Bay of Islands Snorkelling

Overview

Available languages

German

Korean

Chinese

Japanese

English

Italian

French

Spanish

Mobile ticket

We are the only dedicated snorkelling adventure here in the Bay of Islands, small, personalized tour with a vessel that has the ability to get us to clear waters of the 'No-take' area started in 2010 in Deep Water Cove where a huge variety of super friendly fish, clear water and awesome scenery along the way with commentary is waiting for you.

We cater for all snorkelling abilities and have good quality gear of wetsuits masks & snorkels for keeping you warm and comfortable in the water for longer.

We have modified our boat to make entering and exiting the water super easy, with a hot fresh water rinse off afterwards is just the best!

We have a love and passion for the area and with the years of knowledge are super happy that we are able to share this with you.

Our trips start in November through to May and can be book online through our website, so feel free to check out some dates and availability there.

If you want a private tour that can be arranged as well by contacting us.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Once picked up from the wharf we'll head out past the beautiful Islands to the clear waters of the Cape Brett Peninsular, enjoying the scenery as we make our way to our snorkelling spots at Deep Water Cove, all gear is provided including wet suits to keep you comfortable in the water for longer and it is so easy to enter the water with our platform (no climbing ladders) enjoy the fish and experience in two completely different snorkelling sites, then have a warm fresh water rinse off and a hot (Packet) soup to warm you up afterwards. Cruise with some local knowledge of the sights and scenes along the way. Whether you are experienced or not at snorkelling this is a neat way to see the Bay of Island above and below. With a drop off option on the largest island on the way home this can be a half day or full day trip, up to you.

What‘s Included

Hot fresh water rinse off for after your snorkel!

A hot packet soup for after your snorkel

We have a very large range of sizes of full wetsuits, masks and snorkels and fins. To keep you in the water for as long as you want to be in there!

Towels and swimwear

Welcome to bring your own and please bring water to drink

Options

Morning Snorkelling

Duration: 4 hours: 3.5 hour trip with two snorkelling spots
Deep Water Cove
Pelorus Belle, Boat

Afternoon Snorkelling

Snorkelling
Duration: 4 hours: This is a 3.5 hour trip dropping you back at your pick up location
Deep Water cove past the Bay
Boat: Snorkelling in mind

Snorkelling plus Island stop

Duration: 5 hours: This trip leaves at 9 and then has a stop at an Island for 1 hour on the way home. Leaving from both Russell and Paihia.
Hot Soup: Hot soup given after your Snorkelling
Deep Wate Cove: Travelling past the main group of Islands with commentary along the way.
Pelorus Belle, Boat

Snorkelling plus island stop

Snorkelling tour
Duration: 4 hours: This is 4 to 5 hours long with an Island stop on the way home
Boat

Reviews

5.00

88 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Highlight of our trip!!
367sierraf,,Jun 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had an amazing time with Bay of Islands snorkeling! It was the highlight of our whole trip to the Bay of Islands. The guides are so knowledgeable and make such an effort to ensure you get the most out of your day snorkeling. We were able to get up close to lots of varieties of fish and learned lots about the area and the different species we saw. Cannot recommend them highly enough!!
fabulous snorkelling
angelamE9455PI,,Apr 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Tammy and Scott are operators who are passionate and professional in what they do with Bay of Islands Snorkelling. They really take care of you and make sure you are able to have the best ever experience in the water with good gear and no matter what your snorkelling experience is. The snorkelling is in marine reserve areas so there is lots to see and enjoy especially when you have the chance to feed the fish with kina. Plus its a comfy ride in their boat with only a small group of people.
Wonderful day on the water
annainportland,,Mar 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was a really different snorkeling experience for us. Normally we have gone in warm waters with tropical fish but here the water was cooler and the fish were different too. We were given life jackets and if you got too cold you could request a hood which really helps. We had 2 places we stopped and spent about 45 minutes in each area snorkeling. Tammy and her husband were great guides and we learned a lot about the area and the fish. Scott dove and got sea urchins from an area outside of the reserve and then we were able to feed them to the fish inside of the reserve. It was a great experience!! The warm water to rinse off with and the warm soup just topped off a perfect day.
Perfect Snorkeling Experience
271chipy,,Mar 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Tammy and Scott were fantastic. PIcked us up on time, took us to great snorkeling sites, and provided everything we needed. We were given full wet suits which made the water even more comfortable. They saw I liked to dive and provided a weight belt to offset buoyancy. The lunch at the remote island bar and grill was a perfect ending. I was ready to do the whole thing again the next day if they had been going!
Worth Every Penny!
637jenniw,,Mar 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was by far the highlight of my two weeks in New Zealand! Both guides were extremely knowledgeable, friendly and super capable sea people. Worth every penny!
Great memories. Great day.
Traveler53466804805,,Feb 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
What a brilliant day. It is easily the highlight of our holiday. The tour is with a small group that are taken to two wonderful spots to snorkel, including an amazing opportunity to feed schools of fish from your hands. Our hosts were wonderful, taking each person’s skills and experience into account, leading the adventurous under archways and into tunnels along the cove’s cliffs. We will definitely do this tour again when back near Paihia.
10/10, amazing experience
sfD6974AH,,Feb 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Amazing experience. Tammy and her family were super friendly, passionate, knowledgeable, and accommodating. Great way to spend half a day in the Bay of Islands.
Bay of Islands Snorkle treat!
Melody W,,Feb 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was a perfect local tour of Bay of Islands . Just enough history along with Tammy and Taylor’s fun spirit, hit shower, wet suits and a cup of hot soup . You will need this even in the summer! We fed the tropical fish , sea urchins with special gloves , saw fairy penguins, dolphins , man a rays , and a few little squid . On off season( more time ) we stopped at a small island with a cafe, nice beach and beverages. Perfect timing for a cold beer and calamari! We have been to over 50 countries with a variety of tours , this one is a must for Bay of Islands .
Tammy and her disgusted...
Ashley F,,Feb 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Tammy and her daughter Taylor were amazing. Fun and inclusive trip. Knowledgable and you got to see the sea life. 2 snorkel spots plus island stop over for a drink and good was great!
Fabulous!
katievL6881WC,,Feb 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
What an amazing experience! One of the best things that I have done and so glad we chose Bay of Islands Snorkelling rather than one of the bigger outfits. We snorkelled in a couple of quiet spots with many varieties of fish in evidence. Swam through an arch and into a cave. We fed fishes and even found time to enjoy a lovely cold beer at Otehei Bay. We were lucky to have only four of us on the boat and we all had an amazing time. Tammy, our skipper, was confident, knowledgeable and so passionate about showing us the Bay of Islands. We could not have been in safer hands. What a trip!

From NZ$220.00