Half Day Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise - Tauranga
Overview
Available languages
5 hours
Mobile ticket
Your Half Day Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise begins as you’re welcomed aboard the Bay Explorer at Tauranga waterfront jetty. You will explore the Bay of Plenty coastline where we will showcase the amazing diversity of marine wildlife including dolphins swimming along side our vessel. Watch seasonal seabirds, penguins, seals, whales, sunfish, school fish, sharks, orca...even turtles!
Our dolphin & wildlife cruise is tailored to those wanting a genuine kiwi experience in nature. It’s a story about our human intrigue with amazing marine animals and their habitat. Participate by searching on the large top deck for that once in a lifetime wildlife encounter. We have limited our passenger numbers for comfort and to enable a more personal experience. Our large spacious boat is also ideal for families.
The Captain and experienced crew lust to share their marine knowledge with you. Don’t forget your camera as we are able to get up close to wildlife, making it a photographer’s dream.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children MUST Be Accompanied By An Adult
Minimum Drinking Age 18+ Years
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Our Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise offers an authentic Kiwi experience amidst nature—a tale of human fascination with marine life. Join us in exploring the wonders of dolphins and more. We limit passengers for comfort, ensuring a personal touch, ideal for families. Your half-day Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise begins as you’re welcomed aboard Bay Explorer at the Tauranga waterfront. You will spend the cruise exploring the pristine Bay of Plenty coastline and islands, where we will showcase the amazing diversity of Tauranga’s marine wildlife. Say hello to wild dolphins swimming under your feet. Watch seasonal seabirds, penguins, seals, whales, sunfish, school fish, sharks, orcas… even turtles! Our knowledgeable captain and crew share their marine insights through engaging commentary, ensuring you won’t miss a thing! It’s a shared, once-in-a-lifetime experience, perfect for photographers. Come aboard 9am on Bay Explorer, Tauranga’s premier wildlife cruise, and discover why it’s a must for those seeking things to do in Tauranga. You’ll be back by 2:00 pm, leaving you the afternoon to explore the beautiful Bay of Plenty or continue your travels.
What‘s Included
A half day cruise on our spacious 18 metre vessel with 360° outdoor views.
Close-up encounters-penguins, seals, dolphins, whales, sunfish, seabirds, sharks, turtles and orca.
Onboard commentary and references with facts on the Bay and local marine wildlife.
Comfortable fully enclosed seating downstairs and a large open sun-deck for wildlife watching.
Our friendly, professional Bay Explorer Crew
Photos of a lifetime!
Some of the best marine diversity in New Zealand.
Pick Up & Return Transfer (Optional)
Lunch Box (Optional)
Cold beer and chilled regional wines from our licenced bar and non-alcoholic beverages
Options
Half Day Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise - Tauranga
Reviews
103 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Wonderful cruise,with wonderful weather,crew & fellow passengers
davidaF1449RT,,Jan 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a truly wonderful time on the half day dolphin & wildlife cruise,the crew were great made you feel very welcome they were knowledgeable and did a great job leading us to a hammer head shark a sun fish and lots & lots of amazing dolphins made all the the better with glorious weather and calm seas 🌊 and to cap it all off the crew including Taylor let me take the helm at the bridge from around 8 miles out & encouraged me to take her home right into the Harbour to the water front jetty where we set off from,was just a wonderful wonderful fantastic day thank you so much.Best wishes David.
All the dolphins!
812krissyk,,Jan 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Well run, an awesome experience. If you haven't seen dolphins in the wild, it is magical and inspiring. We saw a small pod of 7 and then a big pod of 20-30. Well worth the price. What you get on any given day may be a bit down to luck, but they do their best to show you the best, and that's what counts.
Awesome Trip
Nemo2329,,Jan 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Staff were super friendly and knowledgeable. Facilities were great and very clean. We spent quite a long time with a pod of dolphins.
Many many dolphins
375fannif,,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Friendly knowledgable crew and an amazing day with the dolphins. Would recommend if you don’t want to swim with them. The bar was excellent too!
Heartwarming experience
deborahjX7395IB,,Jan 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Well worth the price paid for the overall experience! We saw so many dolphins including babies! So so cute ☺️ we had around an hour on the water with the dolphins swimming and playing around the boat. Exceptional crew, super friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.
Great experience! The...
Mitchell B,,Jan 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience! The crew were really friendly and super knowledgeable. Managed to see Sharks, Dolphins & penguins while on the tour as well as a great view of Tauranga, Mt Maunganui and Karewa. Highly recommend
Best Dolphin Cruise Ever!
michelewW6693JB,,Jan 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our family took the Dolphin and Wildlife cruise and absolutely loved it! We saw over 50 dolphins in a large pod. We watched dolphins with their young swimming, jumping and playing for an hour. We also saw lots of penguins, sunfish and one shark. It's a must do trip if in the area. The staff were great!
10 out of 10 kind of day
Sightsee02819594168,,Jan 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a fabulous trip, we saw penguins, a couple pods of dolphins and lots of different seabirds. The staff were extremely knowledgeable, helpful and patient. The skipper Jamie even let my 9 year old niece steer the boat. I am a return customer who will undoubtedly be back again. 10 out of 10 recommend.
Great day!
Scenic47701605716,,Dec 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Really fab little trip! It was a LONG trip so definitely bring a book for when the wildlife isn't around. They do sell beers and snacks so that was also great. When we got to dolphins it was AMAZING and the team really made sure everyone got a great view. About 35-40 people in the tour itself but not once did it feel over crounded! I was really hopeful for other wildlife spotting but that's the point of going out into the wild to see things, you just might not!
Bay Explorer
Sherpa13849138615,,Dec 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Lovely day out on the boat, staff extremely helpful and friendly! Disappointing that we did not see anything other than dolphins. They were so beautiful to see but would have liked to have seen more of the sea life that was advertised in the advert. Do understand that you cannot predict but, I was under the impression that we’d see whales, turtles etc. Feel it was an expensive trip for dolphins.
From NZ$175.00
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