New Zealand · BAY OF ISLANDS TOURS

The 15 Best Bay of Islands Tours & Cruises

56 tours  ·  from $20

A hundred and forty islands, a rock with a hole in it, and the country’s founding treaty ground. These 15 compare the cruises from Paihia and Russell, the Cape Reinga run and the sailing days, priced and timed.

Paihia/Russell: Hole in the Rock Cruise with 2 Island Stops - A small boat with enough room to breathe
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Paihia/Russell: Hole in the Rock Cruise with 2 Island Stops

1.Paihia/Russell: Hole in the Rock Cruise with 2 Island Stops

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

Spend 4.5 hours with Island Getaway exploring the Bay of Islands from Paihia or Russell. Cruise past Cape Brett, try for the Hole in the Rock, walk to Roberton Island’s Twin Lagoons lookout, then swim or snorkel at a second island. Boats carry no more than 49 passengers, with live commentary from guides such as Blair, Hamish, and Zac.

“The crew was great and very helpful, especially when my wife got a little seasick. Very good tour. We were even able to see a great white shark! Highly recommend it.”

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Paihia: Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach Trip with Lunch - The long road north from Paihia
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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

Spend 11 hours traveling from Paihia to Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach in a purpose-built 46-seat coach. Your English-speaking guide, including guides such as George, Barry, Tanya, or Willy, shares Māori stories and local history. Enjoy lunch, lighthouse views, beach driving, and sandboarding when tides and weather allow.

“A great day out without the pressure of doing the driving yourself. Excellent stop for coffee , lunch and tea. Really friendly drivers either way lots of local knowledge topped off with blast down 90mile beach fantastic day all round”

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Paihia/Russell: Hole in the Rock and Bay of Islands Cruise - Sailing from Paihia or Russell
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Paihia/Russell: Hole in the Rock and Bay of Islands Cruise

3.Paihia/Russell: Hole in the Rock and Bay of Islands Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 727 reviews · from $94

Cruise from Paihia or Russell among the Bay of Islands to Cape Brett and Motukōkako, the Hole in the Rock. Your English-speaking crew provides lively commentary, with optional audio in Chinese, French, or German. Conditions permitting, the catamaran passes through the rock, then stops 1.5 hours at Otehei Bay for swimming, food, and hilltop views.

“Great cruise , so informative captain with a sense of humour. Excellent route and knowledge of the area . All staff polite and helpful to ensure enjoyable experience.”

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Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sailing on R. Tucker Thompson Including BBQ Lunch - Five and a half hours across the Bay of Islands
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Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sailing on R. Tucker Thompson Including BBQ Lunch

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

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

Spend about 5.5 hours aboard the R. Tucker Thompson, a working replica schooner sailing from Russell through the Bay of Islands. Captain Magnus and the crew invite you to help with sails, steer, climb the rigging, swim, or simply enjoy the scenery. Morning tea, fresh scones, a chicken BBQ lunch, and optional return ferry transport from Paihia are included.

“A brilliant experience with lots of activity, if you want, or do nothing. Skipper Magnus and his crew ensured that everyone had a fabulous time on board the sailing ship.”

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From Paihia: Scenic Cruise with Roberton Island Stopover - Leaving Pier 10 in Paihia
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From Paihia: Scenic Cruise with Roberton Island Stopover

5.Scenic Cruise with Roberton Island Stopover

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

Set out from Paihia with an English-speaking guide on a three-hour cruise through the Bay of Islands. Walk to Roberton Island’s 360-degree lookout, watch for dolphins and penguins, and visit the Hole in the Rock and Cape Brett Lighthouse when weather allows. Boats carry no more than 49 passengers.

“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 - Deep Water Cove and the Okahu Passage
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Paihia: Glass Bottom Boat Tour to the Hole in the Rock

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

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

From Paihia’s Main Wharf, you’ll ride a small boat through the Bay of Islands, passing coves, cliffs, and golden beaches before reaching the Hole in the Rock. If sea conditions allow, the skipper takes you through it. At Otehei Bay, you’ll feed fish and watch them through the lifted glass floor. Guides such as Jeff, Geoff, and Pete provide live commentary.

“Fantastic morning with a fab skipper everyone loved it xx🐠🐟🐬”

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Bay of Islands Glow Worm Caves & Scenic Shore Excursion - Makana Chocolate Boutique adds a sweet break
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Bay of Islands Glow Worm Caves & Scenic Shore Excursion

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

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

Spend 5.5 hours touring Northland from Waitangi Wharf or your hotel. You’ll visit Haruru Falls, the Kawiti Glow Worm Caves, Makana Chocolate Boutique, and the Manginangina Kauri Walk with live commentary from guides such as Dyson, Rob, Greg, or Gareth. Port pickup and return are included.

“We had a great tour guide/bus driver. He kept us informed along the route about the areas we were going through and the tour we were about to experience. He was knowledgeable about the area and history of the Glo Worm Cave. He also was enthusiastic about the Kauri Trees preservation and their history.”

