Day Cruise & Island Tour - Snorkel/Wildlife/Paddleboard/Islands
5
Day Cruise & Island Tour - Snorkel/Wildlife/Paddleboard/Islands
By Island Getaway Tours
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About
This afternoon cruise in the Bay of Islands allows you to explore without the crowds. Hop aboard a small boat and enjoy two remote island stopovers with native bush walks and panoramic views. You’ll hear interactive commentary on this local, personalized tour. Plus: snorkel unfrequented island reefs and go stand-up paddleboarding (SUP).
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-99, max of 22 per group
Duration: 3h 30m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
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Highlights
- Bay of Islands afternoon cruise and island tour
- Snorkeling and SUP equipment provided
- Locally owned and operated: guides share intimate knowledge
- Suitable for all ages: families, solo travelers, and couples
- Small group tours
- Scenic Cruise among 144 Islands
- Two remote island stopovers
- Swim, Snorkel and relax (all equipment provided)
- Wildlife spotting, commentary and information throughout the day
- Stand-up Paddleboarding (all equipment provided)
- A truly personalised, local experience
What's not included- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Start:Multiple meeting point options.
- Option 1Island Getaway Tours, 69 Marsden Road, Paihia 0200, New ZealandCheck-in location: Pier 10 on the Paihia Wharf Please checkin at least 20 minutes before departure
- Option 2Russell Wharf, Russell, Bay of Islands, 27 The Strand, Russell 0202, New ZealandPlease 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: 66991P2- Not recommended for travellers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travellers can participate
- Suitable for families, couples and solo travellers
- Suitable for all ages
- Please bring a swimsuit & towel
- Minimum passenger numbers apply; if not met, we reserve the right to upgrade to our 4.5hr Tour (at no extra cost) or refund your tickets
- Water and something to eat is recommended.
- 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 22 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: 66991P2
From
AU$124.33
per adult
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Itinerary
- 1• Meeting at the Salt Air Office (Next to the Paihia Wharf) at 3.20pm, for our 3.30pm departure. Our crew will greet you and welcome you on board for the day • Take a seat as we begin cruising the sheltered coastline towards the outer islands • Keep and eye out for local wildlife as your skipper and crew will point out local hot-spots and provide plenty of history and information about the area. • Our first stop is Roberton Island (also known as the famous Twin Lagoons) where we disembark and take a 10 minute walk amongst native flora and fauna to the island lookout point - a breathtaking 360 degree view of the Bay of Islands. • Take some time exploring the tidal lagoons, or take relax on this secluded island before making your way back on board the boat. • Our tour continues as we cruise among the 144 islands the bay has to offer. Keep an eye out for marine life and unique shore birds that live in the area - sometimes we are lucky enough to spot dolphins and a variety of other wildlife throughout the day!! • Arriving at our second island stop, we begin our activities....all equipment is available for you to discover the underwater reefs with snorkelling gear provided, and opportunities to give Stand-up Paddleboarding a try. • Take a walk along one of the island trails, enjoy a swim or relax on the unfrequented beaches in the warmth of the sun....some days, you can even try fresh NZ Kina (seafood) - there are options for everyone. • After our time on the second island, we begin our cruise back home through the islands following the coastline back into Paihia. • Whether you are a solo traveller, a couple on a honeymoon, or a family on vacation, your visit to the Bay of Islands isn't complete until you have experienced our Afternoon Cruise & Island Tour
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- Voyager257053802320 contributionsJoke in the Rock tour with Cass and AdamWe went to 4.5 hours Hole in the Rock tour yesterday. Everything was more than what we expected to be, the scenery, the crew members, the trip arrangement including stopping at one of the beautiful island for lunch. I would like to especially mention our speed boat crew Cass and Adam, both are fantastic! Knowledgeable and friendly. Thank you.Written 10 February 2025
- Pioneer182794856420 contributionsBay of islands boat tripA very good trip interesting and informative thanks to cass and Hamish also good value from a local firm.took us to several islands and the hole in the rock would recommendWritten 10 February 2025
- Maps651696906510 contributionsIt made this small town spectacular!The places you see are some of the best ever we had ever seen. It was a great tour. There is not a lot of time at each spot which is a bit good and a bit bad. We were sorry to go back but we enjoyed the shopping and sights afterwardsWritten 9 February 2025
- annegR2821RT0 contributionsAwesomeThank 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
- laurescu750 contributions4.5 hours well spentDuring my cruise, the ship made a stop in the Bay of Islands and I'm glad I chose this tour which included 2 stops on two islands and a boat ride around Hole in the Rock.Written 8 February 2025
