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Top Things to Do in Bay of Islands

We compared all 45 experiences in Bay of Islands so you can choose in minutes: real prices, verified reviews and our editorial picks.

★4.8 45 experiences from NZ$ 40 ✓Free cancellation on most experiences

Must-do experiences

Paihia: Hole in the Rock Cruise & Island Snorkel
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Most booked
Paihia: Hole in the Rock Cruise & Island SnorkelCruise through 144 Bay of Islands with two island stops, snorkel, and sail through Hole in the Rock. 4.5 hours, small groups, gear included.
867 reviews
4.91★
Duration
4h 30m
start times · Every day
2
Live guide ENFree cancellationfromNZ$ 180per person
Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sailing: Hoist Sails, Lunch Included
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★Top rated
Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sailing: Hoist Sails, Lunch IncludedSail the Bay of Islands on the R. Tucker Thompson, a traditional tall ship where you help raise the sails and explore secluded beaches.
386 reviews
4.91★
Duration
5h 30m
start times · Every day
2
Live guide ENFree cancellationfromNZ$ 205per person
Bay of Islands Overnight Cruise Paihia: Snorkeling & Kayaking
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Best value
Bay of Islands Overnight Cruise Paihia: Snorkeling & KayakingThe Rock's overnight cruise in Bay of Islands includes snorkeling, night kayaking, seafood collection and meals. 22 hours from Paihia Wharf, shared cabin, small groups.
461 reviews
4.88★
Duration
22h
Every day except Friday and Saturday
17:00
Live guide ENFree cancellationfromNZ$ 398per person

Recommended (7)

Bay of Islands Glow Worm Caves & Shore Tour from Waitangi Wharf
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Travelers' pick
Bay of Islands Glow Worm Caves & Shore Tour from Waitangi Wharf
365 reviews
4.53★
Duration
5h 30m
fromNZ$ 245per person
Waitangi Treaty Grounds: Museum & Māori Performance Day Pass
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Travelers' pick
Waitangi Treaty Grounds: Museum & Māori Performance Day Pass
355 reviews
4.66★
Duration
1d–2d
fromNZ$ 78per person
Paihia Bay of Islands: 6-Hour Catamaran Cruise & Island Snorkel
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Travelers' pick
Paihia Bay of Islands: 6-Hour Catamaran Cruise & Island Snorkel
321 reviews
4.96★
Duration
6h
fromNZ$ 245per person
Bay of Islands: Hole in the Rock Cruise & Island BBQ Lunch
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Travelers' pick
Bay of Islands: Hole in the Rock Cruise & Island BBQ Lunch
288 reviews
4.55★
Duration
4h 30m
fromNZ$ 215per person
Paihia: Hole in the Rock Cruise & Dolphins Bay of Islands
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Travelers' pick
Paihia: Hole in the Rock Cruise & Dolphins Bay of Islands
268 reviews
4.55★
Duration
4h 30m
fromNZ$ 180per person
Cape Reinga & 90 Mile Beach: Full-Day Far North Tour from Paihia
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Travelers' pick
Cape Reinga & 90 Mile Beach: Full-Day Far North Tour from Paihia
263 reviews
4.57★
Duration
10h–11h
fromNZ$ 225per person
Bay of Islands: Small-Group Sailing & Island Hopping Day Tour
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Bay of Islands: Small-Group Sailing & Island Hopping Day Tour
232 reviews
4.91★
Duration
5h 30m
fromNZ$ 205per person

Top rated (9)

