Dolphins And Island Cruise

Paihia/Russell: Hole in the Rock, Dolphins & Island Cruise

★ 4.6 902 reviews

from $90 per person

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Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
Meeting point: Paihia or Russell
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Run by: Explore Group New Zealand

Overview

This cruise puts the Bay of Islands' two headline acts into a single half-day outing: a run out to Motukōkako, the sea arch better known as the Hole in the Rock, and a proper island stop in between. The boat departs from Paihia or Russell, depending on the option booked, and spends about 4.5 hours working through the bay's islands toward Cape Brett and Piercy Island. Along the way, the crew gives commentary on the history and landmarks of the coast.

The wildlife element is real but not guaranteed. Explore Group holds a Department of Conservation licence to view marine mammals. Reviewers regularly report dolphin sightings on this trip, sometimes with animals leaping close to the vessel.

The middle stretch of the day is spent at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island, with a 1.5-hour stopover for swimming, walking or simply sitting on the beach. Food and drinks are not included, but there is a licensed cafe on board and a cafe and bar at Otehei Bay, so lunch is easy to arrange. Note that the meeting point depends on the option selected, and hotel pickup is not part of the package.

Where this tour sits among 7 tours in Dolphin And Hole In The Rock Cruises listed here (from-price per person, USD)

3-Hour Hole in the Rock Cruise$88.87
Dolphins and Island Cruise (this tour)$90
Eco Cruise, Marine Wildlife Focus$97.47
Cruise with 2 Island Stops$101
Island Getaway 4.5-Hour Day Cruise$101
Dolphin Cruise, Island Lunch Included$121
Carino 6-Hour Wildlife Cruise, Lunch$131.87

What's Included

Included

Tour guide and knowledgeable crew
Cruise on a purpose-built vessel
Urupukapuka Island stop
Visit Motukōkako (The Hole in the Rock)

Not Included

Food and drinks (available for purchase onboard)

Itinerary

Meet at Paihia or RussellThe meeting point depends on the option selected, so confirm the correct departure wharf on the booking page.
Board the catamaranBoard a purpose-built vessel with indoor and outdoor seating and large viewing decks, and set out across the bay with crew commentary.
The Hole in the RockCruise along the Rakaumangamanga Peninsula to Cape Brett, where a historic lighthouse watches over Piercy Island, also known as Motukōkako or the Hole in the Rock. The crew keeps watch for dolphins, whales and other marine wildlife along the way.
Urupukapuka Island stopSpend a 1.5-hour stopover at Otehei Bay with free time to swim, walk or relax. Food and drinks at the island cafe are at your own cost.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape how this day goes, from sea conditions to what to pack and how to spend the island stop.

Cruise boat with bottlenose dolphins near the Hole in the Rock arch at Cape Brett in the Bay of Islands.

Bring layers. The operator recommends a jacket, sunglasses, a sun hat and biodegradable sunscreen. A warm layer earns its place even on a fine day.
Wildlife is likely, not certain. Many reviewers reported dolphins, sometimes swimming and flipping alongside the boat, but others saw none.
Island time is yours. The Urupukapuka stop lasts 1.5 hours and is unstructured. Reviewers used it for walking, swimming and lunch at the Otehei Bay cafe, so plan roughly what you want beforehand since the window is limited.
Food costs extra. Snacks, hot and cold drinks and a licensed bar are available for purchase on board, and the island cafe serves a full menu. Nothing edible is included in the ticket, so plan for lunch separately.
Good with kids. A family with children aged 10 and 11 described the trip as a hit with the kids, crediting the captain's storytelling. Indoor and outdoor seating gives families room to settle in on a longer ride.

Ready To BookCheck availability →

Common issues. The main disappointment is the possibility of no dolphin or whale sightings, which some reviewers flagged as a gap in expectations; clearer messaging on wildlife odds would help, as one summarised review put it. Food and drinks are an extra cost throughout, and no hotel pickup is provided, so travellers must make their own way to the correct wharf for the option booked.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Ticket?

The cruise on a purpose-built vessel, the guide and crew, the Urupukapuka Island stop and the visit to Motukōkako, the Hole in the Rock. Food and drinks are not included but can be purchased on board and at the island cafe.

How Long Is The Tour And Where Does It Start?

It runs about 4.5 hours. There are three meeting points, and which one applies depends on the option selected, so check the booking page before setting out. Hotel pickup is not included.

Will We Definitely See Dolphins?

No. The operator is licensed by the Department of Conservation to view marine mammals, including bottlenose dolphins, and many travellers do spot them, but sightings depend on the day and are not guaranteed.

Is There Food On Board?

Yes, but at your own expense. A licensed small cafe on board sells hot and cold refreshments and snacks, and the fully licensed Otehei Bay Cafe and Bar serves food during the island stopover.

Is The Tour Suitable For Children?

Reviewers have taken the trip with children around 10 and 11 years old and described them loving it. The boat has indoor and outdoor seating, and the island stop includes swimming and walking options that suit families.

What Should I Bring And What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, a waterproof camera, biodegradable sunscreen and a jacket. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.