- NayHaybz0 contributionsAmazing day spent island hopping, hiking, and snorkellingAmazing 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 islandWritten 7 February 2025
- Starlifter-Pilots0 contributionsVery fun; well with the moneyThe trip was lots of fun. The captain Adam and crew Cass were excellent taking care of us and providing lots of information about the areas we were visiting. When we encountered a pod of dolphins, Adam stopped the boat for 20 minutes allowing the dolphins to play around our boat. I highly recommend this excursion. Thank you, Adam and Cass!Written 7 February 2025
- Y9628RMsuep0 contributionsGreat experienceHad an awesome day !! Staff were amazing, very friendly and professional!! Would definitely recommend this trip and be happy to do it again!😊Written 7 February 2025
- Gus J0 contributionsA 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
- davidhF1991ZJ0 contributionsSuperb, and a small local business that needs support.3 months in NZ and I think this trip was about the best. The greetings were tremendous, the organisation was perfect, the boat was comfortable. We had a spectacular afternoon. We cruised to Russel to collect more passengers then on to a spectacular island for a walk then on to the main event ie the hole in the island. On the way we had a wonderful commentary from the captain. Back via another island stop . The crew were brilliant.Written 6 February 2025
- chronopossum0 contributionsDo it!Prompt start and schedule, excellent crew! Informative, enjoyable ride. Thanks Nick and Nichola! Had a great time! Absolutely recommended!Written 6 February 2025
- B3218EEnicks0 contributionsEngaged crew amplify scenic island seascapesBoth crew and captain were wonderful tour guides- fun and informative. The ship was swift and seating made for easy viewing of islands, schools of fish, and basking seals. Our snorkeling at the final stop was pure icing on the cake- warm water and fun fish to view on the reef. A memorable tour to be sure.Written 4 February 2025
- loulA6337RP0 contributionsHole 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 LouWritten 4 February 2025
- howard05540 contributionsA great day in the BayExtremely well organized and delivered marine based tour that highlighted how diverse the Bay of Island is. The running schedule was obviously well thought out with just the right amount of time taken at each location. The crew were extremely friendly, knowledgeable and professional. The actual tour to me was full of highlights but to pick one I would say was the time taken at the Hole in the Rock and especially going through the Hole in the boat. Definitely the best marine based tour I have been on. It is a definite "must do".Written 4 February 2025
- Rdl19850 contributionsThe Hole in the Rock Must DoWhat 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 DayWritten 3 February 2025
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
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Adventure47545823873
8 contributions
Great experience, the crew was very friendly, had great smiles, and having blankets was a nice touch.
Although I didn't see dolphins or seals, the weather was very good and I really liked the two islands I stayed at.
It is recommended that if there are no activities in the water due to weather conditions, tourists can be reminded in advance. We also wore swimsuits and brought towels😅
Although I didn't see dolphins or seals, the weather was very good and I really liked the two islands I stayed at.
It is recommended that if there are no activities in the water due to weather conditions, tourists can be reminded in advance. We also wore swimsuits and brought towels😅

Written 26 November 2023
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.
Thank you for your feedback. We are happy that you enjoyed spending time on the islands with our amazing crew!
Written 6 December 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Laura
Coeur d'Alene, ID2 contributions
Lynn and Gabby were great guides and crew. Very knowledgeable about Paihia and the Bay of Islands history. We managed to find a few hours without rain during our trip and squeezed into this booking on short notice. The island stops were lovely and worth the cost! Would recommend and go again. My husband was especially pleased considering he gets seasick and there was none of that with Lynn's driving.
Written 15 January 2023
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.
Kathryn M
London, UK19 contributions
Jan 2023
Fantastic few hours visiting Motuarohia and Urupukapuka islands on a comfortable boat. Lin and Gaby were very welcoming, knowledgeable and professional. I tried paddle boarding for the first time and felt supported throughout. Great snippets of history, and stunning late afternoon/sunset views all round!
Written 16 January 2023
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.
Angela
3 contributions
Jan 2020
Firstly a huge thank you to both Mary and Jake, the lovely crew for the cruise. Mary was extremely friendly and made sure to have a chat with everyone which made for a welcoming environment with it feeling more like we were friends rather then staff members and customers. Jake was great at providing information about the area and as well as some 10/10 jokes throughout the day!
The cruise itself was amazing! The beautiful blue waters were just amazing! The first stop over at one of the islands allowed us to see the area from a lookout point. The second stop we were able to get in for a dip as well as to snorkel and paddle board. I personally had never snorkeled or paddle boarded before but its some of the most fun I've ever had!
