Hole in the Rock Cruise & Island Tour - with two island stopovers
Overview
Available languages
4 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Escape the crowds and discover the Bay of Islands on our 4.5 hour personalised and interactive Island Cruise & Tour.
Locally owned and operated, with a passion for sharing our beautiful area.
Suitable for all ages, families, solo travellers and couples...experience it all!
• Scenic cruise among 144 sub-tropical Islands
• Two remote island stopovers
• Native bush walks and 360 degree views from the island lookout points
• Visit the famous Hole in the Rock and Cape Brett Lighthouse
• Snorkel untouched island reefs
• Lookout for unique wildlife throughout the day
• Interactive commentary and information
• Scenic cruising among 144 subtropical islandsThere's no better way to spend the day....join us on our Hole in the Rock Cruise & Island Tour
Additional Info
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. Check-in at PIER 10
Suitable for families, couples and solo travellers
Suitable for all ages
Please bring a swimsuit & towel, and appropriate clothing for the day
Please bring lunch& drink for the day
Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
No-show will forfeit 100% of the ticket cost
Cruise-ship guests need to insure 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.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Island Getaway Tours
Check in 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 2 island stopovers (the enchanting Roberton Island) and a second location determined on the day. 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.
What‘s Included
Swim, Snorkel and relax (Mask, Snorkel and fins provided)
Cape Brett Lighthouse
Scenic Cruise among 144 Islands
Smaller group tours
Two remote island stopovers
The Famous Hole in the Rock
Wildlife spotting, commentary and information throughout the day
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Lunch
Options
Russell Wharf Departure
Starting point:
Russell Wharf, Russell, Bay of Islands, 27 The Strand, Russell 0202, New Zealand
Paihia Wharf Departure
Starting point:
Paihia Wharf, Paihia 0200, New Zealand
Reviews
824 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Highly Recommended
Bridget P,Apr 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a great tour! Captain Adam and Saqkara were fabulous! Before the tour they were in contact with me. They found out that our ship's docking time had changed and texted me to see if we wanted to change our tour time. During the tour they were helpful, courteous, and knowledgeable. We are so glad we chose this tour. It was all on boat (no buses or whatnot). We got off and explored on two islands. Our day was gorgeous for weather and wildlife sightings (and pictures). - but I'm sure that had little to do with them 😉lol. We went through the hole in the rock slowly and from both ways, which was tremendous. Whenever there were wildlife sightings, the captain made sure we all saw. Highly tecommended!
Hole in the Rock excursion
Randy R,Apr 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Adam and Shenetra(?) were AWESOME! Very knowledgeable and friendly. We were blessed by a large pod of porpoises near Robertson island.
Great tour of Bay of Islands
dustyl323,Apr 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An excellent way to see the wonders of the Bay of Islands on a comfortable boat with a friendly crew!
Wonderful
772allenb,Apr 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent 4.5 hour tour led by Adam and Saqkara. Beautiful sites seen and even dolphins and a sea lion.
Book this tour now! 10/10 rating!
midsummerdream1,Apr 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The Hole in the Rock cruise with the two-island tour truly exceeded our expectations. From the moment I booked through TripAdvisor, the communication was seamless and thoughtful. This is a family-owned company that genuinely cares about their guests, prioritizing safety while also making sure everyone has an incredible experience. We were lucky with perfect weather, but what made the day unforgettable was a pod of playful, curious dolphins that followed our boat all the way to the first island stop. Watching them jump, play, and interact in their natural habitat was absolutely magical. Even the captain mentioned that this wasn’t typical so we knew how special it was. At the first island, we had about 30 minutes to explore on our own. We took a short hike to a stunning viewpoint before heading back to the boat. From there, we made our way to the Hole in the Rock (definitely recommend the 4.5-hour tour). We had pre-ordered lunch through the tour company, and it was excellent. A vegetarian sandwich, brownie, large blueberry muffin, apple, and a drink. If you tend to get hungry, I’d highly recommend ordering ahead. It’s from High Tide Bakery & Café and absolutely worth it. On the way, we were in for another treat, we were able to pass through the Hole in the Rock and even spotted a seal resting high up on the rocks. The day just kept getting better. Our second island stop gave us about an hour to either relax at the café with panoramic views or explore. We chose to hike about 1.5 km, surrounded by sheep and overlooking untouched beaches. It felt unreal. Before heading back, the captain fed the snapper at the pier, which was fun to watch as they gathered near the surface. This was honestly one of the best tours we’ve ever done. It was perfectly paced, with just the right balance of guided experience and time to explore independently. The captain and his teammate were incredibly personable and made sure everyone felt comfortable and cared for. Their energy and attention to detail made the whole experience feel relaxed and special. If you’re considering this tour, I highly recommend it, especially because it’s a family-run business that truly goes above and beyond. We never once felt rushed. I was not paid to write this review, just genuinely had an amazing experience.
New Zeland experience
Tanya Y,Apr 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a great experience. The tour and the crew was fantastic. I recommend this experience to everyone.
Must do trip
Alison N,Apr 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is a must do trip. Excellent skipper Zak and second mate Bluebell made the trip more worthwhile. It was rough out around the hole in the rock (because of the storm) it was great getting wet and rocking over the waves.
New Core Memory Unlocked!
548rachaelw,Apr 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wow - we had such a great time on this tour! First of all, we were blessed with some sunshine in the middle of a bunch of rainy days, so that was incredible. Secondly, skipper Nic and crew members Bluebell and Bree (who I believe was on her last tour before going back to the U.S) went out of their way to make it an especially memorable trip for my son, Levi. They happily answered all of his curious questions, and Captain Nic even gave him the chance to steer the boat (supervised of course🙂) at the end. Without going into too much detail on here, Levi is facing some lifelong health challenges, so we’ve made the decision to do more trips like this as a family when we can. This boat trip was an incredibly special moment for him, and it will be a lifelong memory for us all. It was so kind of the crew. Thank you so much! Rachael, Chris and Levi Woodrow
Great family-run tour company with friendly crew
Richard J,Apr 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The crew were great - friendly and knowable. Going on a tour in a smaller vessel made you feel you’re not just a number in a large crowd. The bay of islands is an amazing place, and the tour was made even better by seeing a pod of dolphins up close.
Great day out
Lindsey R,Apr 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very good, professional tour. Safety and care of the passengers on the boat was very evident. The had 2 stops and were able to walk to the lookout for both. The weather was very kind to us, and we were able to appreciate the views, rain would have made this much more difficult The crew were attentive and made sure everyone was ok when we were in open water and it was rougher. We learnt alot about the area through the Captain's commentary
From NZ$169.00
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Operated by Island Getaway Tours