Bay of Islands: Hole in the Rock Cruise & Island Stop

Summary

Cruise to hole in the rock dolphins island walk lunch stop

You’ll ride out from Paihia with a local skipper guide across Ipipiri’s bright waters, spot wild dolphins if you’re lucky, and pause for lunch or a swim at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island. Take an easy walk up for sweeping views or just sink into a bean bag by the beach café. This isn’t just sightseeing — it’s a day full of small moments you’ll want to replay later.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered if dolphins really swim alongside boats here, or is that just something people say? We found out for ourselves on this Bay of Islands cruise — and yeah, they do. The boat left Paihia mid-morning (not too early, thankfully), and I remember the salty air hitting my face as we pushed off. Our skipper, Pete, started pointing out Māori names for each little island — I tried repeating one and totally mangled it. Pete just grinned and kept going, telling us stories about Ipipiri’s 144 islands. The water was glassy in some spots and then suddenly choppy, which made my coffee slosh everywhere. Dolphins showed up not long after — not staged or anything, just there, weaving through the wake. I still think about how quiet everyone got when they surfaced.

We stopped at Urupukapuka Island for about 90 minutes — Otehei Bay is where you land. It’s got this kind of laid-back picnic vibe; some people went straight for the café (the fish burger smelled so good), while others wandered off barefoot toward the hills. There’s a walking trail that climbs up to these lookout points — not hard but enough to get your heart going a bit. At the top, you can see all those green islands scattered below like someone dropped marbles into the sea. I sat on a sun-warmed rock for a while just watching boats drift by. Didn’t expect to feel so calm up there.

On the way back, Pete slowed down near some rocky outcrops and told us about old shipwrecks and why that archway is called Hole in the Rock (it’s obvious when you see it). A couple of kids on board kept daring each other to spot seals — didn’t see any this time, but honestly I was happy just listening to Pete’s stories and letting the wind mess up my hair again. The cruise ended back at Paihia with everyone a bit sun-flushed and sandy-footed. Not sure what I expected from a “Hole in the Rock cruise,” but it was less about ticking off sights and more about small moments: salt on my lips, laughter from strangers, that kind of thing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Bay of Islands cruise and island stop

• Cruise through inner islands
• Listen to skipper's commentary
• Visit Hole in the Rock
• Stop 90 minutes at Otehei Bay
• Eat or drink at island café
• Swim off the beach
• Walk to hilltop viewpoints
• Relax on outdoor bean bags

Top questions

How long does the Hole in the Rock cruise take?

The tour is a half-day cruise with around 90 minutes spent on Urupukapuka Island at Otehei Bay.

Is dolphin watching guaranteed on this Bay of Islands cruise?

Dolphin sightings are common but not guaranteed since they are wild animals.

Can you swim during the tour?

Yes, you can swim off the beach at Otehei Bay during your island stopover.

Is lunch included on Urupukapuka Island?

No lunch is included, but there is an island café where you can buy meals or drinks during your stop.

Is this cruise suitable for children or families?

Yes, it’s suitable for all fitness levels and ideal for children; swimming is safe at Otehei Bay.

Are wheelchairs or strollers allowed?

The tour is wheelchair accessible and infants or small children can use prams or strollers onboard.

Where does the cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Paihia in the Bay of Islands region.

Do you get off at Hole in the Rock itself?

No, you don’t disembark at Hole in the Rock; you view it from aboard as part of the scenic route.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup by air-conditioned vehicle from Paihia, guided commentary from your local skipper as you cruise through Ipipiri’s islands toward Hole in the Rock, a 90-minute stopover at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island with time to eat at the café or swim off the beach before returning comfortably to shore.