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Discover the Bay - Hole in the Rock Cruise including Lunch

Highlights

View various marine wildlife enjoying their natural habitat
High Success rate for marine mammal viewing
Stop off for your included buffet lunch at the stunning Otehei Bay Urupukapuka Island
Free time to explore the Island or have a swim
Fully licenced bar on board

Both stunningly beautiful and historically significant, this spectacular haven draws visitors from around the world, showcasing the breathtaking beauty of the Bay of Islands and its diverse wildlife in their natural surroundings.

Sit back and relax as we cruise among the 144 islands with the skipper's expert commentary, including a visit to the famous Hole in the Rock and when conditions allow, travel through it!

Our trips boast a high success rate for wildlife viewing and is your best chance to encounter these amazing mammals, as we are one of only 2 operators with a marine mammal permit!

We will also stop off for a buffet lunch at the stunning Otehei Bay Urupukapuka Island which is considered by some as the most beautiful island within the Bay. Here you will have some free time to swim, explore or relax with a drink from our licensed beachfront bar.

Location: Paihia, Bay Of Islands.

Adult - 10am $180.00 (Aged 16+)

Child - 10am $90.00 (Aged 5 - 15 years)

Infant $0.00 (0 - 4 years)

Adult $160.00 (Aged 16+)

Child $80.00 (Aged 5 - 15 years)

What's included

3 hours scenic cruising
Delicious buffet lunch at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island
Get up close to Cape Brett and travel through the Hole in the Rock - when conditions permit
1 - 1.5 hour stop at Otehei Bay, Urupukapuka Island

Duration

4.5 - 5 hours total

Location

Child Friendly

This experience welcomes families with children.

Bad Weather Refunds

If your experience is cancelled by the operator (because of the bad weather, safety concerns, unscheduled maintenance etc) you will be entitled to a full refund.

Notes

From 1st December 2024, the 10am departure includes Island Buffet lunch.

Check In:
Paihia Departure: Please check in at the Fullers GreatSights / Explore office in the Maritime building at least 15 minutes before departure.
Russell Departure: Please check in directly to the vessel at departure time at the end of the Russell Wharf.
Please note we code share with Fullers Great Sights please look out for either a Explore or Fullers Great Sights Branded vessel at your boarding time
Departure Times: Booking times are ex Paihia. Departures from Russell are 10 minutes later.
Child price applies to ages 5 to 15 years. Children under 5 years travel free.
Discounted bookings are Non Transferable and Non refundable.

Available Bookings from 22 Mar to 4 Apr 2025

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Change Dates

10am ex Paihia

Sat 22 Mar

Sun 23 Mar

Mon 24 Mar

Tue 25 Mar

Wed 26 Mar

Thu 27 Mar

Fri 28 Mar

Sat 29 Mar

Sun 30 Mar

Mon 31 Mar

Tue 1 Apr

Wed 2 Apr

Thu 3 Apr

Fri 4 Apr

Adult - 10am$162.00 Less than 6 at this price!
Child - 10am$81.00
Infant Free of Charge

Adult - 10am$135.00 Less than 6 at this price!
Child - 10am$81.00
Infant Free of Charge

Adult - 10am$135.00 Less than 6 at this price!
Child - 10am$81.00
Infant Free of Charge

Adult - 10am$135.00 Less than 6 at this price!
Child - 10am$81.00
Infant Free of Charge

Adult - 10am$135.00 Less than 6 at this price!
Child - 10am$81.00
Infant Free of Charge

Adult - 10am$144.00 Less than 6 at this price!
Child - 10am$81.00
Infant Free of Charge

Adult - 10am$135.00 Less than 6 at this price!
Child - 10am$81.00
Infant Free of Charge

Adult - 10am$135.00 Less than 6 at this price!
Child - 10am$81.00
Infant Free of Charge

Adult - 10am$135.00 Less than 6 at this price!
Child - 10am$81.00
Infant Free of Charge

Adult - 10am$135.00 Less than 6 at this price!
Child - 10am$81.00
Infant Free of Charge

Adult - 10am$135.00 Less than 6 at this price!
Child - 10am$81.00
Infant Free of Charge

Adult - 10am$135.00 Less than 6 at this price!
Child - 10am$81.00
Infant Free of Charge

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Authenticated Reviews & Photos All of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

5 Stars

994

4 Stars

163

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Stars

4.7

1230 reviews

Discover the Bay - Hole in the Rock Cruise including Lunch

Showing all 1230 authenticated Bookme reviews

Sarah from New Zealand wrote on 17 March 2025

Hole in tge rock

Amazing Weather saw dolphins, seal, going through the hole was amazing not once but twice, the weather was perfect today. BUFFET lunch was okay, meat a little tasteless Wonderful view to sit for lunch So hot so didn't go for a walk

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inesn from New Zealand wrote on 16 March 2025

AMAZING

We had the best experience! Weather was perfect. We're able to go through the Hole in the Rock. Lunch was plenty and yummy. Blair the skipper provided us with interesting facts. 100% recommend!!!

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kjm from Canada wrote on 15 March 2025

Fantastic Day on the water

Wonderful boat cruise in the Bay of Islands! The Hole in the Rock, the cave, the rock formations, the history lesson, beautiful shore lunch and then seeing the dolphins swim and jump around the boat was a perfect day. Highly recommend!

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Joanna Wang from New Zealand wrote on 17 March 2025

Great boating experience, bad buffet

The boating experience was a 10/10!!! Buffet not so much. But the island where the restaurant was at was lovely. I’d recommend this experience, but check the discount pricing against the actual full price on their website.

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Terrence Riley from New Zealand wrote on 15 March 2025

Top day

Excellent day, great captain, awesome experience around all the islands and the Drive though of Hole in the Rock Island. Good lunch and opportunity to walk 40 minutes on Urupukapuka Island and the grand finali, we found the pod of dolphens in the middle of the harbour.

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Bookme Help Terms & Conditions Operators

10:00 a.m.Thursday 13 July

Adult - 10am Aged 16+

Child - 10am Aged 5 - 15 years

Infant 0 - 4 years

Adult Aged 16+

Child Aged 5 - 15 years

^*This option must be made together with another price type.

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