14 Bay of Islands Trips from Auckland, Compared

1.Full-Day Tour to the Bay of Islands

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 60 reviews · 12 hours · from $274Our pick

Travel from Auckland to Paihia in a Mercedes-Benz van, then board a catamaran for a guided cruise among the Bay of Islands’ 144 islands. Look for dolphins, visit the Hole in the Rock when conditions allow, and spend a short stop on Urupukapuka Island. Guides such as John, Nancy, and Simon have led recent trips; lunch is not included.

“I liked being able to see Paihia and the hole in the rock. I would say the only downside about this tour is that you don't really have time to have a proper break between Auckland and Paihia because of restrictions regarding working hours of the guide. In that regard it was a bit stressful to find lunch in a short period of 30-40minutes when there were mostly restaurants available were you would have to sit down. Would therefore recommend that you take your lunch with you from the start of the tour and then are able to relax for this short stop. It wasn't our guides fault which is…”

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2.Group tour to Bay of Islands return from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 48 reviews · from $284Top rated

Travel north from Auckland in an air-conditioned vehicle, then cruise from Paihia through the Bay of Islands, with a chance to spot bottlenose dolphins and see the Hole in the Rock. Auckland city-center pickup, snacks, water and activity tickets are included. Guides on past departures have included Nancy, Jon, Warren, David and Henric.

“Extremely long day picked up at 9am and returned at 11pm, my recommendation is to do this tour over 2 days. Long stretches in bus going and returning but the actual bay of islands cruise and lunch was lovely, even saw dolphins”

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3.3-Day Bay of Islands Tour from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 41 reviews · from $785

Travel from Auckland to Paihia, then explore Northland by coach, ferry, and boat. The three-day trip visits Russell, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Puketi Kauri Forest, Cape Reinga, and Ninety Mile Beach, with a Hole in the Rock cruise if conditions allow. Local guides vary by day, and two nights’ accommodation in Paihia are included.

“I totally enjoyed the whole experience. The hotel I stayed in was excellent and the people were very kind.. I was very lucky the weather was so good the day tour around the Bay of Islands. X”

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4.Bay of Islands 2-Day Small Group Tour & Cruise from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 33 reviews · from $452

Leave Auckland at 6:30 am with a guide for Northland’s kauri forest, Hokianga Harbour and Waitangi Treaty Grounds, then stay overnight in Paihia and cruise to the Hole in the Rock and Urupukapuka Island. The group is capped at 15. Guides including Matt, Mark, Brendan and Dean have been praised for clear explanations and considerate care.

“It was wonderful fun. It's a comfortable drive through rolling hills, with views of the oceans both side. Fish and chips in a glorious bay with turquoise water. Then up to Waitangi and the ceremony on a sunny day. The accommodation was nice Read more”

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5.3 Day Bay Of Islands Tour from Auckland including Waitangi and Cape Reinga

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 18 reviews · from $772

Travel from Auckland to Paihia, visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, spend a full day at Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach, then cruise the Bay of Islands before returning to Auckland. Two nights’ accommodation and one lunch are included. Expect a mix of guided excursions and independent travel, with some legs using public transport.

“The trip was very well organised everyone was so helpful. Waitangi Treaty centre was so interesting such big part New Zealand history The boat trip around Bay of Island so beautiful as dolphins followed the boat . The bus trip was a long waRead more”

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6.Bay of Islands Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 17 reviews · from $589

Leave your Auckland hotel with a private driver-guide for the roughly three-hour trip north to Paihia. Then spend 4.5 hours on a catamaran among the Bay of Islands, with a stop on Urupukapuka Island and a visit to the Hole in the Rock. Guides such as Nancy, Jon, and Adil have earned praise for their local stories, care, and extra stops.

“Long but very enjoyable day. Some light showers and wind made for bit bumpy ride on the ferry but there is an enclosed deck for fair weather travelers. Jon our driver was superb. Excellent service dropping all in our group back to our hotels in the evening. Good taste of Bay of the islands wanting a longer stay but great for a day trip!”

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7.Bay of Islands Discovery Experience from Auckland incl. Hole In The Rock Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $650

Ride from Auckland to Paihia in a private, air-conditioned minibus, with a guide sharing local context along the way. Then cruise among the Bay of Islands, pass Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock, and spend 1.5 hours at Urupukapuka Island. Dolphins and other wildlife may appear, but sightings are never guaranteed.