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Bay of Islands: 4.5 Hour Day Cruise and Island Getaway Tour - Roberton Island and the Twin Lagoons lookout
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Bay of Islands: 4.5 Hour Day Cruise and Island Getaway Tour

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

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

Spend 4.5 hours with Island Getaway exploring the Bay of Islands by small boat. You’ll visit Roberton Island, walk to its Twin Lagoons lookout, cruise past wildlife and Cape Brett, and stop at a second island for swimming, snorkeling, or paddleboarding. Guides such as Nick, Hamish, Blue, Adam, and Blair are known for lively local commentary.

“Awesome time out, well worth the trip. Hamish our skipper was very experienced at navigating the various conditions and thanks to the ladies for your support, itinerary and making sure everyone on board was ok during some rough sea conditions.”

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Bay of Islands: Discover the Bay Cruise with Island Lunch - Wildlife watching on a permitted vessel
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Bay of Islands: Discover the Bay Cruise with Island Lunch

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

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

Cruise among the Bay of Islands on a custom-built power cat, with live English commentary, wildlife watching, and a possible passage through the Hole in the Rock. You will stop for 1.5 hours at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island, where lunch is included and summer activities include kayaks and paddleboards.

“We got lucky with the weather, and we went on a nice sunny day. The tour was a combination of excitement when we went through the hole in the rock, and also joy of relaxing on the Urupukapuka island. A strong recommendation if the weather permits. We didn’t see any dolphins on our way but was definitely worth it.”

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Full-Day Bay of Islands Tour by Vigilant Yacht Charters - Why the wind shapes your day
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Full-Day Bay of Islands Tour by Vigilant Yacht Charters

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

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

Join a small group of up to 10 aboard Vigilant from Russell at 10am. Nat, Dallas, Anita, or Nick may guide the day, shaped by the wind. Sail among the Bay’s 144 islands, stop for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, or a beach walk, then enjoy lunch, tea, coffee, and local commentary before returning to Russell.

“Unfortunately our cruise ship notified us within the 24 hours that they weren’t able to dock at Bay of Islands. The tour provider kept the entire amount. It was their right under the Viator agreement. However, this happened at another port and the tour provider gave back a portion of the cost—that is providing excellent customer service.”

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Waitangi Treaty Grounds: 2-Day Pass - Starting with the film and guided tour
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Waitangi Treaty Grounds: 2-Day Pass

11.Waitangi Treaty Grounds: 2-Day Pass

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 179 reviews · 2 days · from $41Best value

Spend two consecutive days at Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. Your pass includes a 50-minute guided tour, introductory film, two museums, historic buildings, the world’s largest ceremonial waka, and a 30-minute Māori performance with poi, haka, music, and traditional weapons.

“Our guide was great, very knowledgeable and personable, The cultural performance was amazing. The grounds are full of history. I learned a lot.”

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Phantom Sailing Bay of Islands - Leaving Russell at 10:00 am
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Phantom Sailing Bay of Islands

12.Phantom Sailing Bay of Islands

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

Spend about five and a half hours aboard Phantom, a live-aboard yacht sailing from Russell through the Bay of Islands. Rick and Robin host up to 10 people, sharing sailing stories and local knowledge. You can walk to an island viewpoint, swim, snorkel, enjoy a homemade lunch, and watch for dolphins.

“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.”

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Bay of Islands: Catamaran Sail, Wildlife Island & Lunch - The outward sail through 144 islands
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Bay of Islands: Catamaran Sail, Wildlife Island & Lunch

13.Bay of Islands: Catamaran Sail, Wildlife Island & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 173 reviews · 6 hours · from $134

Spend six hours sailing from Paihia with Barefoot Sailing Adventures. Help steer, stretch out on beanbags, and watch for penguins, dolphins, seals, and seabirds. After two hours on a wildlife sanctuary island, you can swim, snorkel, paddleboard, hike, or eat a packed lunch. Luke and his crew provide local stories, hot drinks, and a cold drink for the return sail.

“We absolutely loved our guides and the atmosphere! Great sense of humour and genuine interest in getting to know each and every person on the tour!”

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Paihia: Bay of Islands Trike Tour Experience - Starting at Paihia’s waterfront
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Paihia: Bay of Islands Trike Tour Experience

14.Bay of Islands Trike Tour Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 160 reviews · 30 minutes - 1 hour · from $74

Climb aboard a seat-belted V8 Chevy Trike with an English-speaking driver-guide such as Steve, Mark, Andy, or Wayne. Choose a 30-minute scenic or thriller ride, or combine Haruru Falls, Waitangi Lookout, and Opua in one hour. Expect local commentary, big views, twisty roads, and a small step onto the trike.

“Awesome experience and Wayne was a wonderful driver. We saw done fantastic scenery and we loved the adrenaline portion of the ride. We highly recommend this experience.”

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Bay of Islands: Full-Day Tall Ship Sailing Excursion - What You Can Do Once the Sails Go Up
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Bay of Islands: Full-Day Tall Ship Sailing Excursion

15.Bay of Islands: Full-Day Tall Ship Sailing Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 147 reviews · 5h 30m · from $107

Spend about five and a half hours aboard the locally built R. Tucker Thompson, a working tall ship sailing from Russell through the Bay of Islands. Help raise sails, take the helm, climb the rigging, swim from the ship, or relax with scones, tea, and a BBQ lunch. Your fare also supports a youth sailing program.

“Fantastic day - the only way to experience the Bay of Islands”

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