Hole in the Rock Cruise & Bay of Islands Tour: 144 Islands

Cruise past 144 islands and walk a remote island lookout in three hours

A 3-hour scenic boat cruise from Paihia through the Bay of Islands, visiting the Hole in the Rock geological formation at Cape Brett and stopping on Roberton Island for a short walk to panoramic viewpoints. The tour includes live guide commentary, wildlife spotting, and cruising among 144 subtropical islands in a group of no more than 49 passengers. The Hole in the Rock section is weather dependent; if conditions don't allow, the boat takes an alternative route through the sheltered inner islands instead.

Step-by-step itinerary

Bay of Islands cruise and island tour

• Check in at Pier 10, Paihia wharf
• Scenic cruise among 144 islands
• Stopover on Motuarohia Island
• Walk to island lookout viewpoint
• Cruise to Hole in the Rock
• View Cape Brett Lighthouse

The Experience

How do you fit the Bay of Islands into a morning without renting a car or booking a full day? This cruise leaves Pier 10 on the Paihia wharf 15 minutes after you check in, and the boat heads straight out into the 144 subtropical islands that fill the bay. The route passes through open water and sheltered coves, with the crew pointing out native seabirds and marine life as you go. The whole thing runs three hours, so you're back on the wharf by early afternoon.

The centerpiece is the Hole in the Rock itself—Motu Kokako, a rock formation at the end of Cape Brett Peninsula with a perfectly round hole carved through the middle by wind and water over thousands of years. The boat passes through it (or as close as the day's conditions allow), and you also see the Cape Brett Lighthouse from the water. If weather makes the outer route unsafe, the captain takes you through the sheltered inner islands instead, so the tour still happens either way.

The other stop is Roberton Island, where you get off the boat for a short walk up to the island lookout. From there you get 360-degree views over the Twin Lagoons and the whole bay. It's a native bush walk, not a long hike, and the crew stays with the group to explain what you're looking at. Groups stay under 50 people, so it doesn't feel crowded even when the boat is full. A live guide in English provides commentary throughout the day.

What’s included

• Scenic cruise through 144 subtropical islands.
• visit to the Hole in the Rock and Cape Brett Lighthouse.
• remote island stopover on Roberton Island with a short walk to the lookout point.
• live guide commentary and wildlife spotting throughout the day.
• groups limited to 49 passengers maximum.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Island Getaway Tours

Is this one for you?Most Bay of Islands tours either stick to the sheltered inner islands or demand a full day and a car. This one reaches the Hole in the Rock and a remote island in three hours from the Paihia wharf, so you get both the open-water geology and the island walk without the time commitment or the logistics.

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Top questions

What exactly is the Hole in the Rock, and will we definitely see it?

The Hole in the Rock is a natural rock formation at Cape Brett with a distinctive round hole carved through the middle by thousands of years of wind and water erosion. The boat passes through or near it, but the visit is weather dependent—if conditions aren't suitable on the day, the captain takes an alternative route through the sheltered inner islands instead, so you still get the full tour experience.

How long is the walk on Roberton Island?

The walk on Roberton Island to the lookout point is short, and it's a native bush trail rather than a strenuous hike. You'll reach a viewpoint with 360-degree views over the Twin Lagoons and the Bay of Islands. The crew walks with the group and provides information along the way.

Do I need to arrange my own way to Pier 10, or is there transport included?

You arrange your own transport to Pier 10 on the Paihia wharf, where you check in 15 minutes before departure. If you're arriving as a cruise ship passenger at Waitangi Wharf, the cruise line provides a free shuttle bus (about 5 minutes) that drops you at the Paihia Wharf next to Pier 10.

What wildlife might we see on this cruise?

The Bay of Islands is home to unique New Zealand seabirds and marine life. The crew keeps watch throughout the day and points out what appears—you're spotting from the boat as you cruise among the 144 islands and around the island stopover.

Is this tour suitable for families with young children?

Yes, the tour is suitable for families, couples and solo travellers of all ages. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. The boat is a scenic cruise with island stops, so there's no heavy physical demand, though the tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day?

If conditions aren't suitable to reach the Hole in the Rock, the boat takes an alternative scenic route through the sheltered inner islands instead. The tour still runs and includes the island stopover and all the other highlights—only the outer route changes.