Paihia Tours
Hole in the Rock Cruise & Island Tour - with two island stopovers
5
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*

Hole in the Rock Cruise & Island Tour - with two island stopovers

By Island Getaway Tours
Recommended by 98% of travellers
98% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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The Bay of Islands is renowned as one of the most beautiful destinations on New Zealand’s North Island, with 144 islands dotted around the shore. This tours takes in some of the most impressive viewpoints and includes plenty of beach time. Stop at two different islands, head ashore to hike around stunning lagoons, then visit the beach to swim, snorkel, and stand-up paddleboard.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 0-99, max of 49 per group
Duration: 4h 30m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More

Highlights
  • Magnificent views of the Bay of Islands from the water
  • Visit two different islands with beach time at each one
  • Active tour including hiking, snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding
  • Cruise around the bay on a smaller boat

  • Smaller group tours
  • Scenic Cruise among 144 Islands
  • Two remote island stopovers
  • Swim, Snorkel and relax (Mask, Snorkel and fins provided)
  • Wildlife spotting, commentary and information throughout the day
  • The Famous Hole in the Rock
  • Cape Brett Lighthouse
What's not included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Lunch


Start:Multiple meeting point options.
  • Option 1
    Paihia Wharf, Paihia 0200, New Zealand
    Check-in Location: Pier 10 at the Paihia Wharf. Check-in at least 15 minutes before your scheduled departure Return Location: Paihia Wharf
  • Option 2
    Russell Wharf, Russell, Bay of Islands, 27 The Strand, Russell 0202, New Zealand
    Please be waiting at the end of the Russell Wharf next to the Booking and information Centre
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    • Not wheelchair accessible
    If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 66991P1

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
    • Most travellers can participate
    • CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS: If you are arriving in Waitangi Wharf, the cruiseship provides FREE shuttle buses for cruise ship guests to transfer you into Paihia (5 minute bus ride)
    • The bus will drop you off outside the Paihia Wharf. Check-in at PIER 10
    • Suitable for families, couples and solo travellers
    • Suitable for all ages
    • Please bring a swimsuit & towel, and appropriate clothing for the day
    • Please bring lunch& drink for the day
    • Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
    • No-show will forfeit 100% of the ticket cost
    • Cruise-ship guests need to insure their travel insurance covers them in the unlikely event that the cruise-ship does not stop in port, as we are unable to refund in these situations.
    • This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
    • This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 49 travellers

    • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

    If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 66991P1

    From
    AU$146.78
    per adult
    Select date and travellers
    Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.

