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Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise from Paihia, 8:30am

Cape Brett, the Hole in the Rock and a stop on Urupukapuka Island.

A 4.5 hour morning cruise from Paihia or Russell on the Dolphin Seeker: out to Motukōkako, the Hole in the Rock, watching for dolphins and whales, with an island stopover at Otehei Bay.

📍 New Zealand ⏱ 4 Hours, 30 Minutes 🔥 Chill

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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

Motukōkako, better known as the Hole in the Rock, is a natural archway through the island off the tip of Cape Brett, and this is the cruise that noses right through it when the sea allows. The vessel is a purpose-built catamaran with the largest outdoor viewing decks in the Bay of Islands, plus indoor seating and an air-conditioned cabin.

The 8:30am sailing leaves Paihia Wharf, with a Russell pick-up at 8:40am, and runs out through the islands towards the open coast. The crew watch for common and bottlenose dolphins, whales and other marine life the whole way, with the skipper's commentary and headsets in German, French and Mandarin. You pass the Cape Brett Peninsula and its historic lighthouse, then reach Motukōkako, where the skipper reads the swell and decides whether to take you under the arch. On the way back you stop at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island for about 1.5 hours: swim off the beach, walk an island track, or hire a kayak in the warmer months. Snacks and drinks are sold on board and there is a café at the bay.

The whole trip is about 4.5 hours, so you are back in Paihia for a late lunch. The 8:30am and 2:00pm sailings run from September to May; from June to August the single daily departure is 10:00am. The vessel is DOC-licensed for marine mammal viewing. Bring a warm jacket for the open deck, flat-soled shoes, sunglasses and sunscreen, and swimwear and a towel for Otehei Bay.

Why you'll love it

  1. 1

    Through the Hole in the Rock, sea conditions permitting

  2. 2

    Cape Brett Peninsula and its historic lighthouse

  3. 3

    Dolphin and whale watching with DOC licence

  4. 4

    Largest outdoor viewing decks in the Bay of Islands

  5. 5

    About 1.5 hours at Otehei Bay, Urupukapuka Island

  6. 6

    Commentary plus German, French and Mandarin headsets

  7. 7

    Departs Paihia 8:30am, Russell 8:40am

Itinerary at a glance

1 8:30am · Depart Paihia Wharf

Board at Paihia Wharf for the 8:30am sailing. The boat calls at Russell Wharf at 8:40am to collect passengers staying across the water, then heads out through the inner islands.

1 On the water · Dolphin and whale watching

The crew scan for common and bottlenose dolphins, whales and other marine life as you run out towards the open coast. Commentary runs from the bridge, with headsets available in German, French and Mandarin.

1 Cape Brett · Cape Brett lighthouse and the Hole in the Rock

You pass the Cape Brett Peninsula and its historic lighthouse, then reach Motukōkako. If the swell allows, the skipper takes the catamaran straight through the arch; if not, you still get up close to the rock.

1 Otehei Bay · Island stop on Urupukapuka

About 1.5 hours ashore at Otehei Bay. Swim off the beach, walk a track up to the headland views, or hire a kayak in the warmer months. There is a café at the bay.

1 Return · Back to Russell and Paihia

The boat drops Russell passengers first, then returns to Paihia Wharf about 4.5 hours after departure.

What's included

✓ What's included

  • Cruise past Cape Brett to Motukōkako, the Hole in the Rock
  • Marine mammal watching under DOC licence
  • Island stopover of about 1.5 hours at Otehei Bay, Urupukapuka Island
  • Skipper commentary throughout, with multilingual headsets
  • Departure from Paihia Wharf or Russell Wharf

✕ Not included

  • ✕Food and drinks (snacks and drinks sold on board, and a café at Otehei Bay)
  • ✕Kayak hire and other optional activities at Otehei Bay (seasonal)
  • ✕Transfers to Paihia or Russell wharf

Common questions about this trip

  • Where does the cruise leave from?
    From Paihia Wharf at 8:30am, with a pick-up at Russell Wharf at 8:40am for anyone staying on that side of the bay. Paihia is the backpacker hub for the Bay of Islands and the wharf is on the waterfront in the middle of town.

  • Will we actually go through the Hole in the Rock?
    Only if the sea lets you. Whether the boat passes beneath Motukōkako depends entirely on the day's sea conditions, and the skipper makes the call when you get there. When the swell is up you still cruise around the rock and the Cape Brett lighthouse without going through.

  • Are dolphin sightings guaranteed?
    No. The dolphins are wild and the crew look for them the whole way out and back, but the operator does not promise a sighting. The vessel is DOC-licensed for marine mammal viewing, so the crew follow the rules on how close they approach and for how long.

  • What should I bring?
    A warm jacket for the open decks, flat-soled shoes, sunglasses and sunscreen. If you want to swim at Otehei Bay, wear your swimsuit under your clothes and pack a towel. Bring your camera.

  • Is food included?
    No. Snacks and drinks are sold on board, and there is a bar and café at Otehei Bay during the island stop. You can also bring your own packed lunch for the beach.

  • Does the 8:30am sailing run all year?
    No. The 8:30am and 2:00pm departures run from September to May, with selected dates in May and September switching to a single 10:00am sailing. From June to August there is one departure a day at 10:00am from Paihia (10:10am from Russell).

  • How long is the stop on Urupukapuka Island?
    About 1.5 hours at Otehei Bay. That is enough for a swim and a short walk, or to sit on the beach with a drink from the café. Kayak hire is available in the peak season, paid on the day.

  • 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
"Absolutely stunning day, the … team were incredible at pointing out where everything is and answering any questions, they explained when the water could get choppy or spray. Boat was clean and lots of seating. We saw a pod of orca and seals, giving them space but also close enough for incredible photos. 100% recommend."
5

547maz

Tripadvisor review

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"Bit bumpy out in the open sea, but made it even more fun and we got through the hole in the rock! Watched a brown seal with a large fish for about 5 mins."
L

Libby661811027

Tripadvisor review

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

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