Bay of Islands Tours, Tickets & Excursions

Half day cruise of the Bay of islands including the famous Hole in the Rock, Island stopover and marine mammal viewing. The perfect water activity for your visit to the Bay of Islands.

When your ship docks in Waitangi Wharf, explore the beautiful Bay of Islands and see the best of New Zealand’s spectacular North Island. Travel through the Bay of Islands with your guide and take in top attractions including Kawakawa and the Kawiti glowworm caves. Explore the Puketi Forest’s rich ecological diversity, sample New Zealand sweet treats at the Makana Chocolate Factory, and gaze out over the Haruru Falls and the Waitangi River.

Sail the Bay of Islands on a working tall ship aboard the famed ‘R. Tucker Thompson,’ built in the tradition of a 100-year-old Northland schooner. Ply the waters of the pristine bay, where you can help hoist the sails, climb the rigging or simply relax on board, then swim while anchored in a sheltered bay in the maritime park. Enjoy morning tea and a barbecue lunch, with an optional complimentary ferry ride from Paihia to Russell, where your vessel departs.

Half Day Hole in the Rock Cruise & Island Stopover Escape the crowds and discover the Bay of Islands on a scenic cruise through 144 subtropical islands and along the Cape Brett Peninsular. Listen to the stories and history of the area, keep an eye out for wildlife, and visit the famous Hole in the Rock on Motukokako Island. Enjoy a stopover on one of the remote islands and take a short walk to the island lookout point for stunning views over the Bay of Islands. The perfect way to explore the Bay of Islands! Suitable for all ages, families, solo travelers and couples...experience it all!

Let seafaring experts show you the best of New Zealand’s Bay of Islands by land and by water on this adventure cruise. With 144 different isles, it can be hard to know where to start, but your captain and crew know all the best spots to swim, snorkel, stand-up paddleboard, and spot marine life. Hop off at two hand-picked islands for a hike to panoramic lookout points and beachside tea with biscuits.

Avoid the crowds at in-demand locations like the Hole in the Rock and the Haruru Falls. Instead, spend your shore day at one of Northland’s hidden gems with this private tour to the Kawiti Glow Worm Caves. Walk through an otherworldly limestone cave system full of stalactites and stalagmites, all lit up by New Zealand glow worms, on this tour led by a member of the Māori family who act as guardians for the cave and its glowing residents.

Explore subtropical islands, Maori heritage sites and golden beaches on this cruise around the Bay of Islands from Paihia. Soak up the scenery as you float between the bay’s 144 islands, sail straight through the iconic Hole in the Rock (weather permitting) and tuck into a BBQ lunch or dinner at the stunning Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island. Along the way, spot dolphins swimming and playing alongside the boat.

There’s no better way to discover the 144 sub-tropical islands that stud the Bay of Islands than on a cruise. With a top limit of just 20 passengers, this intimate boat trip delivers two island stopovers, one at Roberton Island or Twin Lagoons, plus the chance to hike, swim, snorkel, or even try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding. Look out for dolphins along the way.

The Bay of Islands is a place to indulge and have fun. On this tour experience some of New Zealand’s finest quality wines. The cost includes all tastings and a platter lunch.

The Bay of Islands is made up of 144 islands, and the best way to explore them is by boat. On this island-hopping day cruise, you can relax on board a comfortable catamaran while admiring the beautiful views of the sea, islands, and maybe even some dolphins. Snorkel, swim, or paddle board, and stop on land to visit a wildlife sanctuary. This is the easy way to see the bay, as it’s difficult to travel here independently without a boat.

Fly over the Northland coastline on a scenic flight between Paihia and Cape Reinga. Soar above Ninety Mile Beach before landing for a minibus tour at the top end of New Zealand's North Island. Visit Cape Reinga Lighthouse, where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean, then stroll along the beach at Tapotupotu Bay and surf the sand dunes of Te Paki. Look down on remote Parengarenga Harbour and Great Exhibition Bay on your return flight. Includes morning tea and round-trip hotel transfers.

There are few more unique ways to see the Bay of Islands than catching the wind and parasailing high above the water. See the Bay’s towns, forests and islands – all the way out to Cape Brett’s famous Hole in the Rock – from the sky on this aerial adventure. Take to the skies with your friends or family on tandem or triple flights. Your children can even go parasailing – this adventure is suitable for all.

