New Zealand · BOAT TOURS IN BAY OF ISLANDS

15 Boat Tours in Bay of Islands, Weighed Against Each Other

29 tours  ·  from $53

15 boat tours in Bay of Islands that repay the money, with the price, the running time and who each one suits. The first entry is the one the rest have to beat.

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/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

2.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

3.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

4.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

5.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: 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

6.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

7.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

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

9.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

10.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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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

11.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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Paihia: Hole in the Rock Fast Boat Ocean Adventure - Leaving Paihia and reaching open water
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Paihia: Hole in the Rock Fast Boat Ocean Adventure

12.Hole in the Rock Fast Boat Ocean Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 132 reviews · 1h 30m · from $89

Take a 90-minute open-air catamaran from Paihia to Cape Brett, Cathedral Cave, and the Hole in the Rock. Your skipper, possibly Gavin, GG, or Marty, provides live English commentary while you speed among the Bay of Islands’ 144 islands. You may pass through the rock and cave when sea conditions allow.

“What a great way to get out to see the Hole in the Rock. The Jet boat made the trip much quicker, enabling engaging in additional excursions on our one day cruise visit. We were fortunate to strike a sunny and reasonably calm day weatherwise allowing two passes through the rock. Compared to previous experiences the comfort of the boat was surprisingly greatly appreciated. Would strongly recommend this activity.”

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From Paihia: Full-Day Bay of Islands Cruise - Sailing toward Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock
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From Paihia: Full-Day Bay of Islands Cruise

13.Full-Day Bay of Islands Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 119 reviews · 8h 30m · from $116

Spend 510 minutes cruising the Bay of Islands aboard a purpose-built vessel with an English-speaking skipper and crew. Follow the historic Cream Trip route to Cape Brett and Hole in the Rock, watch for dolphins and whales, swim or walk at Urupukapuka Island, and try boom-netting when conditions allow. Lunch is extra.

“Fantastic trip very informative skipper Paul and great sense of humour. Bottle nose dolphins were a fabulous addition to the cruise.”

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Bay of Islands: Awesome Day Sailing Tour with Island Stop - The Bay of Islands by sail, caves, and lava rock
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Bay of Islands: Awesome Day Sailing Tour with Island Stop

14.Bay of Islands: Awesome Day Sailing Tour with Island Stop

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 101 reviews · 6 hours · from $104

Join Captain Mike and crew aboard the 65-foot Gungha II for six hours around the Bay of Islands. Help sail or stretch out on deck, watch for dolphins and penguins, then swim or walk ashore at a secluded island. Fresh snacks, lunch, snorkel gear, drinks, and a hot outdoor shower are included.

“Fabulous sail comfortable and the food was great Guide was great Captain great One of the best sailing trips I’ve had and Bay of Islands was stunning I highly recommended”

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Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sundowner Sailing - Arriving in Russell and finding the ship
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Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sundowner Sailing

15.Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sundowner Sailing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 100 reviews · from $61

Join the R. Tucker Thompson in Russell for a relaxed 1-hour-50-minute sail through the inner Bay of Islands. Help raise the sails, enjoy a shared antipasto platter, buy a drink at the licensed bar, and climb the rigging if conditions allow. Paihia visitors receive return ferry tickets, making this a fine afternoon and evening outing.

“booked to sail to hole in the rock , but Captain said wind was not from right direction , a bit disappointed , only sailed across harbour and back , a bit tame and boring , crew were friendly and cheerful , trip was over too soon . Darryl and Xian”

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New in Boat Tours in Bay of Islands

★ 4.5Electric Boats to explore Kerikeri river14 reviews
★ 5.0Bay of Islands Discovery Experience from Auckland incl. Hole In The Rock CruiseFrom $65012 reviews
★ 5.0The Rock Adventure Overnight CruiseFrom $2858 reviews
★ 4.8The Rock Adventure Day CruiseFrom $1727 reviews
★ 4.8Bay of Islands Dolphin Eco Cruise & Island StopoverFrom $8912 reviews
★ 4.8Hole in the Rock Tour & Bay of Islands CruiseFrom $8614 reviews
★ 5.0Bay of Islands Tour & Cruise 2Day Small Group TourFrom $4394 reviews
★ 5.0Bay of Islands Day Tour with Dolphin CruiseFrom $28311 reviews

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