    Similar experiences

    Itinerary
    • 1
      Pass by
      Bay of Islands
    • 2
    • 3
      Pass by
      Cape Brett Lighthouse
    • 4
    About the operator
    Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
    • Island Getaway Tours
      693
      Paihia, New Zealand
      Joined in December 2016
    • annegR2821RT
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Awesome
      Thank you for a lovely time, Nic was was a pleasure to have as our tour guide and boat driver. I would thoroughly recommend this cruise to all my friends.
      Written 8 February 2025
    • Mobile61868087295
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Awesome
      Was awesome! Loved the paddle boarding in particular. Thanks, especially to Zack, our host. We saw and learned a lot, highly recommended
      Written 8 February 2025
    • NayHaybz
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Amazing day spent island hopping, hiking, and snorkelling
      Amazing day spent exploring the Bay of Islands with Adam and Cass, who were both friendly, knowledgeable and humorous. The boat wasn’t too big so allowed for a more personal experience. We had two island stops, and at the second one we were provided with snorkelling equipment to explore the beautiful bay. My family also done the short walks on both islands and I would highly recommend checking out the army bunker on the second stop. Our group was lucky enough to spot a whale shark, which is fairly rare and made the day extra special. Definitely book with Island getaways as they give a portion of the fee back to conservation on Motukokako island
      Written 7 February 2025
    • Gus J
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      A local small business doing it right!
      A great trip, hands down everything we could have hoped for. Penguins, dolphins, fish, birds and a New Zealand sea lion! Adam was genial and knowledgeable, and Cass looked after us incredibly well, while keeping Adam on track :-) Have a beer on me!
      Written 7 February 2025
    • chronopossum
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Do it!
      Prompt start and schedule, excellent crew! Informative, enjoyable ride. Thanks Nick and Nichola! Had a great time! Absolutely recommended!
      Written 6 February 2025
    • loulA6337RP
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Hole in the Rock!!!!!!!
      Hey Nick! We know Grant won’t read this! Adam and Cass were funny, friendly and fabulous! They deserve 2 beers a piece! We will hunt you down if you don’t deliver! Just kidding😆 We loved the tour! Thank you~Kevin, Kelly, Susan and Lou
      Written 4 February 2025
    • Barbara S
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Awesome afternoon 😁
      We had a great time seeing everything, the crew was great, loved all the information to understand what we were seeing and history and the conditioners were fabulous. Really enjoyed the cooperation of the wildlife 😄.
      Written 4 February 2025
    • Roam48367846904
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Simply the best! 10/10 recommend.
      We were upgraded to the 4,5 hour cruise and it was fantastic. What an experience we had, I will definitely do this cruise again. The weather was superb, got to see little blue peguins, a pod of bottlenose dolphins (who followed us to shore) and got to go through the hole in the rock. I would 100% recommend this cruise, especially with the Island Getaway Tours team, they are so friendly and give you a more personal feel to the whole experience.
      Written 2 February 2025
    • Faith H
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Fun beautiful relaxing
      This was a great way to see the Bay of Islands and its beauty. The Island Getaway tours staff were really friendly and knowledgeable. I would recommend this cruise to anyone visiting this area. Thankyou so much!
      Written 1 February 2025
    • Odyssey59614147433
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      A wonderful experience
      An absolutely amazing experience made all the better by the excellent crew who were fun and full of relevant information and exciting content. The highlight was the Hole in the Rock where we were lucky enough to see a rolling mantra Ray and vast schools of feeding fish. Truly spectacular. The 4.5 hours sped quickly and we were thrilled with the experience. Definitely the highlight of our 5 days in Northlands.
      Written 1 February 2025
    • mahishah
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Wonderful Experience!
      We had the most memorable time aboard the Island Gateway cruise and we're gonna remember it for a long time to come! The hospitality by the crew - Captain, Bluebell & Shae was top notch. They were always on their feet making sure everyone was comfortable. Paihia was an unforgettable experience and if we were to return, I would choose Island Gateway again.
      Written 26 January 2025
    • X7713IKpaulr
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Dolphins / Islands / Wind & big swells
      Awesome trip and crew. Pod of 🐬 joined us 😁. Weather was rough but we stayed up on the open top deck with the wind howling and big swells, taking in mother nature 😁
      Written 17 January 2025
    • NorthStar62652473012
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Fantastic day out!
      I was a bit apprehensive about a 4.5 hour cruise however it was extremely comfortable, informative and professionally run! With a mixture of sightseeing, short hikes and snorkeling it was the perfect mix. Please don't have any reservations about booking with this tour company they are first class!
      Written 14 January 2025
    • Shravani G
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great tour around the bay of islands - very helpful staff
      Great tour around the bay of islands. The captain and rest of crew were very helpful. We had 2 stops and we went through the hole in the rock, which was a highlight. The weather was a little chilly and it rained unfortunately. So we didn’t feel like snorkelling but it was still a good day overall.
      Written 12 January 2025
    • Annakmac
      0 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great way to get out and see the Bay of Islands
      The crew and staff were absolutely lovely, we were a little late and they called and held the boat for us (thanks Adam), which we really appreciated. It was great that the boat had an undercover/enclosed area as it rained and was super choppy. Adam was also pretty skillful at adjusting to the choppy weather conditions. Whilst its not the biggest and most expensive boat out there, if you want to explore the islands with a super friendly crew that know what they are doing this is the tour for you :)
      Written 7 January 2025
    See all 693 reviews
    These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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    5.0
    5.0 of 5 bubbles318 reviews
    Excellent
    301
    Very good
    12
    Average
    2
    Poor
    1
    Terrible
    2

