The 15 Boat Tours in the Bay of Islands to Lock In Early

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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Bay of Islands Tours, Boat Tours in the Bay of Islands, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Tour Reviews

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

2.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”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

3.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…”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

The Rock Adventure Overnight Cruise

4.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”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

5.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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

From Paihia: Scenic Cruise with Roberton Island Stopover

6.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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

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

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

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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Bay of Islands Tours, Boat Tours in the Bay of Islands, Cruises & Boat Tours, Sailing, Sailing Trips in the Bay of Islands, Tour Reviews, Wildlife & Nature Tours

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

8.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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

9.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”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

Bay of Islands: Discover the Bay Cruise with Island Lunch

10.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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

11.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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Bay of Islands Tours, Boat Tours in the Bay of Islands, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Tour Reviews

Hole in the Rock Scenic Cruise including Dolphins and Island stop

12.Hole in the Rock Scenic Cruise including Dolphins and Island stop

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 225 reviews · from $105

Cruise New Zealand’s Bay of Islands to the Hole in the Rock, spot dolphins, and enjoy 90 minutes to swim, hike, or eat on Urupukapuka Island.

“Enjoyable few hours on the cruise. But bumpy in places on the way out so if you suffer from travel sickness definitely recommend you take a tablet before. Unfortunately we didn’t see any dolphins but enjoyed it all the same”

Check availability →Read our full review

Bay of Islands Tours, Boat Tours in the Bay of Islands, Cruises & Boat Tours, Full-Day, Sailing, Sailing Trips in the Bay of Islands, Tour Reviews, Tours

Full-Day Bay of Islands Tour by Vigilant Yacht Charters

13.Full-Day Bay of Islands Tour by Vigilant Yacht Charters

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 219 reviews · from $114

Sail the Bay of Islands from Russell on a small-group yacht with lunch, kayaking, snorkeling, island walks, and local crew.

“Great sailing trip with Nathalie and Anita!!! Wonderful experience and an unforgettable day with two lovely skippers. We really can recommend this tour. Birgit and Dietrich”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

Phantom Sailing Bay of Islands

14.Phantom Sailing Bay of Islands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 177 reviews · from $121

Review of Phantom Sailing in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands, with a small group, island walk, homemade lunch, snorkeling, and dolphin sightings.

“We had a great time sailing with Robin and Rick. She fixed us a nice lunch, and he regaled us with stories from his vast, and not only sailing, experience. Sailing went smoothly, and we had some time for swimming and hiking on Robinton Island.”

Check availability →Read our full review