Bay of Islands Catamaran Sailing & Island Stop from Paihia
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Travelers' pick
Bay of Islands Catamaran Sailing & Island Stop from PaihiaSail the Bay of Islands on a 19-person catamaran with 2-hour island stop, snorkelling, paddleboarding & catered lunch. 6 hours from Paihia.
110 reviews
4.99★
Duration
6h
Every day
09:30
Free cancellationfromNZ$ 215per person
Phantom Sailing Bay of Islands: Small group yacht tour with lunch
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Phantom Sailing Bay of Islands: Small group yacht tour with lunchSail the Bay of Islands on a live-aboard yacht with a maximum of 10 guests, stopping to hike and snorkel while your hosts share 20 years of sailing.
183 reviews
4.95★
Duration
5h 30m
Every day
10:00
Live guide EN · ESfromNZ$ 195per person
Cape Reinga Half-Day Tour: Scenic Flight & Driving Tour
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Likely to sell out
Cape Reinga Half-Day Tour: Scenic Flight & Driving TourFour and a half hours combining scenic flight over Ninety Mile Beach and guided driving tour to Cape Reinga lighthouse where two seas meet. Hotel pickup included from Paihia.
146 reviews
4.95★
Duration
4h 30m
start times · Every day
2
Live guide ENPickup optionalInstant confirmationfromNZ$ 559per person
V8 Chev Trike Tour Paihia: 60-Minute Bay of Islands Ride
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V8 Chev Trike Tour Paihia: 60-Minute Bay of Islands RideRide a V8 350 Chev Trike through Paihia and the Bay of Islands for 60 minutes with a local guide, visiting Opua, Haruru Falls and Waitangi Lookout.
180 reviews
4.91★
Duration
1h
start times · Every day except Monday and Thursday
6
Live guide ENFree cancellationfromNZ$ 235per person
Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sailing Haul the Rigging Tour
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Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sailing Haul the Rigging TourSail the Bay of Islands inner harbour on the R. Tucker Thompson tall ship with light food included: haul rigging, take the helm, or relax with a drink as the sails fill.
111 reviews
4.89★
Duration
1h 50m
start times · Every day
2
Live guide ENFree cancellationfromNZ$ 110per person
Helicopter tours in Paihia: Land on Hole in the Rock
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Helicopter tours in Paihia: Land on Hole in the RockScenic helicopter tour over Bay of Islands and Hole in the Rock from Paihia with pilot commentary. Option to land on the rock itself. Minimum 2 passengers.
128 reviews
4.88★
Duration
20m
Every dayLive guide ENInstant confirmationfromNZ$ 354per person
Parasailing Bay of Islands: 1300ft towline, all ages
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Parasailing Bay of Islands: 1300ft towline, all agesParasail 1,300 feet above the Bay of Islands with views of Russell, the outer islands and the Hole in the Rock.
124 reviews
4.81★
Duration
1h 30m
start times · Every day
3
Live guide ENFree cancellationfromNZ$ 169per person
Māori Cultural Experience & Hāngī Dinner: Waitangi Treaty Grounds
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Māori Cultural Experience & Hāngī Dinner: Waitangi Treaty GroundsSpend an evening at Waitangi Treaty Grounds enjoying a traditional hāngī dinner, live cultural performance by Te Pitowhenua.
138 reviews
4.78★
Duration
1d–2d
Tue, Thu and Sat
17:30
Live guide ENFree cancellationfromNZ$ 199per person
Kawiti Glow Worm Cave Tour & Opua Forest Walk: Bay of Islands
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Likely to sell out
Kawiti Glow Worm Cave Tour & Opua Forest Walk: Bay of IslandsFour hours from Waitangi wharf or Paihia: descend into Kawiti's limestone caves to see thousands of glow worms on the ceiling.
144 reviews
4.62★
Duration
4h
Every day except Monday and Thursday
09:30
Live guide EN · DEFree cancellationfromNZ$ 250per person

Lowest price (10)

