New Zealand · BOAT TOURS IN THE BAY OF ISLANDS

15 Boat Tours in the Bay of Islands to Build a Day Around

28 tours  ·  from $53

Every trip has one free day too few. These 15 boat tours in the Bay of Islands justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to the fun part.

Paihia/Russell: Hole in the Rock Cruise with 2 Island Stops - Leaving Paihia or Russell and Finding Your Sea Legs
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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 cruising the Bay of Islands with a small local crew, stopping at Motuarohia and Urupukapuka for short walks, swimming, and snorkeling. Captains such as Blair, Hamish, Zac, and Nick share stories of Māori culture, geology, wildlife, and local history.

“We had a great afternoon touring the islands and seeing the Hole in the Rock. Hamish was a great guide and provided some really interesting history of the area.”

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Paihia/Russell: Hole in the Rock and Bay of Islands Cruise - Cape Brett and the approach to Motukōkako
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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 with an English-speaking captain and crew, heading past Cape Brett to Motukōkako, the Hole in the Rock. Look for dolphins and whales, then spend 1.5 hours at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island for a swim, walk, café stop, or hilltop view.

“Weather good. Captain gave an informative commentary. Crew attentive. Felt safe. Trip operated on time. Very enjoyable. Thanks. Joanne”

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Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sailing on R. Tucker Thompson Including BBQ Lunch - Morning tea, fresh scones, and a galley-made lunch
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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 5.5 hours aboard the R. Tucker Thompson, a working replica schooner sailing from Russell through the Bay of Islands. Captain Magnus and his crew invite you to help with sails, try the helm, climb the rigging, swim, and enjoy scones plus a chicken BBQ lunch. Paihia ferry transport is available if selected.

“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!”

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From Paihia: Scenic Cruise with Roberton Island Stopover - Roberton Island and the Twin Lagoons lookout
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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

Join Island Getaway from Paihia for a three-hour cruise among the Bay of Islands’ 144 islands. Walk to Roberton Island’s Twin Lagoons lookout, hear stories from guides such as Zac, Nick and Hamish, and visit the Hole in the Rock when weather allows.

“The attraction was as cool as described in the guidebooks. Lots of historical and environmental information. A beautiful place on Earth. A wonderful crew and skipper, our guide.”

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Paihia: Glass Bottom Boat Tour to the Hole in the Rock - Leaving from Paihia’s Main Wharf
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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

Join a small group of up to 14 from Paihia’s Main Wharf for a 2.5-hour boat ride to the Hole in the Rock. Captain Jeff, Geoff, or another English-speaking skipper shares local stories, attempts the rock passage when seas allow, then opens the boat floor at Otehei Bay for fish feeding.

“We really liked Geoff’s laidback style, he clearly loves The Bay of Islands and has extensive knowledge of the area.”

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

6.4.5 Hour Day Cruise and Island Getaway Tour

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

Spend 4.5 hours cruising the Bay of Islands with Island Getaway, stopping at Roberton Island for a bush walk and 360-degree views, then visiting a second island for swimming, snorkeling, and optional paddleboarding. Skippers such as Nick, Hamish, Blue, and Adam add local stories and wildlife spotting.

“Very knowledgeable guide. We enjoyed the tour and visited two different islands including a hike. Went through the Hole in the Rock. Definitely recommend this locally operated tour.”

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Bay of Islands: Discover the Bay Cruise with Island Lunch - Searching for dolphins, whales, seals, and seabirds
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Bay of Islands: Discover the Bay Cruise with Island Lunch

7.Discover the Bay Cruise with Island Lunch

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

Join Explore Group New Zealand from Paihia for a 4.5-hour cruise among the Bay of Islands’ 144 islands. Your local skipper provides live commentary, seeks dolphins and other marine life, and may steer through the Hole in the Rock. Lunch and 1.5 hours at Otehei Bay are included.

“Awsome cruise loved seeing the islands and the hole in the rock the staff were informative and friendly. Lunch at the island was very delicious.”

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Full-Day Bay of Islands Tour by Vigilant Yacht Charters - One island, about 90 minutes, many choices
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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

Set out from Russell at 10am aboard Vigilant with skipper Nat, Natalie, Nick, or Dallas and a small group of no more than 10. Sail among the Bay of Islands, stop for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, or a beach walk, then enjoy lunch, hot drinks, and a chance to take the helm.

