Boat Tours in the Bay of Islands

Bay of Islands Boat Tours
The Bay of Islands holds 144 islands across a sheltered stretch of Northland coastline, and a boat is the only way to properly see them. Tours here range from a fast run out to the Hole in the Rock to a full day retracing a 1927 mail delivery route, an evening sail through the inner bays, and an overnight stay aboard a converted ferry. Most depart from Paihia Wharf, with several also picking up from Russell.

Hole in the Rock cruises
Motukōkako, known as the Hole in the Rock, is the postcard moment most visitors are chasing, and there is more than one way to reach it. The Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise runs on a purpose-built catamaran with a Marine Mammal Viewing Guarantee, tracking along the Cape Brett Peninsula past the historic lighthouse before a stopover at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island. Explore NZ's Fast Boat Ocean Adventure gets there quicker, with suspension seating built for a high-speed run out to the Hole in the Rock and Cathedral Cave and back inside two hours. Sea Shuttle's Small Group Day Tour takes a different route again, stopping at Robertson Island and a second remote island for snorkelling and paddleboarding on the way through.

The Cream Trip and a full day cruising
The Day in the Bay cruise follows the original 1927 cream delivery route, first run by Albert Ernest Fuller to supply island residents, passing Black Rocks and Marsden Cross on the way to the Hole in the Rock. Boom-netting off the back of the boat and a 1.5-hour beach stopover on Urupukapuka Island are both included, making it the pick for travellers who want the full day on the water rather than a shorter trip out and back.

Sailing and dolphin watching
Barefoot Sailing Adventures runs two sail-powered trips straight off Paihia Beach. Their Island Hopper Day Cruise spends six hours island-hopping between Urupukapuka, Motuarohia and Waewaetorea, with a packed lunch, snorkelling gear and a two-hour stopover, plus the chance to help crew the boat. Their Sundowner Evening Cruise covers the calmer inner bays around Paihia, Opua, Russell and Waitangi over two hours, with a swim stop at a secluded bay and sunset views on the way back. Dolphin pods move freely through these waters, and sightings turn up across most tours in the bay.

Otehei Bay and Urupukapuka Island
Urupukapuka Island's Otehei Bay is a regular stop on longer cruises, and it can also be visited on its own. Explore NZ's Otehei Bay Ferry runs a straightforward return crossing from Paihia, leaving time on the island to walk its trails, swim at the beach, or hire a kayak, with several departures through the day.

Overnight on the water
For a longer stay, The Rock Overnight Cruise departs Paihia at 5pm aboard a converted 1969 ferry and returns the following afternoon, with a maximum of 36 guests aboard. A buffet dinner and cooked breakfast are included alongside kayaking, snorkelling, fishing, night activities and an open deck for watching the sunrise, turning the trip into a short stay among the islands rather than a single cruise.

Getting to the Bay of Islands
Paihia is the main departure town for Bay of Islands boat tours, with most operators also offering pickup from Russell across the water. The islands sit within a sheltered stretch of coastline that keeps conditions calm enough for cruising, sailing and swimming stops on most days of the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best boat tour in the Bay of Islands?
It depends on how much time you have. The Fast Boat Ocean Adventure gets you to the Hole in the Rock in under two hours, the Day in the Bay cruise adds history and a longer island stopover, and The Rock Overnight Cruise turns the experience into a short stay among the islands.
Can you see dolphins on a Bay of Islands boat tour?
Yes. Dolphin sightings turn up across most tours in the bay, and some cruises, including the Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise, run under a Marine Mammal Viewing Guarantee that offers a complimentary return trip if none are spotted.
Where do Bay of Islands boat tours depart from?
Most tours leave from Paihia Wharf or Paihia Beach, and several operators also offer pickup from Russell Wharf on the opposite side of the harbour.
What is the Hole in the Rock?
The Hole in the Rock is a natural archway through Motukōkako, a rock formation off Cape Brett at the entrance to the Bay of Islands. Boats pass through the narrow opening weather permitting, and it is the centrepiece of most half-day and full-day cruises in the bay.
Is there an overnight boat trip in the Bay of Islands?
Yes. The Rock Overnight Cruise departs Paihia in the late afternoon and returns the following day, with meals, cabins and activities such as kayaking, snorkelling and night fishing all included.