Bay of Islands Mini Tour: Haruru Falls & Waitangi Visit
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Bay of Islands Mini Tour: Haruru Falls & Waitangi Visit75–90 minute tour from Paihia through the Bay of Islands with stops at Stone Church, Opua Bay, Haruru Waterfalls and Waitangi Lookout.
10 reviews
5.00★
Duration
1h 15m–1h 30m
start times · Every day
7
Live guide ENFree cancellationfromNZ$ 75per person
Mountain Bike Rental at Waitangi Park: Full & Half Day
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Mountain Bike Rental at Waitangi Park: Full & Half DayRent a full-suspension or electric mountain bike at Waitangi Mountain Bike Park in Paihia with helmet, map and park entry included.
25 reviews
4.96★
Duration
1h–10h
Every dayfromNZ$ 89per person
Kayaking & Paddleboarding in Bay of Islands: Waterfall
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Kayaking & Paddleboarding in Bay of Islands: WaterfallKayak and paddleboard through mangrove forests to a waterfall in Bay of Islands with a local guide. No experience needed, safety boat always on hand.
49 reviews
4.76★
Duration
2h 30m
Every day
13:00
Free cancellationfromNZ$ 98per person
Paihia Sundowner Sailing Cruise: 2-Hour Bay of Islands Sail
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Paihia Sundowner Sailing Cruise: 2-Hour Bay of Islands SailSail the Bay of Islands at golden hour from Paihia beach: board straight from the shoreline, swim in a sheltered anchorage.
32 reviews
4.97★
Duration
2h
Tue, Thu and Sat
17:00
Live guide ENFree cancellationfromNZ$ 99per person
Kayaking in Bay of Islands: Waterfall Explorer
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Kayaking in Bay of Islands: Waterfall ExplorerPaddle up the Waitangi River to a waterfall on a guided kayak in the Bay of Islands, with Maori history and local knowledge woven through the 2.5-hour.
68 reviews
4.57★
Duration
2h 30m
Every day
10:00
Live guide ENFree cancellationfromNZ$ 108per person
Bay of Islands scenic tour: Waitangi, Russell & Flagstaff Hill
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Bay of Islands scenic tour: Waitangi, Russell & Flagstaff HillBay of Islands tour from Paihia with guide, covering Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Haruru Falls, Russell, and Flagstaff Hill.
70 reviews
4.81★
Duration
3h 30m
Every day
10:00
Live guide ENPickup optionalFree cancellationfromNZ$ 109per person
30-Minute V8 Trike Ride Bay of Islands: Haruru Falls & Waitangi
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30-Minute V8 Trike Ride Bay of Islands: Haruru Falls & WaitangiRide a V8 Chev Trike for 30 minutes through Paihia to Haruru Falls and the Waitangi lookout with an experienced driver. Meet at the i-Site 5 minutes before departure.
82 reviews
4.91★
Duration
30m
Next departure: 1 Nov 2027Live guide ENFree cancellationfromNZ$ 129per person
Thriller Tour Bay of Islands: V8 Trike Rush through Paihia
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Thriller Tour Bay of Islands: V8 Trike Rush through PaihiaRide a V8-powered Trike from Paihia through native bush and valleys to Opua in 30 minutes with a live guide. Adrenaline-packed thrills and photo stops for thrill seekers.
25 reviews
5.00★
Duration
30m
start times · Every day except Monday and Thursday
6
Live guide ENFree cancellationfromNZ$ 129per person
Bay of Islands Cruise & Island Stopover Half-Day Tour - Paihia
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Travelers' pick
Bay of Islands Cruise & Island Stopover Half-Day Tour - PaihiaThree-hour Bay of Islands cruise from Paihia sails through the Hole in the Rock, stops at Roberton Island for a walk to the lookout.
56 reviews
4.93★
Duration
3h
start times · Every day
6
Live guide ENFree cancellationfromNZ$ 155per person
Bay of Islands Wine & Craft Beer Tour with Lunch
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Likely to sell out
Bay of Islands Wine & Craft Beer Tour with LunchTaste wine at Marsden Estate and Sovrano Estate, sample craft beer at PhatHouse Brewing Co., and eat lunch overlooking the vines in Kerikeri.
37 reviews
4.84★
Duration
4h
Fri and Sun
13:30
Live guide ENFree cancellationfromNZ$ 220per person
See all 45 tours →

Bay of Islands at a glance ✓ 2026-11-05

  • Most booked: Paihia: Hole in the Rock Cruise & Island Snorkel, NZ$ 180 (4h 30m, 4.91★ · 867).
  • Top rated: Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sailing: Hoist Sails, Lunch Included, NZ$ 205 (5h 30m, 4.91★ · 386).
  • Best value: Bay of Islands Overnight Cruise Paihia: Snorkeling & Kayaking, NZ$ 398 (22h, 4.88★ · 461).

Of the 45 experiences: 38 with free cancellation, 29 with instant confirmation, 9 with hotel pickup and 23 bookable last-minute.

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