“We had a wonderful day today. We were lucky to see a lot of dolphins swimming around our boat. The hiking on the Otehei Bay island was fantastic, green grass on the hills with sheep scattering around and overlooking the ocean and islRead more”

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8.Bay of Islands Day Tour with Dolphin Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · 13 hours · from $283

Ride from Auckland to Paihia with an English-speaking escort, then cruise the Bay of Islands past Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock. Look for dolphins, whales and other marine life, and spend 1.5 hours at Otehei Bay for a swim, walk or meal. The day lasts 13 hours; one guide named Karthik has led the trip, though your escort may be different.

“Our Driver/Tour guide Karthik was very knowlegable and kept us all interested on the long journey to the Islands. The boat trip was great, amazing views and time out on an island for food, drink & relaxation. The Bay of islands is a very beautiful place and well worth a visit. I wish I could have stayed for longer.”

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9.Bay of Islands Heritage Experience from Auckland incl. Waitangi & Russell

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · from $588

Start with Auckland CBD pickup at 6am, then travel north by air-conditioned minibus with an English-speaking guide. At Waitangi, visit the Treaty Grounds and attend a Māori cultural performance; in Paihia, take the ferry to Russell for a one-hour town tour. The day includes refreshments, Wi-Fi and return transport. Guides Mary and Karthek have earned special praise.

“Tack Mary för att du gjorde våran resa ner till Waitangi och Rusell så fin. Så vacker natur och mycket kultur. Vi kommer tillbaka.”

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10.Bay of Islands Explorer Experience Small Group Tour From Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · from $294

Start in central Auckland with a guide-led drive north through Northland, stopping at Kawakawa’s Hundertwasser-designed public toilets before a Bay of Islands cruise. Look for dolphins and other marine life, pass Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock, then spend 1.5 hours at Urupukapuka Island. Karthik has led trips with commentary on New Zealand’s history, culture and nature.

“Karthik was a wonderful tour guide for our trip from Auckland to Bay of Islands for our boat adventure. He was friendly, knowledgeable and an excellent commentator throughout our 3+hours through the stunning New Zealand countryside. Read more”

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11.Private Tour: Bay of Islands Day Trip from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 6 reviews · from $578

Travel north from Auckland in a private vehicle with an English-speaking guide, stopping at Parry Kauri Park, Whangarei Falls, Haruru Falls and Paihia. You can add a Hole in the Rock cruise and visit Waitangi Treaty Grounds, with entrance fees extra. Guides named Bobby, Mike and Trevor have led this trip, but your guide may differ.

“Bobby was excellent, due to the weather cruise ran longer but worth every minute of it!! Highly recommend!”

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12.Bay of Islands Tour & Cruise 2Day Small Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $439

Travel from Auckland in a small group of up to 16, with a guide and driver in a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. Visit the Kauri Museum, Waipoua Forest and Waitangi Treaty Grounds, then spend 4.5 hours cruising the Bay of Islands, with wildlife spotting and a stop at Otehei Bay. Guide Ally has been praised for her helpful, passionate approach.

“The tour was fantastic. The itinerary was a perfect mix of culture and NZ countryside. The driver was excellent, he was respectful and passionate about his country and nothing was too much trouble. We enjoyed a full 2 day itinerary in the Bay of Islands on an excellent value tour.”

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13.Full Day Private Tour to the Bay of Islands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 12 hours · from $567

Travel north from Auckland in a private Mercedes-Benz van with an English-speaking driver-guide, then cruise among the Bay of Islands’ 144 islands. Look for marine life, visit the Hole in the Rock when tides allow, and spend time on Urupukapuka Island for a picnic, beach break or summit walk. Lunch, refreshments and hotel, airport or cruise-port pickup are included.

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14.5-Day Bay of Islands, Auckland, Hobbiton, Rotorua & Waitomo Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $1,362

Travel from Auckland to the Bay of Islands, then south via Waitomo, Rotorua, and Hobbiton. Local guides lead visits to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Te Puia, the glowworm caves, and the movie set. Four nights in 4-star hotels and attraction admissions are included, with a maximum group size of 14. Meals are not included.

“It’s nice when everything is booked for you. As a solo traveller it takes the worry out of how to get to places, also very helpful when you message operators they are lovely and fast to reply”

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