New Zealand · BAY OF ISLANDS TOURS

The 14 Best Bay of Islands Tours & Cruises

14 tours  ·  from $41 a head

A hundred and forty islands, dolphins most days and a hole in a rock you can drive a boat through. The 14 below cover the cruises, the sailing days and the trip up to Cape Reinga, priced and clear about sea conditions.

Paihia/Russell: Hole in the Rock Cruise with 2 Island Stops - The first island stop and the Twin Lagoons view
Bay of Islands Tours, Boat Tours in the Bay of Islands, Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews

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

Paihia/Russell: Hole in the Rock and Bay of Islands Cruise - From Paihia or Russell toward Cape Brett
Bay of Islands Tours, Boat Tours in the Bay of Islands, Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews

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

Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sailing on R. Tucker Thompson Including BBQ Lunch - Russell is the practical starting point
Bay of Islands Tours, BBQ, Boat Tours in the Bay of Islands, Cruises & Boat Tours, Lunch Experiences, Sailing, Tour Reviews

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

Sail the Bay of Islands aboard the R. Tucker Thompson with scones, BBQ lunch, island stops, rope swings, and hands-on sailing.

“Such a breath of fresh air, the scenery and smoothness of this ride was just what the Doctor ordered. The Tall ship and its crew were sensational and I felt very safe! What a wonderful educational opportunity for the young girls and boys to learn how to sail. It was a great day on the ship and meeting other people as well! Thank you!”

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From Paihia: Scenic Cruise with Roberton Island Stopover - Leaving Paihia Wharf and finding your sea legs
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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

Cruise the Bay of Islands from Paihia, walk Roberton Island, spot wildlife, and see the Hole in the Rock with a small, friendly crew.

“It was an enchanting experience being able to go through the hole in the rock.I appreciate them calling my phone to reschedule the trip since the original date i booked for was not gonna be a perfect weather to go on the trip. I can already say they look out for me and my family's best experience! Thank you everyone for keeping us all safe!”

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Paihia: Glass Bottom Boat Tour to the Hole in the Rock - Golden beaches, coves, and the run toward Cape Brett
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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

Review of Paihia's 2.5-hour glass-bottom boat tour to the Hole in the Rock, with fish feeding, small-group sailing, tips, and value advice.

“Thank you so much we had a brilliant time. My 3 x kids (8-12 yrs) are still buzzing and raving about the trip. Awesome experience, will definitely recommend and be back again sometime in the future.”

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Bay of Islands Glow Worm Caves & Scenic Shore Excursion - Haruru Falls, a quick stop with a local setting
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Bay of Islands Glow Worm Caves & Scenic Shore Excursion

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

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

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

“The country-side tour was most enjoyable, and the glow worm cave was fascinating. That said, the tour guide did not seem to have the knowledge our other tour guides have had. Additionally, being on an excursion that stops at specific businesses - attempting to have the tourists make purchases - is VERY off putting.”

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Bay of Islands: 4.5 Hour Day Cruise and Island Getaway Tour - Roberton Island and the 360-degree view
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Bay of Islands: 4.5 Hour Day Cruise and Island Getaway Tour

Bay of Islands: Discover the Bay Cruise with Island Lunch - The Hole in the Rock, with weather in command
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

Full-Day Bay of Islands Tour by Vigilant Yacht Charters - The island stop: beach, trail, cave, and water time
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Full-Day Bay of Islands Tour by Vigilant Yacht Charters

Waitangi Treaty Grounds: 2-Day Pass - Start with the 50-minute guided tour
2-Day Experiences, Bay of Islands Tours, Tour Reviews

Waitangi Treaty Grounds: 2-Day Pass

10.Waitangi Treaty Grounds: 2-Day Pass

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

Spend two days at Waitangi Treaty Grounds with guided history, Māori performance, museums, bush walks, and Bay of Islands views.

“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 - Sailing among the Bay of Islands
Bay of Islands Tours, Boat Tours in the Bay of Islands, Cruises & Boat Tours, Sailing, Tour Reviews

Phantom Sailing Bay of Islands

11.Phantom Sailing Bay of Islands

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

Sail the Bay of Islands aboard the Phantom with hosts Rick and Robin, enjoying a small group, island walk, snorkeling, lunch, 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.”

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Bay of Islands: Catamaran Sail, Wildlife Island & Lunch - The two-hour stop on a wildlife sanctuary island
Bay of Islands Tours, Boat Tours in the Bay of Islands, Cruises & Boat Tours, Lunch Experiences, Sailing, Tour Reviews, Wildlife

Bay of Islands: Catamaran Sail, Wildlife Island & Lunch

Bay of Islands: Full-Day Tall Ship Sailing Excursion - Getting to Russell for the 10:00 sailing
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Bay of Islands: Full-Day Tall Ship Sailing Excursion

14.Full-Day Tall Ship Sailing Excursion

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

Sail the Bay of Islands on the R. Tucker Thompson, with hands-on rigging, fresh scones, BBQ lunch, swimming, and island views.

“Great day. Couldn’t be better. Admittedly the weather was great and we saw a load of dolphins but .. the crew really knew their stuff”

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Where to go, and what to do when you get there

Pick an island, a lake or a cave.