NZ $185 per person - 5 Hour Trip – Snapper Shared (5 hours)
- NZ $185 per person - 5 Hour Trip – Snapper Shared (PM) (5 hours)
- NZ $330 per person - 7 Hour Kingfish Trip (Shared) (7 hours)
- NZ $1,980 per group - 5 Hour Snapper Trip (Private) (5 hours)
- NZ $1,980 per group, additional NZ $220 per person after 6 guests - 7 Hour Kingfish Trip (Private) (7 hours)
- NZ $2,500 per group - 9 Hour Trip (9 hours)
- Toilet Full flush, enclosed toilet
- Air conditioning The enclosed wheelhouse has air conditioning.
- GPS
- Fishfinder
- Live bait well
- Refrigerator
- Outriggers
- Ice box
- Radar
- Rods, reels & tackle
- Live bait (We stop to catch bait on the way out. It's a fun part of the trip and most people enjoy bringing up 2, 3 or 4 at once. The fresh bait yields better fishing results with a better bite and stays on the hook longer than frozen bait. It's also more eco-frie)
- Catch cleaning & filleting (The crew will fillet and bag the days catch ready for guests to take home. This is included in the price. The catch is shared amongst guests so that everyone gets to take something home. If someone catches something they especially want to take home, t)
- Drinks (Water, tea, coffee)
- First mate (Skipper and Deckhand on board.)
- Fishing license (Fishing licenses aren't required for our trips.)
- Inshore fishing
- Nearshore fishing
- Reef fishing
- Light tackle
- Heavy tackle
- Bottom fishing
- Drift fishing
- John Dory
- King Mackerel (Kingfish)
- Salmon (Australian)
- Snapper (Pink)
Your operator
Paihia, New Zealand
We're a family-owned business with a love of fishing. Our Skipper, Trent, has been a keen fisho all his life, having caught his first fish when he was just 3 years old. He started deck-handing when he was 14 years old and, at the time of attaining his SRL, was the youngest Skipper in NZ. He's enthusiastic, friendly and a skilled fisherman. He has salt in his veins and loves getting out on the water with guests, teaching them some tricks of the trade and seeing the excitement as guests reel in their catch. Trent is down-to-earth and guests love his sense of humour and easy-going manner.
Real catches by this captain
What is the boat like?
What kind of fishing will you do?
Which fishing techniques you can try
Which amenities are available onboard
How cancellations work
You can cancel or modify your booking up to 3 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.
What the listing policies are
Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
How you can pay
When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% deposit to guarantee your reservation.
The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:
Cash
Visa
Bank transfer
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 1.5% charge will apply.
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