15 Bay of Islands Tours Worth the Petrol

Paihia/Russell: Hole in the Rock Cruise with 2 Island Stops - Leaving Paihia or Russell and crossing the inner bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,002 reviews · 4h 30m · from $90Our pick

Cruise New Zealand’s Bay of Islands to the Hole in the Rock, two island stops, snorkeling, wildlife, and Cape Brett views.

“Such a beautiful experience — a stunning place with friendly staff. You get to enjoy a lovely walk on a beautiful island and swim at another. We were very lucky to see dolphins and orcas during the cruise. A must-do if you’re staying in the Bay of Islands!”

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Bay of Islands Tours, Lunch Experiences, Tour Reviews

Paihia: Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach Trip with Lunch

2.Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach Trip with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 877 reviews · 11 hours · from $104

Review of the 11-hour Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach tour from Paihia, with Māori culture, lunch, sandboarding, and practical tips.

“Very convenient way to be able to travel around Cape Reinga. Plenty of rest stops and sights to see. Drive over beach was great!”

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Paihia/Russell: Hole in the Rock, Dolphins & Island Cruise

3.Paihia/Russell: Hole in the Rock, Dolphins & Island Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 821 reviews · 4h 30m · from $95

Review the Paihia or Russell Bay of Islands cruise to Hole in the Rock, with dolphins, island time, wildlife, and practical booking tips.

“We meet a group of Dolphins on our way. They stayed and flirted with us for almost 20 minutes or so”

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Hole in the Rock Cruise & Island Tour – with two island stopovers

4.Hole in the Rock Cruise & Island Tour – with two island stopovers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 701 reviews · from $104Top rated

Review of the Bay of Islands Hole in the Rock cruise, with two island stops, swimming, snorkeling, wildlife, and practical booking advice.

“I highly recommend this tour. A local company which provided great local information on all the islands and history. Hamish the captain was very knowledgeable and had a good sense humour as well. The crew were fantastic and very accommodating especially with my daughter who has a disability they made her day extra special. The blankets which were provided were a very nice touch to keep us warm on the trip. We were able to travel through the hole in the rock which was very exciting. The 2 island stop overs were amazing and the view from the top of the first island was incredible. Thank you for such an…”

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The Rock Adventure Overnight Cruise

5.The Rock Adventure Overnight Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 457 reviews · from $296

Review of The Rock Adventure Overnight Cruise in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands, with kayaking, snorkeling, meals, cabins, and practical tips.

“This trip is 100% worth the money. Fun activities, a lovely crew, great food and a really chill atmosphere. Not as rushed as other touristic adventures. And you get to do night kayaking and swim in bioluminescent plankton! It felt like being surrouRead more”

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Bay of Islands Tours, BBQ, Boat Tours in the Bay of Islands, Cruises & Boat Tours, Lunch Experiences, Sailing, Sailing Trips in the Bay of Islands, Tour Reviews

Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sailing on R. Tucker Thompson Including BBQ Lunch

6.Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sailing on R. Tucker Thompson Including BBQ Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 361 reviews · from $111

Review of the R. Tucker Thompson tall ship cruise in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands, with sailing, scones, BBQ lunch, island stops, and practical tips.

“Capt Magnus and his crew showed us just how beautiful the Bay of Islands really is! Fascinating to learn the history of the ship’s creation and how this activity directly supports youth development in sailing. Bravo Zulu!”

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From Paihia: Scenic Cruise with Roberton Island Stopover

7.Scenic Cruise with Roberton Island Stopover

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 332 reviews · 3 hours · from $78

Review of Paihia’s small-group Bay of Islands cruise, Roberton Island walk, Hole in the Rock, wildlife, value, and practical tips.

“the island stop offs and of course the hole in the rock amazing sight. The crew gave us the best experience they could while keeping everyones safety and comfort in front of mind.”

