Fullers GreatSights

Bay of Islands Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise

Help code: B92-12A1

(4.6)

11 reviews
  • See dolphins, penguins & more
  • Visit Hole in the Rock & Cape Brett Peninsular
  • Spacious outdoor viewing decks
  • Listen to the rich history of the bay
  • Multi Lingual available
  • Informative commentary on board
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Experience New Zealand's Bay of Islands’ spectacular natural landscapes as well as the wildlife on this unforgettable Hole in the Rock and Dolphin Cruise! Cruise through the bay’s sheltered waters and its many islands on a luxury catamaran, the Dolphin Seeker, purpose built for dolphin and whale watching. On this tour you'll be aboard a spacious, modern vessel featuring the Bay of Islands’ largest outdoor seating and viewing decks from which you can keep an eye out and get up close to common and bottlenose dolphins, whales and other marine life! You are also able to enjoy uninhibited views of the Cape Brett Lighthouse, as well as the natural highlights.

Visit the iconic Hole in the Rock and even travel right through the narrow space and be surrounded by the majestic rock walls! Experience more of this excitement and natural grandeur as you take in the Grand Cathedral Cave before returning to the mainland. Throughout the tour, your friendly guides shares with you interesting and informative commentary on the area. On this three hour cruise adventure, you can explore the islands, spot dolphins and other marine life and view two of the area’s most famous sites!

Please note: If you happen to not see dolphins or whales on your trip, you are offered a 'go again for free' voucher for another Hole in the Rock and Dolphin Cruise. Subject to availability and only applies to PM departures.

Inclusions

  • Half day cruise around the Bay of Islands
  • Viewing of dolphins, penguins and other marine wildlife
  • The famous 'Hole in the Rock'
  • Viewing of Cape Brett and the lighthouse
  • Informative commentary
  • Cruise past many of the 144 islands
  • The largest outdoor viewing and seating decks in the Bay of Islands
  • Free ferry ticket one way to Russell or Paihia

Exclusions

  • Dolphin Swim : You can purchase this for $30pp on the day (May-Oct only, weather permitting) If we are unable to swim with the dolphins this $30.00 will be refunded back to you on completion of the cruise

Highlights

  • Keep an eye out for dolphins, whales and other marine life during your cruise
  • Take in the stunning views as we glide out through the islands
  • Full commentary provided by your skipper

Time

  • Tour departs Paihia 8:30am & 2:00pm Daily: September to May
  • 10:00am Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday: June to August
  • Tour departs Russell 8:40am & 2:10pm Daily: September to May
  • 10:10am Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday: June to August

Departure Location

Paihia Departures: Please check in at the Maritime Building, 69 Marsden Road, Paihia, 15 mins before departure Russell Departures: Please meet the vessel at the end of the Russell wharf 15 mins before departure

What To Bring

  • Towel
  • Swimming gear
  • Sunhat and sunblock
  • Warm clothes - Wear your swimsuit under your clothes for convenient changing

Additional Information

  • A full commentary is provided in English by the skipper and crew. Printed guide sheets are available in German, Japanese and Mandarin
  • They have a range of hot and cold refreshments and light snacks available for purchase on board. There is an option to pre-order a picnic lunch for $16pp (NB: pre-orders must be received by 6pm the day before travel. Alternatively bring a packed lunch). Lunch available on afternoon (PM) tours only. All options come with a hot or cold non alcoholic drink
  • If on the day of your cruise weather conditions are poor you can cancel prior to departure and receive a full refund OR choose to cruise another day
  • In the unlikely event we are unsuccessful in viewing dolphins or whales on your trip, we will offer you a 'go again for free' voucher for another dolphin cruise (Subject to availability)

Booking Information

  • Confirmation in the form of a tour voucher will be received at time of booking
  • Upon completion of purchase, please print the voucher and present on day of the experience
  • Availability was accurate at the time of booking however, is subject to change due to circumstances out of our control
  • Offers and inclusions are subject to change without notice
  • We strongly suggest reconfirming your booking with the tour operator within 48 hours of making your booking and prior to making other travel arrangements
  • For your information, complete Tour Operator Information including contact details is included on your tour voucher
  • The operator reserves the right to update their rates without notice
4.6 out of 5 stars
5 stars 63% (7)
4 stars 37% (4)
3 stars 0% (0)
2 stars 0% (0)
1 star 0% (0)
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Michael Howell 4 years ago
The Hole in the Rock cruise was amazing the captain and staff were amazing and very helpful, it was very easy to get on and off the boat and seating was comfortable. The dolphins swimming around the boat was amazing and going thru the hole with our size of the boat was awesome highly recommend this trip.
It was a nice cruise

It was a nice cruise. I wish we would have gone through the Hole in the Rock but apparently the weather was not good enough for us the ship to go through. The crew was nice. Unfortunately, in our case we could not see whales (they told us we could repeat for free but I had to leave that day).

