New Zealand · BOAT TOURS IN THE BAY OF ISLANDS

15 Boat Tours in the Bay of Islands Worth Booking

23 tours  ·  from $53 a head

The 15 best boat tours in the Bay of Islands you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.

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
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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
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

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: 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
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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

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

9.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

11.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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Paihia: Hole in the Rock Fast Boat Ocean Adventure - Cape Brett and the lighthouse
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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

Ride from Paihia to the Hole in the Rock on a 90-minute fast boat tour with cave visits, wildlife, local stories, and dramatic Bay of Islands views.

“Fun and exhilarating. Guide (Gavin) was informative and friendly. Calming when needed. A great guide who played good music as we left the wharf.”

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From Paihia: Full-Day Bay of Islands Cruise - A comfortable boat with room to change your view
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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

Cruise the Bay of Islands from Paihia to the Hole in the Rock, with dolphins, island walks, swimming, boom-netting, and onboard commentary.

“From start to finish the entire day was well organized, and very well presented. It was exactly as I had hoped. The ship was approx 2/3 full with lots of room to move in and out of the sun or wind.”

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Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sundowner Sailing - Sailing into the inner Bay of Islands
Bay of Islands Tours, Boat Tours in the Bay of Islands, Cruises & Boat Tours, Sailing, Tour Reviews

Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sundowner Sailing

14.Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sundowner Sailing

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

Sail the Bay of Islands aboard the R. Tucker Thompson, help raise the sails, enjoy antipasto and watch the sunset from Russell.

“Fabulous experience from start to finish. My husband got to play a small role in the sail and also a chance to climb the mast. A fantastic experience”

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Day Sailing Charter on Catamaran with Lunch : Bay Of Islands - The catamaran is part of the experience
Bay of Islands Tours, Boat Tours in the Bay of Islands, Cruises & Boat Tours, Lunch Experiences, Sailing, Tour Reviews

Day Sailing Charter on Catamaran with Lunch : Bay Of Islands

15.Day Sailing Charter on Catamaran with Lunch : Bay Of Islands

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 97 reviews · from $126

Sail the Bay of Islands from Paihia on a spacious catamaran with island walks, swimming, SUPs, snorkelling, and lunch.

“Fantastic! Trip was really enjoyable and well planned. Beautiful well kept boat. Loved the fact that there were snorkels and paddle boards to use at the beach lunch stop. Lunch was super. Brad and Monique (owners and crew) very friendly and informative. Our party of 6 had a Perfect Day!”

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

Pick an island, a lake or a cave.