The 8 Paihia Boat Tours That Earn Their Price

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 with Island Getaway exploring the Bay of Islands from Paihia or Russell. Cruise past Cape Brett, try for the Hole in the Rock, walk to Roberton Island’s Twin Lagoons lookout, then swim or snorkel at Urupukapuka Island. Guides such as Blair, Hamish, Zac, Bree, and Dan are known for friendly local stories and careful wildlife spotting.

“We had the most amazing time. The weather was fantastic, warm and sunny. The skipper, Blair and crew, Bree were fantastic. Very knowledge and happy to share stories about the locations and Maori. We were extremely lucky to motor through the hole in the rock...amazing. We also saw seals, an added bonus. Would definitely recommend this trip.”

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2.Paihia/Russell: Hole in the Rock, Dolphins & Island Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 821 reviews · 4h 30m · from $95

Spend 4.5 hours sailing among the Bay of Islands’ 144 islands from Paihia or Russell. Your English-speaking crew shares local stories, searches for dolphins and whales, and aims for Motukōkako, the famous Hole in the Rock. You also get 1.5 hours at Otehei Bay for swimming, walking, food, and wide island views.

“Captain and staff were very knowledgeable and helpful. No question asked was not answered. Only disappointing part was no dolphins or whales were spotted, but that can't be helped. We thoroughly enjoyed our cruise”

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3.Hole in the Rock Cruise & Island Tour – with two island stopovers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 701 reviews · from $104Top rated

Spend 4.5 hours cruising the Bay of Islands with Island Getaway Tours, stopping at Roberton Island and a second island chosen by the crew. Expect local stories, swimming, snorkeling, short walks, wildlife spotting, Cape Brett Lighthouse, and a chance to pass through the Hole in the Rock with captains such as Hamish, Nick, or Blair.

“I highly recommend this tour. A local company which provided great local information on all the islands and history. Hamish the captain was very knowledgeable and had a good sense humour as well. The crew were fantastic and very accommodating especially with my daughter who has a disability they made her day extra special. The blankets which were provided were a very nice touch to keep us warm on the trip. We were able to travel through the hole in the rock which was very exciting. The 2 island stop overs were amazing and the view from the top of the first island was incredible. Thank you for such an…”

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4.The Rock Adventure Overnight Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 457 reviews · from $296

Join skippers Erin, Byron, and the friendly Rock crew for a 22-hour Bay of Islands adventure from Paihia Wharf. You can kayak after dark to look for bioluminescent plankton, fish, snorkel, paddleboard, collect seafood, explore an island, and sleep aboard. Meals, equipment, and shared-cabin accommodation are included, with private cabins available to book.

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5.Scenic Cruise with Roberton Island Stopover

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 332 reviews · 3 hours · from $78

Set out from Paihia with Island Getaway for a three-hour cruise among the Bay of Islands. You’ll walk to Roberton Island’s Twin Lagoons viewpoint, hear live commentary from guides such as Zac, Nick, Dan, and Hamish, and visit the Hole in the Rock and Cape Brett Lighthouse when conditions and booking options allow.

“The islands were beautiful, it was great fun and value for money. The guides provided lots of information/stories and humour! I would definitely recommend going.”

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6.Glass Bottom Boat Tour to the Hole in the Rock

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 319 reviews · 2h 30m · from $74Best value

Join a small group of up to 14 from Paihia's Main Wharf for a 2.5-hour boat trip to the Hole in the Rock. Skippers such as Jeff and Geoff share local stories, steer through the natural tunnel when sea conditions permit, and open the boat floor at Otehei Bay so you can feed snapper and watch them below.

“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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7.Bay of Islands: 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 an English-speaking skipper and a maximum of 49 passengers. Walk to Roberton Island’s Twin Lagoons lookout, pass Cape Brett and Hole in the Rock when conditions allow, then snorkel, swim, or explore a second island. Crews such as Nick, Blue, Adam, and Hamish are known for lively local stories and hands-on help.

“Fantastic trip , beautiful beaches, went through the hole in the rock ! Great commentary and wildlife 😊”

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8.Bay of Islands: Discover the Bay Cruise with Island Lunch

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

Spend 4.5 hours cruising from Paihia through the Bay of Islands, with live commentary, wildlife watching, and a weather-dependent passage through the Hole in the Rock. The trip includes lunch and 1.5 hours at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island, where you can walk, swim, or hire a kayak or paddleboard in summer.

“A thoroughly enjoyable trip around the Bay of Islands, including a fun drive through the ‘hole in the rock’. We slowed down by a few bays, were directed to a provided map so that we could orientate ourselves, and we were given insightful information about these areas. Such a beautiful location, and even on the slightly overcast day, it was stunning. Towards the later part of the cruise, we had a stop on Otehei Island for lunch, which was delicious, and then enjoyed some free time - we opted for a pretty 40 min walk around part of the island, but was very tempted to swim/snorkel. Then it was back…”

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