    goonerjon2
    Auckland, New Zealand166 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    What a fantastic trip we had. Has to be one of the best days we’ve had on the water. The things the company couldn’t control were amazing such as the weather, the conditions & the multiple dolphin encounters up close, but those things they could were equally impressive. The staff were all awesome and really friendly, particularly Nicola who took the time to talk to us and our 10 year old son who had lots of questions. We boarded at Paihia and then went over to Russel to collect some more passengers before heading over to Motuarohia Island. Enroute we spotted dolphins which the skipper took us closer too but kept a safe & respectful distance. We were lucky enough for the dolphins to come really close right next to the boat which was amazing. Once at the island we had 30 mins for a quick explore & paddle & walk up to the view point for stunning views of the Bay of Islands. The dolphins returned on exit of the island and again gave us a fantastic experience up close, the skipper & crew all being respectful & not speeding away despite the time eating into the overall schedule. But it was worth it! We then headed off to the Hole in the Rock where the skipper was able to take us through as conditions were calm and also reversed into the adjacent cave. The commentary was fun, informative & entertaining throughout. Last stop was Urupukapuka Island at Otehei Bay where there is a little restaurant/cafe, shop & toilets in a stunning setting. We were able to swim and snorkel here but only had 45 mins or so due to the time with the dolphins, but wouldn’t change that for anything. We then finished with some fish feeding at the pier/jetty before departing back to Russel / Paihia on schedule after an utterly thrilling 4.5 hrs. The boat was great, not overcrowded and equipped with a toilet & light refreshments. We took our own food as they don’t do catering. A truly magical day for my family and I, thank you!
    Written 10 December 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Trup
    New York, NY1,136 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Dec 2024 • Couples
    Not only was this a most picturesue 4.5 hour voyage, but the knowledgeable and extraordinarily crew added immensely to our experience. Bravo!

    This was well worth the cost and even the tiring 3.5 hour van ride from Auckland (that's 3.5 hours in each direction, making for a very full day).
    Written 20 December 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Explorer49674184731
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jan 2025 • Family
    It was an absolutely incredible experience. We saw a massive group of dolphins who swam along the side of our boat for a while. It was breathtaking to see them so close. We had pretty rough weather but honestly didn’t affect the cruise and I felt completely safe the entire time. We still enjoyed sitting outside on the top of the boat, I would recommend a raincoat if you want to sit outside to protect you from the wind and ocean spray. The crew were so lovely and sweet. They talked to everyone and happily answered any questions. I really enjoyed talking to them. The two island stops were beautiful and a nice chance to stretch your legs. Throughout the cruise we learnt about māori and NZ history as well as the environment around us. Overall it was amazing and I would 10/10 recommend
    Written 16 January 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thanks for sharing this review! Im glad you enjoyed your time with us in the Bay of Islands despite the weather :))
    Written 17 January 2025
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Dereck F
    Woodbridge, UK1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The captain and crew were super-friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. We were very worried our lunch tour to hole in the wall would be either cancelled or substituted due to the awful weather forecast. Just as the reception desk had told us, the captain gave us a totally frank briefing and warned us we probably would not make it to the hole in the wall but that all other destinations (we particularly wanted to do some walking on Urupukapuka) would be fine. He also warned that, due to rough seas, sea sickness was a possibility. Very reasonably, we were offered deferment or full refund if we wished.
    On the basis of his description, we decided to go ahead.
    Yes, it was rough and very windy but it was great fun and quite a thrill in the wildest parts. Captain attempted the crossing to hole in the wall but aborted that part (sensibly). The rest of the tour was great, with highly entertaining commentary.
    Lunch was a plentiful buffet - the tender roast beef was particularly good.
    All in all, the experience would have been better if we had had flat calm and cloudless skies but, accepting the weather that was dished up on the day, the crew did a fabulous job.
    Would definitely recommend!
    Written 27 January 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    aimi p
    cornwall91 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We weren't overly enthusiastic about our boat trip as we set off from Paihia wharf on a wet and misty afternoon, but WOW what a trip we had.
    Hamish and his crew were fantastic and the rain settled which allowed us to see the beautiful views across the Bay of Islands. The sea was settled enough to allow us to go through the Hole in the Rock and we were also HUGELY fortunate that Hamish's beady eye spotted a mother Orca and her calf swimming by. Hamish took us a respectful distance from them and we were so lucky that they decided to spend a bit of time swimming by the boat to get their photos taken - just phenomenal! A small penguin was also spotted which was lovely to see.
    We had 2 stopovers at different islands and were able to borrow snorkelling equipment on the 2nd stop.
    Even though the weather wasn't at its best, the day is definitely a highlight to our 6 week trip of NZ.
    Thank you so much for such a beautiful day and experience - we will highly recommend this locally owned fantastic business!
    Written 11 December 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Caitlyn K
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nov 2024 • Couples
    Absolutely loved this tour!! The crew were amazing! They made sure we were comfortable & checked in regularly with passengers to ensure we all were comfortable. The seating in the boat was also comfortable & I loved that fact we could move around the boat during the trip. We were blessed enough to see, Orca, a pod of dolphins & a blue penguin on our trip (which was awesome!) The crew also gave us historic facts about the surrounding islands we visited & I was glad they shared both Māori & pakeha sides of history. I also was happy to know that the island getaway is partnered with Ahuwhenua trust as it shows honor & respect to the people of the land. I would 100% take this cruise again & recommend to friends & family.