“Weather wasn’t great but the crew made the most of it. We did get wind and were able to enjoy sailing. First mate was great, made an excellent lunch, made sure we were comfortable and worked the sails too. The captain was knowledgeaRead more”

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Phantom Sailing Bay of Islands - An island stop with a one-hour viewpoint walk
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Phantom Sailing Bay of Islands

9.Phantom Sailing Bay of Islands

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

Spend about 5.5 hours aboard the Phantom, a live-aboard yacht sailing from Russell through the Bay of Islands. Rick and Robin host a small group of up to 10, with island walking, swimming, snorkeling, a homemade lunch, sailing stories, and possible dolphin sightings.

“Wow! What an absolutely wonderful day we had sailing with Rick & Robin. We sailed through many incredible places, and the knowledge and experience that was shared was second to none. Everything was just amazing! The lunch also was beautiful, all home made and delicious. Highly recommend you go with this company above others. Even my aged parents, with Dad over 80 felt safe and comfortable. Sailing with Rick & Robin is a day our family will never ever forget!”

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Bay of Islands: Catamaran Sail, Wildlife Island & Lunch - Two hours across the Bay of Islands
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Bay of Islands: Catamaran Sail, Wildlife Island & Lunch

10.Catamaran Sail, Wildlife Island & Lunch

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

Join Barefoot Sailing Adventures in Paihia for six hours on a comfortable catamaran with skipper Luke or another English-speaking guide. Sail among 144 islands, help at the tiller, then spend two hours on a sanctuary island snorkeling, paddleboarding, hiking, swimming, and eating a packed lunch.

“Very enjoyable and informative trip, and the simple picnic lunch was delicious. I was on my own and felt that I was given just the right balance of care and respect for solitude. It was great we could stop to watch some penguins swimming on the way, and I enjoyed my turn at the tiller.”

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

Board the locally built R. Tucker Thompson in Russell for 5.5 hours of sailing in the Bay of Islands. Help raise sails, steer, climb the rigging, swim, enjoy fresh scones and a BBQ lunch, or relax while the English-speaking crew handles the work.

“We had a beautiful day sailing. The crew were very helpful, great to talk to and happy to pass on their knowledge. Our walk to Cooks lookout at our lunch stop was scenic and very interesting. Climbing the mast was a highlight for two of our group, adventurous husbands.”

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Paihia: Hole in the Rock Fast Boat Ocean Adventure - The fast boat and what the ride feels like
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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

Join an experienced skipper such as Gavin, GG, or Marty for a 90-minute fast boat ride from Paihia to Cathedral Cave, Cape Brett, and the Hole in the Rock. The open-air catamaran has padded seats, seat belts, spray jackets, and a real chance of seeing dolphins or seals.

“was cool as wouldve loved to go through the hole in the rock twice”

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From Paihia: Full-Day Bay of Islands Cruise - Setting out from Paihia on the Cream Trip
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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 aboard Explore Group’s Cream Trip from Paihia, cruising past 144 islands to Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock. Your English-speaking skipper shares local stories, while the day includes Urupukapuka Island, wildlife watching, optional swimming, a licensed café and bar, and boom-netting when conditions allow.

“This was a wonderful trip. The skipper has the flexibility of shifting the order of the day to match things like dolphin sightings. She was very informative and welcoming. Her crew was great as well. We didn't get to swim with the dolphins only because the only pod we kept seeing had babies in it. We did get to set quite a bit of activity. We would highly recommend this trip”

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Bay of Islands: Awesome Day Sailing Tour with Island Stop - Ancient lava flows, caves, and open water
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Bay of Islands: Awesome Day Sailing Tour with Island Stop

14.Awesome Day Sailing Tour with Island Stop

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

Sail from Paihia aboard the 65-foot Gungha II with Captain Mike or another English-speaking skipper. Help with the sailing or relax, watch for penguins and dolphins, then stop at a quiet island for walking, swimming, and snorkeling before a fresh sandwich lunch.

“Great. Excellent trip on a nice boat. Stopped at a beautiful beach. Had enough wind to get some good sailing in.”

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Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sundowner Sailing - Starting at Russell Wharf
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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

Spend about two hours sailing the inner Bay of Islands aboard the R. Tucker Thompson, a traditional tall ship. You can help raise the sails, steer, climb the rigging with a harness, or relax with antipasto and a drink. Paihia visitors receive a return ferry ticket to Russell.

“Amazing dedication of staff on the ship who showed their love for what they do. Explaining the story behind the group who run the experience was very interesting.”

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New in Boat Tours in the Bay of Islands

★ 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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