3 Hours // Hole in the Rock Cruise & Bay of Islands Tour
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Discover the Bay of Islands, and take a scenic boat cruise through the 144 subtropical islands.
Visit the famous "Hole in the Rock" and Cape Brett Lighthouse.
Stopover on Roberton Island to take a short walk to the lookout point over the Twin Lagoons
Keep an eye out for our unique New Zealand sea birds and marine life, take a short walk along some of the island trails to breathtaking viewpoints while your crew provide commentary and information throughout the day.
• Scenic Cruising among 144 subtropical islands.
• Visit the Hole in the Rock and Cape Brett Lighthouse
• Remote island stopovers
• Native bush walks and 360 degree views from the island lookout points
• Lookout for unique wildlife throughout the day
• Interactive commentary and information
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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 next to our check-in location - Pier 10 on the Paihia Wharf
Suitable for families, couples and solo travellers
Suitable for all ages
No-show will forfeit 100% of the ticket cost
Cruise-ship guests need to ensure 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.
The "Hole in the Rock" section of the tour is weather dependent. If conditions are not suitable to travel to The Hole in the Rock, an alternative route within the sheltered inner islands will be used.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Smaller Group Tours (49 Guests Max)
Visit the famous "Hole in the Rock" and Cape Brett Lighthouse
Remote island stopover (Roberton Island)
Scenic Cruise among 144 Islands
Wildlife spotting, commentary and information throughout the day
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Lunch
Alcoholic Beverages
What To Expect
Check in is at PIER 10 on the Paihia wharf, please arrive 15 minutes before your departure time
Bay of Islands
This cruise and Island Tour promises an unforgettable experience, with highlights including an island stopover and visiting the famous "Hole in the Rock" plus scenic cruising through the 144 islands. Marvel at the breathtaking natural wonder known as the "Hole in the Rock" and the iconic Cape Brett Lighthouse. Immerse yourself in the beauty of this pristine marine playground as you explore secluded coves, witness rich marine life, and soak in the picturesque landscapes. A perfect blend of relaxation and exploration awaits on this Bay of Islands excursion.
Options
Paihia Wharf Departure
Reviews
54 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great day on the water
KelliJ S,
Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great stop on Robertson island! Worth the hike to the top. I counted 217 steps. Beautiful hole in rock trip with dolphin sightings! Thanks Zac and Dave!
Zac provided a lot of...
Jack F,
Oct 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Zac provided a lot of interesting info, some even true. Definitely enjoyed the Hole in the Rock stories, and traversing thru the "hole". Also enjoyed the stop where we walked some 230 steps to get a spectacular view of surrounding area.
Great trip round the Islands from the water.
Deborah T,
Oct 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great overall trip to see the islands from the water. Our host Zac, really made all photo opportunities easy for us, especially at the Hole in the rock, we were lucky enough to travel through the hole as it was a very calm day.
Great boat tour!
Angie B,
Oct 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Zach was great! Adding background and color to what we were seeing is the true experience of sightseeing!
Amazing Couple Trip
arlbarr,
Oct 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hubby and I on a short vacay in Paihia took this tour to explore Bay of Islands which we haven’t done the last time we visited this place. Fortunately, we were upgraded to 4.5hrs tour because there was not enough people booked for this trip. It was an amazing trip. Worth the time. Nick, the Skipper and Daniel are fantastic team, sensitive to the needs of the people and precise in time. Well done 👍, highly recommended.
A fantastic boat trip with a wonderful crew.
Chris G,
Oct 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We got a free upgrade from the 3 hour to the 4 1/2 hour trip which included an extra island stop. The crew on our boat were all really friendly and informative and the boat itself was very comfortable. We were fortunate enough to be out on a very calm day so our captain took us through the hole in the rock twice and our return trip was on the ocean side of the islands so we had a different view point which is not always possible. The first stop on Roberton Island included the opportunity to climb up to the lookout which gave absolutely amazing views over the bay. The second island stop was in a beautiful bay where there was a cafe and bar and a large seating area just above the beach. All in all a fantastic trip which we would thoroughly recommend.
Fantastic Boat Trip
EM AJM20,
Oct 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were upgraded to the 4.5 hour version of the trip as our original trip didn’t have enough people. We still did the same things but stayed at each stop for longer. Nick the skipper was brilliant. Lots of interesting facts and good humour too. Dan and Bluebell were also brilliant. Very welcoming and made the trip special and memorable. 100% recommended!!
Breathtaking sailing with fantastic staff
Kylie s,
Oct 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Outstanding! I was the only one booked on this so was shifted to the 4.5 hour cruise, which was the highlight of my trip. The staff-especially young Dan-were excellent. The cruise around the beautiful Bay of Islands was breathtaking. We were also lucky to disembark for 30 minutes on Roberton Island. The weather played nicely which allowed us to cruise through the Hole in the Rock which was very cool. I was particularly excited that they sailed around the ‘corner’ from the Hole in the Rock so we could see a very cheeky fur seal colony playing and sunning on the rocks. Really appreciate also that the company works with the local Māori clans in partnership and this respect was shown throughout the cruise. I’ve done many activities in my couple of trips to NZ and this is my favourite to date.
Boat ride to the hole in the rock and island stop off
M1581CDjessicam,
Oct 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really enjoyable experience the staff were very friendly and a good laugh , well worth the visit if you are in the area , Great way to support a locally owned business
Hole in the Rock cruise by Island Getaway
Padmanabhan K,
Sep 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a wonderful experience. The stops at various islands, and going through the hole was worth it.
From NZ$145.00
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Operated by Island Getaway Tours