    Thank you to: Hamish, Bluebell & Shay for an unforgettable experience!
    Written 16 November 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Aw this is great, thanks so much for sharing! I'll pass this on to crew. Hopefully see you again soon :)
    Written 28 November 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    simonjhe
    Penarth, UK26 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent trip - well organised, comfortable vessel, with friendly and knowledgeable crew. Hamish the skipper was clearly very experienced and provided superb commentary with plenty of information delivered with humour at key points and the two crew members provided great support. The structure of the trip worked well, with a good mix of activities, including island walking and actually sailing through the hole of hole in the Rock! Thoroughly recommended trip.
    Written 10 January 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Donna L
    Buderim30 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Feb 2025 • Friends
    What a wonderful and breathtaking trip to the Hole in the Rock Bay of Islands with the crew and team from Island Getaway tours. We arrived by cruise ship and our itinerary got changed upside down and reversed so once we found out we contacted the office and they were happy to change the date even though it was less than 24 hours notice. The company even started the tour a little later to accommodate our ship arrival.
    Well what can we say Nick the skipper was very informative and knowledgeable.
    On the way out we had to stop for some rather large bluenosed dolphins who just wanted to play around the boat. What a magical moments.

    Had a stop off at one of the Islands for a lookout view or you could just cross into a small blue lagoon.

    Next stop the Hole in the rock WOW travelled through the hole and into the cave great job done by the Captain Nick and his crew. Plenty of fish to be seen.

    On way back saw the blue beaked penguins soo tiny and fast and native to this area.

    A stop for lunch and a quick swim then back to the dock

    Absolutely fantastic Day
    Written 3 February 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Graham F
    4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jan 2025 • Couples
    Fantastic trip. On the way to the hole in the rock we stopped off at Roberton Island where Captain James Cook arrived a few centuries ago. We were able to walk up to a lookout which gave fantastic views over the Bay of Islands. Then saw a pod of dolphins jumping around and a fur seal sunbathing on a rock whilst gulls fished all around. We got a great view of the hole as the captain manoeuvred the boat so everyone got a great view. Then he gunned the engines and we went through the hole! After that we went to a secluded beach (after picking up a few hikers who had liked to the lighthouse) for some snorkelling. The gear was provided by the crew. On the way to the beach we saw a couple of little blue penguins.
    Along the way we had some excellent commentary from the crew and the captain, Hamish.
    In summary, a great fun trip, excellent engagement from Hamish and the crew and some superb sightings of wildlife.
    Written 28 January 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Rod H
    Evergreen, CO141 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This was a perfect sized boat of <50 people and the ship was near new condition. Captain Hamish was very skilled even in rough seas by the hole island. I would highly recommend this over the bigger boats that haul 240 people like cattle!
    Written 18 December 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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    *Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

    Hole in the Rock Cruise & Island Tour - with two island stopovers provided by Island Getaway Tours

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