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Dolphin Eco Cruise

Highlights

Enjoy a scenic cruise, with views of the incredible dolphins and marine life
Learn about Project Island Song’s ecological restoration programme
Stop at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island for lunch
Friendly and knowledgeable hosts will make sure you get the most out of the experience
Marine mammal viewing Guarantee (12 months )

Cruise the sheltered waters of the Bay of Islands and discover whales, dolphins, seals, birdlife and more on this spectacular dolphin eco cruise!

Enjoy a stop at Otehei Bay on the Department of Conservation’s recreation reserve Urupukapuka Island, where you will learn about the natural ecosystems being restored as part of the Project Island Song programme including revegetation, native species reintroduction, education and biosecurity.

Explore the island via the established tracks and spot reintroduced native wildlife including tīeke (North Island saddleback), toutouwai (North Island robin), pāteke (brown teal), Wētāpunga (giant wētā) and more.

Make the most of the day with the opportunity to snorkel and swim, if conditions permit, or enjoy a bite to eat in the sun and relax at the fully licensed café at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island.

Adult $160.00

Child $80.00 (5-15 years old)

Infant $0.00 (0 - 4 years)

What's included

4 hours of scenic cruising with wildlife spotting
1.5 hours at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island
Opportunity to snorkel/swim (conditions permitting)

Duration

Allow approx. 5.5 hours for the whole experience

Location

Paihia Wharf, Bay of Islands

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

Children under 5 years old are free but must be booked - please put in notes that a infant is traveling .
Please note the opportunity to swim/snorkel does not include swimming with dolphins due to restrictions on marine mammal interactions.
Explore has a license permitting marine mammal viewing during this experience.
This cruise does not include lunch, however light snacks and drinks are available for purchase onboard. Lunch is available to purchase from the fully licensed caf at Otehei Bay during your island stop.

Available Bookings from 26 Dec to 8 Jan 2025

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Change Dates

11:30am

Thu 26 Dec

Fri 27 Dec

Sat 28 Dec

Sun 29 Dec

Mon 30 Dec

Tue 31 Dec

Wed 1 Jan

Thu 2 Jan

Fri 3 Jan

Sat 4 Jan

Sun 5 Jan

Mon 6 Jan

Tue 7 Jan

Wed 8 Jan

Adult$120.00 Less than 6 at this price!
Child$72.00
Infant Free of Charge

Adult$96.00 Less than 6 at this price!
Child$72.00
Infant Free of Charge

Adult$96.00 Less than 6 at this price!
Child$72.00
Infant Free of Charge

Adult$120.00 Less than 6 at this price!
Child$72.00
Infant Free of Charge

Adult$96.00 Less than 6 at this price!
Child$72.00
Infant Free of Charge

Adult$96.00 Less than 6 at this price!
Child$72.00
Infant Free of Charge

Adult$96.00 Less than 6 at this price!
Child$72.00
Infant Free of Charge

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Amazing seeing dolphins in their natural habitat.

Overall nice experience without seeing dolphins

1 / 49

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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

150

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Stars

4.3

254 reviews

Dolphin Eco Cruise

Showing all 254 authenticated Bookme reviews

flora55 from New Zealand wrote on 15 January 2023

Lovely day cruise

Friendly and competent staff, great tour, unfortunately no dolphins or whales.

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Anna Koop from New Zealand wrote on 28 October 2022

Beautiful trip

Well organised, beautiful beach, had a quick swim. Relaxed boat trip looking for marine mammals with great information about the area and animals. Spotted dolphins. Extra plus that sunscreen was provided!

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Robin from United Kingdom wrote on 13 March 2020

VIP PACKAGE!!!

We boarded the boat at Russel wharf and were told that we were the only ones on the dolphin cruise. We were so glad that the crew went ahead with the trip, instead of cancelling due to low ticket sales. We were treated like VIPs, the crew interaction was brilliant and their marine biology knowledge was faultless. Their knowledge of the waterways and islands was really impressive and they took us to some particularly beautiful areas of the Bay of Islands. Our captain located a pod of really playful dolphins and after she cut the boat's engines they played in the waters surrounding the boat. The captain then declared that we had stayed for the Department of Conservation recommended time scale and we set off again. We were then treated to a nature walk where we saw fantails, saddlebacks and a few cheeky tuis. Amazing day, would highly recommend this experience

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sweta from New Zealand wrote on 14 November 2022

very bad experience

we hardly seen 4-5 dolphin for few seconds and that's all in 4.5 hours journey. it's not worth to money and time. specially with kids I do not recommend. boat as too small to go to kid sea and you barley stand because waves and boat is rock and roll.

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Kumar from New Zealand wrote on 03 May 2019

Dolphin Discovery in Paihia

Awsome experience

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Bookme Help Terms & Conditions Operators

10:00 a.m.Thursday 13 July

Adult

Child 5-15 years old

Infant 0 - 4 years

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

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