There’s no better way to discover the Bay of Islands than from the water, and this half-day cruise from either Paihia or Russell lets you experience island life in depth, with a long stop at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island. You’ll get the chance to look for dolphins, learn about history, ecology, and wildlife from your skipper, and see signature sights including the Hole in the Rock.

Explore the Bay of Islands on a guided half-day cruise with dolphin spotting
Enjoy free time to swim, hike, eat, or drink on Urupukapuka Island
Choice of morning or afternoon departures to suit your schedule
Capture classic photos of the Hole in the Rock, a natural arch

What's Included

Air Conditioned Vehicle

Beverages and Snacks

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting points

Select a meeting point

Type to search

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Ticket Redemption Points

Maritime Building 69 Marsden Road, Paihia 0200, New Zealand

Cass Street, Russell 0202, New Zealand

What To Expect

Otehei Bay

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Bay of Islands

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 1 day of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed

Near public transportation
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 200 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.5

114 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 114 reviews

Extremely worth the experience

Georgina_L, Apr 2024

The crew were extremely friendly best boat ride I've ever been So would do it again Feeling you were safe though out the ride

Awesome

Diane_L, Apr 2024

Amazing experience beautiful weather small tourist group calm seas clean boat motored through the hole

My husband & I thoroughly...

Suzanne_D, Apr 2024

My husband & I thoroughly enjoyed this amazing trip, weather was perfect, sea was very calm, friendly staff and the skipper was awesome ~ he spoke to us all about the history of the Bay of Islands, was very interesting. Going through the hole in the rock was so special - we also saw seals sunbathing on an island, another highlight was seeing five dolphins up close 🐬 A 90minute stay at Otehei Bay for Lunch and walk was a magical place to relax & chat to other passengers. Also seeing the amount of huge scnapper down by the wharf. We were celebrating our 20th Wedding.Anniversary in Paihia, and doing this lovely cruise was top of our list to do ~ most enjoyable, informative, beautiful views, great sightseeing adventure ~ was a perfect day!

What a blast!

Sherry_U, Mar 2024

We had a fun trip out to the “hole in the rock”. Great weather, informative guiding narrative by the captain, and a fun, laughter filled crossing out to the “hole in the rock” island. The seas were rough on the open water, and we were on the top deck, getting thoroughly soaked by the sea spray (fire hose force). We haven’t laughed so hard in years! The crew warned us about the “spray”, so no complaints.

Great tour worth the money!

Bhavisha_K, Mar 2024

This was a wonderful tour and very insightful about the history of the islands. Got to see some dolphins and fur seals and of course the hole in the rock and stop at Otehi Bay! Would really recommend this tour!

It was very exciting...

Balaguru_P, Mar 2024

It was very exciting movement we all are like very much. The cruise wad really good and enjoy all of them thank you

Very nice

Hitesh_P, Mar 2024

Very lovely cruise trip captain and all staff is very nice we enjoyed the trip and memories with my cousin came from UK they very happy to visit holl off the rock

Exciting experience

Andrew_F, Mar 2024

Waves were too high to go through but the captain still made it a good experience by backing into the hole more than half way.

Amazing Experience

Michael_S, Mar 2024

Top notch tour. Skipper was great in pointing out facts and sights along the way. We got to see many dolphins and the water was calm enough to pass through the hole in the rock. Island stopover was great and just enough time to relax before getting back on the boat. Well worth the price. If you don’t spot dolphins or go through the hole I guess it’s just a beautiful scenic cruise nonetheless. Highly recommend.

Piss poor For a tourist operation

Christine_B, Feb 2024

Was inner wheelchair had to be lifted on and off my wheelchair is electric and I had to stand the back of the boat because the cruise ships took the one I was meant to be on this poor experience shame on you9.

Good

Louise_B, Feb 2024

Comfortable cruise & not over crowded. Pleasant staff. Liked the in the hole in the wall. Didn't see dolphins unfortunately... loved the island visit & could have stayed much longer... 👍

Good experience.

Shirley_B, Feb 2024

Dolphins were spotted. Sea was rough but staff helped those who got sick. Safety of passéngers was paramount.

Disappointing. Didn't see any dolphins

Anne_D, Feb 2024

Seeing large school of pretty fish feeding near surface of water. The weather was nice, the staff on the boat were accommodating. But since the main purpose of the trip was to see dolphins, it was disappointing.

Great way to see the Bay...

Charles_L, Feb 2024

Great way to see the Bay of Islands. The captains commentary as we went along was informative and amusing. Pretty cool to actually go through the hole in the rock

Everything that I expected and more

Terry_K, Feb 2024

The tour lasts 4.5 hours. Good pace with the trip to the Hole in the Rock and then a 1.5 hour stop on an island. The scenery was excellent. We were not able to go thru the rock as too much surf on our trip. We did not have a cloud in the sky so the pictures were fantastic

Sea Mammals! Ocean Views! Island Time!

Erin_J, Feb 2024

An amazing guided tour rich in history and experience. Complete with 2 sightings of dolphins, countless other sea life, and a trip straight through the rock! The island stop is a perfect spot for lunch, and it’s a lovely way to spend a half day. 10/10 would recommend.

Beautiful islands everywhere

Elaine_J, Jan 2024

I would recommend getting on the very front of the ship as soon as they open it up for guests as the experience was fantastic up front, especially when we went out into the open sea on the way to Hole in the Rock. With the swells, the ship went up and down rather dramatically and you VERY MUCH HAD TO HOLD ON! This location is only for those who do NOT get seasick, which we didn't and were treated to a rollercoaster ride up front. We were also lucky enough to spend some time with a dolphin that we would not have had access to even see if we hadn't been up front on the bow. Got great pictures from here. My only complaint is that we didn't get to spend more time searching for dolphins as the captain said there was a pod of 29-30 in the area and we only got to see the one lone dolphin. Or maybe two complaints - the ship is also the ferry, so they kick you off on the island while he makes other runs. Then they come back to get you. I would have preferred to stay on the boat and enjoy cruising. Finally, if you are on a cruise ship, this is the boat that will take you on your excursion. We opted to book through Viator instead (better price), but since he was dropping us off in town to go pick up the Royal Princess guests at the tender location, we could have just stayed on the boat to the tender location which would have saved us time over waiting for the shuttle to take us to the tender location. Oh well.

A hole in the rock’s a must

Pauline_Z, Jan 2024

Great excursion out to the hole in the rock. We couldn’t go through because the swells were too big but we got really close. This did not take away from its beauty. Safety is the most important factor. Loved the excursion and would highly recommend.

Magnificent experience

John_H, Jan 2024

Captain Kate and her crew did a wonderful job looking after everyone. Very informative and magnificent scenery. Enjoyed sailing through the Hole in the Rock.

Obscured view

Richard_D, Jan 2024

Crowded so people would stand in front of seat and obscure view commentary could have been more informative and clearer.Itinanary badly explained

...