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Paihia: Glass Bottom Boat Tour to the Hole in the Rock

8.Glass Bottom Boat Tour to the Hole in the Rock

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 319 reviews · 2h 30m · from $74

Review of Paihia’s 2.5-hour glass-bottom boat tour to the Hole in the Rock, with fish feeding, island views, costs, tips, and drawbacks.

“trip was good. just a shames we were not able to get through the hole in the rock. very informative. excellent guide.”

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Bay of Islands Tours, Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews, Tours, Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tours

Bay of Islands Glow Worm Caves & Scenic Shore Excursion

9.Bay of Islands Glow Worm Caves & Scenic Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 317 reviews · from $139

Explore Bay of Islands glow worm caves, Haruru Falls, kauri forest, and chocolate tasting on a practical 5.5-hour shore excursion.

“The guide was very informative and the caves were amazing very different to anything we had seen before.”

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Bay of Islands Tours, Tour Reviews

Waitangi Treaty Grounds Admission

10.Waitangi Treaty Grounds Admission

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 314 reviews · from $45

Explore Waitangi Treaty Grounds with a guided tour, Māori cultural show, museums, and two-day admission in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands.

“Informative guide and an enjoyable presentation of Maori traditions. Beautiful grounds - well signed…”

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Island Hopper Day Cruise – sailing to wildlife sanctuary island – 6 hr cruise

11.Island Hopper Day Cruise – sailing to wildlife sanctuary island – 6 hr cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 301 reviews · from $139

Review of Barefoot Sailing Adventures’ six-hour Bay of Islands cruise, with wildlife sanctuary stop, lunch, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and practical tips.

“Nice day great crew. Be sure to hike over the hill to the other cove. It is 10 x more beautiful that the cove they are able to dock in. And the walk is challenging but really nice.”

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Bay of Islands: 4.5 Hour Day Cruise and Island Getaway Tour

12.Bay of Islands: 4.5 Hour Day Cruise and Island Getaway Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 283 reviews · 4h 30m · from $90

Cruise the Bay of Islands, walk Roberton Island, snorkel secluded coves, and sail through the Hole in the Rock on a friendly half-day tour.

“Nick was great captain. I’ve had boats before but the way he navigated that boat through Hole in the Rock was impressive! Very informative tour”

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Bay of Islands: Discover the Bay Cruise with Island Lunch

13.Bay of Islands: Discover the Bay Cruise with Island Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 265 reviews · 4h 30m · from $107

Review of the Bay of Islands Discover the Bay Cruise, with the Hole in the Rock, island lunch, wildlife, and a 1.5-hour stop.

“We loved our trip around the Bay of Islands, Our Skipper - Bronwyn - did an excellent job of navigating past a very playful group of dolphins, who just wouldn’t leave us alone! Bronwyn made the passage through the Hole in The Rock seem like child’s play, even though the boat we were on was not much smaller than the gap! We enjoyed an excellent buffet lunch at the Ohehei Bay Beach Cafe….more than enough for everyone. All in all a most enjoyable few hours.”

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Bay of Islands Tours, Boat Tours in the Bay of Islands, Cruises & Boat Tours, Lunch Experiences, Tour Reviews

Discover the Bay – Hole in the Rock cruise includes Island Lunch

14.Discover the Bay – Hole in the Rock cruise includes Island Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 265 reviews · from $117

Review of the Bay of Islands Hole in the Rock cruise from Paihia, with dolphin spotting, island lunch, Cape Brett, and practical booking tips.

“Amazing experience ! A tourist must do cruise. Staff on board very helpful. Cruise went through the black rock hole which was very unexpected for us.”

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Bay of Islands Tours, Tandem Skydiving, Tour Reviews

Bay of Islands: 12,000ft Skydive

15.Bay of Islands: 12,000ft Skydive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 253 reviews · from $93

Review of the Bay of Islands 12,000ft skydive, covering the views, 40-second freefall, price, safety rules, transport, and booking tips.

“This is the most efficient, well run place I have ever seen. It’s a tight ship and they know what they’re doing. Of course I had a great time; I was skydiving.”

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