Pablo Roberto Glaz 4 years ago
The Hole in the Rock cruise was amazing the captain and staff were amazing and very helpful

The Hole in the Rock cruise was amazing the captain and staff were amazing and very helpful, it was very easy to get on and off the boat and seating was comfortable. The dolphins swimming around the boat was amazing and going thru the hole with our size of the boat was awesome highly recommend this trip.

Michael Howell 4 years ago
It was an amazing cruise

It was an amazing cruise. The tour guide had all of us engaged. Saw tons of dolphins at various places. We also managed to get through how which was a satisfying experience. We hopped off at Russell and had a walk around. Took the complimentary ferry back to Paihia. It was a great trip overall.

Neha Jain 5 years ago
Great day seeing the Bay of Islands and the hole in the rock

Great day seeing the Bay of Islands and the hole in the rock. Didn’t get to go through it as the sea was too rough but that was pretty cool seeing it. Didn’t see any dolphins which was disappointing. We decided to stop off at Russel Bay and the company gave us free ferry tickets back to Paihia. Russel Bay viewpoint is a must!

Charlie Mola 5 years ago
Very good trip

Very good trip. Wonderful trip. We are very happy with this three hours tour. Cruise driver concerned about safety to pass the rock hole. No one complains about it and thankfully for safety trip. He tried the best to let everyone to see the wild dolphins. We all saw some dolphins swim. Also, he turned the boat on each side to let us take photos. Very nice!

Shinan Chang 5 years ago
The ship was late beginning the tendering process because of thick fog and our trip was booked for early morning

The ship was late beginning the tendering process because of thick fog and our trip was booked for early morning. In the event, this was too late for our cruise booking. There was a bit of a misunderstanding as to where your office was as it was not where the tender landed but a local gentleman informed us that we needed a shuttle bus ride into Paihia to find you. However, all was OK once we found the representative at the office, and, although our trip was gone the firm scheduled a separate trip for the afternoon especially for the cruise ship passengers. This was also tailored down to three hours rather than the normal four hours so that the cruise passengers would be back in time for embarkation prior to departure. The trip itself was fantastic. The lady skipper was extremely informative she also found the dolphins and sailed the boat through the hole in the rock beautifully. I would thoroughly recommend this cruise and it was suitably fitting for the last port of call we had in beautiful New Zealand.

Jenifer Roberts 7 years ago
Great trip although weather prevented us from reaching the hole in the rock and cruise operators chose not to inform us until we were all on board then gave an option of rebooking or cancelling

Great trip although weather prevented us from reaching the hole in the rock and cruise operators chose not to inform us until we were all on board then gave an option of rebooking or cancelling. Taken to an island instead and thoroughly enjoyed time to walk and take in the views. Saw playful dolphins and found the whole trip very enjoyable.

Lynda Conlons 8 years ago
This was an outstanding attraction but the staff and boat crew at Bay of Islands were the best

This was an outstanding attraction but the staff and boat crew at Bay of Islands were the best. We were delayed (our own fault) in getting off the cruise ship and missed the departure time for the tour. But the staff on the ground went to extraordinary lengths to make sure we got on our excursion. Not only did we have a great day cruising the Bay of Islands but the staff were so friendly and helpful we would have been satisfied even if we missed the tour. The way you accommodated our bad timing was 1st class.

Michael Dowdy 9 years ago
Fantastic 1/2 day aboard the "Dolphin Seeker"

Fantastic 1/2 day aboard the "Dolphin Seeker". Great captain and crew. The weather was also one of those stunning day's. We enjoyed the dolphin sighting and the captain's commentary was spot on. Also appreciated the obvious care and concern for these creatures that he displayed. Then off through the bay of islands to Piercy Island and the Hole in the Rock. Fantastic trip and again with safety the biggest issue the captain took us up close to the hole. The stopover at Urupukapuka on the way back was great. We also enjoyed the chance to get off and look around the town of Russell before catching the ferry back to Paihia. Would highly recommend this trip to anyone wanting to experience the Bay of Islands.

Neale Stuart 1 decade ago
Four of us went on the Bay of Islands-Hole in the Rock 4 hr cruise

Four of us went on the Bay of Islands-Hole in the Rock 4 hr cruise. We had booked through Experience Oz and all went very smoothly. When we confirmed the time of our cruise the day before, we were even offered a shuttle pick up which was great. Our Captain was friendly and very informative. The weather was sunny and warm; the Bay of Islands spectacular. Unfortunately, the sea was too rough, for us to go through the Hole in the Rock but the Captain maneuvered the boat very close and we took some great photos. We also thoroughly enjoyed our island stop over. All in all a very memorable and happy day.

Sandra 1 decade ago
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Keep an eye out for common and bottlenose dolphins, whales and other marine life during your cruise, and have your camera ready as we get you up close to the action.
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