We also had the absolute pleasure to spot Dolphins, twice on the journey! Beautiful Pods of Dolphins, even with a baby! So truly magical to see them in their natural habitat porpoising freely. An experience like no other!
I would highly recommend this cruise to anyone visiting!
The cruise itself was amazing! The beautiful blue waters were just amazing! The first stop over at one of the islands allowed us to see the area from a lookout point. The second stop we were able to get in for a dip as well as to snorkel and paddle board. I personally had never snorkeled or paddle boarded before but its some of the most fun I've ever had!
We also had the absolute pleasure to spot Dolphins, twice on the journey! Beautiful Pods of Dolphins, even with a baby! So truly magical to see them in their natural habitat porpoising freely. An experience like no other!
I would highly recommend this cruise to anyone visiting!
Written 1 February 2020
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.
Ruth C
Lower Hutt, New Zealand7 contributions
We had such a good day visiting lots of smaller quite beaches and islands. Nick our skipper was such a nice bloke, very knowledgeable about the area, wildlife and history. He very kindly showed us the ropes with the paddleboards, showed us where the best place to spot the fish snorkeling, rescued the husband's sunglasses that he lost falling off his paddleboard. We even tried sea urchin.
Would highly recommend this cruise if your ever in the area
Would highly recommend this cruise if your ever in the area
Written 27 January 2021
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.
Jon G
1 contribution
Jan 2024 • Friends
Nick and Leon were excellent tour guides who clearly explained some of the interesting history behind the Bay of Islands. The activities were an excellent addition as we enjoyed seeing the marine life close-up while snorkelling, as well as giving paddleboarding a go.
Overall, this is a fantastic experience for gaining a glimpse into the Islands while having a bit of fun. We even saw some dolphins (although this was not intentional).
Do keep in mind that the experience is 3.5 hours long, so it will not be for everyone if you are looking to spend a whole day exploring
Overall, this is a fantastic experience for gaining a glimpse into the Islands while having a bit of fun. We even saw some dolphins (although this was not intentional).
Do keep in mind that the experience is 3.5 hours long, so it will not be for everyone if you are looking to spend a whole day exploring
Written 6 January 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.
We really appreciate you taking the time to post your great review of your recent cruise with us. It certainly sounds like you had an awesome time out on the water with our lovely crew and made the most of all the activities on offer including snorkelling and paddle boarding. Thanks for booking with Island Getaway Tours.
Written 28 January 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
AnnIft001
New Zealand28 contributions
Jan 2025 • Family
A great ending to our lovely Paihia trip! We are a family of three including a 1-year old baby and we really enjoyed our afternoon with Jake and Shay. They are very friendly and knowledgable crew who looked after all of us. We took a lot of photos on that day and my baby thoroughly enjoyed her time in the paddleboard (on land haha!). Thank for a beautiful and amazing day!
Written 2 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.
Helena
4 contributions
Sept 2023 • Friends
Very nice guided and beautiful tour. I did find the way they talk about the takeover of an island to the original inhabitants too easy. It is an intense history that still has a daily impact on the lives of the Maori, which deserves to be told. Views are fantastic and the team is super enthusiastic, caring and driven!

Written 28 October 2023
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.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I'm glad you enjoyed our commentary
onboard from one of our local Crew Members!
Written 6 December 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A_had
1 contribution
Jan 2023 • Family
Really fun cruise. Small group which was really nice. The guides were friendly and helpful. Loved snorkelling and paddle boarding. Only suggestion is to probably have more than 4x paddle boards for a group of 20
Written 29 January 2023
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.
Karin Wuelker
5 contributions
Dec 2022 • Solo
The tour was breathtaking and the team was very nice and helpful. It was also a small group, which I really liked. Everyone had a great view of the islands. The snorkeling and stand up paddling was really great. I have never done stand up paddling before, but the team instructed me well and I was able to enjoy the time on the water to the fullest. Thank you for this great tour.
I can recommend them to everyone.
I can recommend them to everyone.
Written 31 December 2022
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.
Gerard S
Auckland, New Zealand
Hi
Could you let me know if this cruse is a fast boat or a slow one
Written 31 December 2021
Our Cruise ship will dock at Bay of Island on 18th March, our on shore time will be between 8:00am to 17:00PM, I wonder would you offer any tour at this time range, we are four adults . Btw how would the weather look like in mid March in Bay of Island?
Thanks
Steven Szeto
Written 25 January 2019
Booked this tour for the 12th of October 18 for 4 adults
Booking no BR-666928266
Trying to 'Get Tickets' from the pop up in the mail received after booking and payment
But not connecting to the next site. An error is showing
Sandeep Poddar
Written 16 September 2018
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