3-Day Bay of Islands Tour from Auckland

Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Image 4
Image 5
Image 6
Image 7
Image 8

Overview

Available languages

English

72 hours

Mobile ticket

This comprehensive 3-day tour of the Bay of Islands is ideal for the first time visitor to New Zealand. With natural beauty, rocky islets and pristine beaches, the Bay of Islands is the water playground of the North Island. Learn about Maori culture, travel to the northernmost point of New Zealand and take a cruise through the famous "Hole in the Rock".

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Independent touring - this is not a group tour - we use local suppliers & you will have a different coach & driver each day.

Please note that the coach from Auckland to Paihia and return is an intercity coach (full size tour coach, however, with little to no commentary)

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

What‘s Included

Russell township tour

Commentary by local guide

Hotel pickup and drop-off from Auckland

Hole in the Rock' Cruise (weather permitting)

Transportation by air-conditioned coach

Lunch

2-nights accommodation in the Bay of Islands

Food and drinks, unless specified

Gratuities

What To Expect

Day 1

Auckland – Bay of Island

Accommodations

Kingsgate Hotel or similar

1

Paihia

Depart from Auckland City Centre and make your way to the township of Paihia. Along the way, see the Auckland Harbour Bridge, the golden sand beaches of the Hibiscus Coast, and the Northern City of Whangarei.

Admission Not Applicable
2

Russell

This afternoon you will take the ferry from Paihia to Russell where at 1.00 pm you will join a sightseeing tour of this historic township.

1 hourAdmission Not Applicable
3

enjoy a cruise to Cape Brett and Piercy Island and discover the Bay’s highlights from the water. Sea conditions permitting travel through the cavernous Hole in the Rock and marvel at what nature has created. Spot dolphins frolicking, seals and more. Returned to Paihia late afternoon.

4 hoursAdmission Included
Day 2

Day Two: Cape Reinga Day Excursion

Accommodations

Kingsgate Hotel or similar

Food and Drinks

LUNCH

Lunch

1

Manginangina Kauri Walk

Today you will travel even further north and make a visit to the beautiful Puketi Kauri Forest and get close to majestic giant kauri trees and native bush. Walk along a specially built walkway while giant trees surround you.

30 minutesAdmission Included
2

Ninety Mile Beach

Travel along the aptly named 90 mile beach as waves crash beside your custom-built coach. You'll make a number of stops along this journey (weather depending) as you continue on north.

Admission Not Applicable
3

Cape Reinga

Arrive at the northernmost tip of New Zealand and look out over the vast ocean at Cape Reinga. Visit the iconic lighthouse and see the point where the Tasman Sea and the mighty Pacific Ocean meet. After you will also enjoy a delicious lunch (included) on the tour and a stop will be made at a local museum. Your tour will return to Paihia in the early evening.

1 hourAdmission Not Applicable
Day 3

Bay of Islands – Auckland

1

Waitangi Treaty Grounds

This morning you will visit and have a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds the site of the historic treaty between the Māori and European pioneers. View a magnificent Māori meeting house and large war canoe.

2 hoursAdmission Included
2

Auckland Central

Early afternoon transferred back to the wharf in Paihia to join your coach returning to Auckland. Late afternoon arrive in Auckland you will be transferred to your central city accommodation at which time your tour will conclude.

3 hoursAdmission Not Applicable

Options

Single Room

3-Day Bay of Islands Trip from Auckland in a single room
Pickup included

Twin Share

3-Day Bay of Islands Trip from Auckland in twin share accommodation
Pickup included

Triple Share

3-Day Bay of Islands Trip from Auckland in triple share accommodation
Pickup included

Reviews

4.39

38 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

24
10
1
1
2
  • Varied, full program

    Malcolm W,

    Apr 11, 2025

    - Viator

    5.00

    Excellent content. Varied, full experience - cruise, bus tour to Cape Reinga and guided tour of Waitangi Treaty Ground

  • Bay of islands is...

    Georgina M,

    Mar 24, 2025

    - Viator

    5.00

    Bay of Islands is beautiful. Russell is such a pretty town. The bus up was 30 mins late and there is no time factored in for lunch after leaving Auckland at such an early hour. It was not in the itinerary that we would spend over 2 hrs on the beach which was very disappointing as I had not brought swimwear. On the return to Auckland the bus again was 30 mins late and there was no pickup taxi waiting. This wasn't too much of a problem for me because my hotel was nearby but I would be an issue if your hotel was further away. While the scenery was beautiful if I was to do this trip again I would organise it myself.

  • Easy to follow the program

    jacolien w,

    Jan 10, 2025

    - Viator

    5.00

    Easy to follow the program . You experience all the highlights of The Bay Of Islands Very good spot to go see The hotel was excellent with a nice view

  • Beautiful memories

    Fiona C,

    Sep 3, 2024

    - Viator

    5.00

    I totally enjoyed the whole experience. The hotel I stayed in was excellent and the people were very kind.. I was very lucky the weather was so good the day tour around the Bay of Islands. X

  • Beautiful Bay Tour

    Carol G,

    Mar 3, 2024

    - Viator

    5.00

    Busy trip, but a good trip. They organized it well.Everything went according to plan. Really enjoyed the Hole in Rock cruise and saw pod of dolphins putting on a show for us.

From NZD 1199

4.39
38 reviews