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Adventure

Bay of Islands Dolphin Cruise and Hole in the Rock Day Trip from Auckland

Three hours north, then 4.5 hours on a catamaran looking for dolphins.

A 12 hour day from Auckland CBD to Paihia: a 4.5 hour catamaran cruise through the Bay of Islands in search of dolphins, out to the Hole in the Rock on Motukokako Island, with transport both ways.

📍 New Zealand ⏱ 12 Hours 👥 Up to 20 🔥 Active

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$369 AUD

per person

Booked with Wanderlust, an Australian travel business based in Byron Bay (ABN 34 636 612 523). We handle your booking ourselves, before and after you travel.

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Overview

The Bay of Islands is three hours north of Auckland, and this tour handles the lot: pick-up from the CBD, the drive through the Far North District, the boat and the ride home.

At Paihia you join a 4.5 hour guided cruise on a catamaran, weaving between the bays and 144 islands while you look for dolphins and other marine life. The turn-around point is the Hole in the Rock on Motukokako Island, at the end of the Cape Brett Peninsula. Afterwards the driver takes the scenic roads of Northland back to Auckland.

It suits all ages and runs with a minimum of 2 people. The vehicle has air conditioning and Wi-Fi, and water and snacks are complimentary. Lunch is not included, and the exact pick-up time and location are confirmed the day before.

Why you'll love it

  1. 1

    4.5 hour guided catamaran cruise

  2. 2

    Dolphin and marine life search

  3. 3

    Hole in the Rock on Motukokako Island

  4. 4

    144 islands in the Bay of Islands

  5. 5

    Pick-up and drop-off from Auckland CBD

What's included

✓ What's included

  • Pick-up and drop-off from Auckland CBD
  • Professional guide and driver
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Wi-Fi on board
  • Complimentary water and snacks

✕ Not included

  • ✕Lunch
  • ✕Personal expenses and souvenirs
  • ✕Optional gratuities for guides
  • ✕Optional activities or extras not in the description

Common questions about this trip

  • What's the cancellation policy?
    Cancellation terms for this trip are set by the operator and confirmed on your booking voucher. Refunds mirror the operator's policy, if they can refund, so can we. Wanderlust handles the refund for you, refunds mirror the operator's terms 1:1 (including if the operator cancels) and we chase it on your behalf. Message us for the exact day-by-day terms before you book.

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What travellers say

Reviews from real travellers

Public reviews of the operator who runs this tour on the ground.

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"Part educational, part museum but all done with such respect for Maori history, this place was brilliant!"
A

Andrew F

Tripadvisor review

Traveller reviews, source shown on each · shown as excerpts.

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