Pick up from Auckland centralSnacks & Water4.5 hours guided boat cruiseHole in the Rock SightingUrupukapuka Island StopProfessional tour guide/driverDrop off at Auckland central

Adult: 13 years +Children: 3-12 yearsInfant: 0-2 years: free of charge if no seat required.

Cancellations & Refunds

11 days or more prior to travel: Full refund**7-10 days prior: 25% cancellation fee plus any booking fees and charges.3-6 days prior: 50% cancellation fee plus any booking fees and charges.Within 48 hours of travel: No refunds**Note: Any refund approved under our terms and conditions will be subject to a 5% admin & processing fee, which will be deducted from the refund amount.Please see more information on refunds and cancellations in Go New Zealand's terms and conditions.

Overview Itinerary Book now

Bay of Islands Tour with Hole in the Rock Cruise

North Island

Auckland And Beyond Tours

from

NZ$459

per adult

Book Now

Whangārei Falls cascading over a cliff into a forested gorge near the Bay of Islands

Experiences

Cruises

Family-friendly Tours

Small Group Tours

Day Tours

North Island

Start: Auckland

Duration: 1 day

Travel Time: 12 hours

Coastal Splendour Awaits

Your journey begins with a scenic three-hour drive from Auckland through rolling farmland and lush native forests, traversing into the Far North where Māori first settled over seven centuries ago. Arriving in Paihia, you’ll board a guided catamaran for a 4.5-hour voyage across crystal-clear waters, known for harboring dolphins, seals, and a vibrant marine ecosystem. This boat ride delivers some of the most stunning coastal landscapes in the Southern Hemisphere, beneath what is said to be the second-clearest sky in the world.

The cruise’s centerpiece is navigating through the iconic Hole in the Rock at Cape Brett Peninsula—if weather conditions permit—offering a dramatic and memorable moment. Following this, you’ll anchor at Urupukapuka Island to stretch your legs on pristine beaches or take a brief walk up to a lookout that offers sweeping, 360° views of the island-studded ocean. This blend of wildlife watching, natural wonders, and relaxing shoreline highlights embodies the essence of Bay of Islands adventure.

Coastal view of the Bay of Islands with sparkling blue water and lush island landscapes

Aerial view of Roberton Island (Motuarohia) with anchored yachts in the Bay of Islands

Tour boat approaching the Hole in the Rock at Motukōkako Island in the Bay of Islands

Panoramic coastal view of the Bay of Islands with scattered islands and turquoise water

Stunning seascape of the Bay of Islands with scattered islets and sparkling blue waters

Motukōkako Island’s Hole in the Rock formation rising from the Pacific Ocean

Aerial view of Bay of Islands showing turquoise water and rolling green headlands

Return Through Natural Beauty

Once your maritime exploration wraps up, relax as you return to Auckland via the scenic Northland countryside. The journey takes you through rolling green landscapes, weaving together the coastal and inland beauty that makes northern New Zealand so visually captivating.

By the time you approach the city again, you’ll carry memories of dolphins leaping from turquoise waters, a natural arch the likes of which few places offer, and quiet island beaches framed by endless skies—an entire day that fuses discovery, tranquillity, and sheer coastal magic.

Summer Pick Up: 9am
Winter Pick Up: 5am
Duration: 12 hours
Minimum: 2 adults

Pick up from Auckland central
Snacks & Water
4.5 hours guided boat cruise
Hole in the Rock Sighting
Urupukapuka Island Stop
Professional tour guide/driver
Drop off at Auckland central

Adult: 13 years +
Children: 3-12 years
Infant: 0-2 years: free of charge if no seat required.

11 days or more prior to travel: Full refund**
7-10 days prior: 25% cancellation fee plus any booking fees and charges.
3-6 days prior: 50% cancellation fee plus any booking fees and charges.
Within 48 hours of travel: No refunds

**Note: Any refund approved under our terms and conditions will be subject to a 5% admin & processing fee, which will be deducted from the refund amount.

Please see more information on refunds and cancellations in Go New Zealand's terms and conditions.