Stand on the spot where New Zealand’s founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed in 1840. Find out how this document was forged with admission to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Your day pass is valid for two consecutive days and includes an informative guided tour, an introductory film, a cultural performance, and full access to the historic site.

Spend an evening immersed in Maori culture with a traditional ‘hangi’ dinner and live performance, held at the historically important signing site of the Waitangi Treaty. Enact a warrior challenge on a bush walk and watch energetic Maori music and dance. For dinner, feast on a multilayered meal cooked using the ancient hangi pit oven method.

Travelers short on time in the Bay of Islands can get a comprehensive overview of many highlights in just one day. With a local guide and live commentary on board your bus, you’ll visit Haruru Falls, the Makana Chocolate Boutique, the Kawhiti Caves, scenic lookouts, and more. There’s even time to take a calming stroll in the forest, admiring the local trees on the easy Manginangina Kauri Walk.

Usual Summer Schedule: 10am, 1pm & 4pm. Times may vary please check Your Kayaking/Paddleboarding can be dry, but bring a towel, change of clothes or wear swimwear (you may enjoy getting up closer to the waterfall than you plan) Bring a warm jacket, camera, sunscreen, sun protection, drinking water, nibbles etc in a small bag.

Soak up all the North Island highlights on this 5-day journey from Auckland by coach, including a Bay of Islands cruise to see the Hole in the Rock. Your itinerary includes a drive along Ninety Mile Beach at Cape Reinga; enjoy an overnight stay near the bubbling hot springs of Rotorua; a visit to Waitomo Caves for a boat ride through Glowworm Grotto; and a Hobbiton Movie Set tour to see filming locations for ‘The Lord of the Rings.’ Listen to informative commentary on board.

Explore the Bay of Islands from the seat of a 350 Chev Trike for a fun-filled and memorable experience. You can choose from three different routes that include some of the area’s must-see sights, or combine them all for a longer trip. Your driver keeps you safe and gives you local insights into the Paihia area. This tour is wheelchair accessible, so anyone can join.

Discover the Bay of Islands by helicopter, with an optional landing at the Hole in the Rock. See Cape Brett from above during an aerial tour from Paihia, narrated by a professional pilot. Fly over Russell and Waitangi en route to the Hole in the Rock. Upgrade to land atop the iconic natural landmark, with an optional walk led by a Maori guide.

Cruising is the best way to see the sub-tropical Bay of Islands. Do this in style aboard the Phantom, a live-aboard private yacht. Your hosts are an enthusiastic sailing family who have traveled the world in their yacht. Sit back and relax on board the Phantom while enjoying views of the islands and bay, with possible dolphin sightings and the chance to snorkel.

When your cruise ship arrives in the Bay of Islands, escape the crowds with a small-group half-day tour to two gorgeous islands. Go snorkeling at pristine island reefs, try stand-up paddle boarding, take a short hike to viewpoints, and look for New Zealand wildlife. You’ll ride on a small motorboat that can access places that large ships cannot go, and hear live commentary from your guide about the region.

Enjoy a private half-day sightseeing tour of the Bay of Islands region led by a knowledgeable guide. Personalize the itinerary with options including historical sites like the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, The Stone Store and Kemp House in Kerikeri, and Russell — where Europeans first settled in New Zealand. See St Paul's Anglican Church in Paihia, learn about Maori culture at Rewa‘s Village, and admire natural attractions including marine wildlife, Haruru Falls and Rainbow Falls. Or check out wineries and gourmet shops with handmade treats, fine wine and fresh seafood.

Experience nature is at its best on a 40-minute Bay of Islands cruise followed by a kayak excursion. Paddle past mangrove forests to a wondrous waterfall, with the option to depart in the morning, afternoon or at sunset. If you’d like, opt for a paddleboard instead. You’ll view birdlife and learn the cultural history of the Maori people with commentary by a knowledgeable guide.

Electric boat hire is enormously popular in the rest of the world but ours are the very first electric boats for hire in New Zealand. Our boats are very easy to drive, no experience or license is required. The "Akaroa" boat is the easiest to drive so we recommend that one for complete beginners. We are in the most perfect, sheltered location, the winding Kerikeri river offers a new vista around every bend and is teeming with wildlife. The silent motor allows you to get up close to wildlife without disturbing them. We have a choice of five different boats to suit singles, couple and groups of up to 7 people. We have enough boats for a maximum of 21 people at a time. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.