We were lucky to get wonderful weather! It was a very pleasant cruise. The boat is smaller than the other tours so fewer people. We enjoyed seeing dolphins along the way. A big plus was a delicious barbecue lunch we had at an island after we went through hole in the rock. It was definitely one of our highlights of our time in New Zealand!

Our experience of the ‘Hole in the Rock Cruise’ is best summed up in one word - WOW! Andy and his crew made the entire experience fun, informative and exhilarating. The scenery is incredible and Andy’s commentary is excellent throughout. It was also wonderful to have opportunity to visit one of the islands and to be given enough time to explore and view the stunning scenery. We would thoroughly recommend this cruise to anyone visiting the wonderful Bay of Islands.

Was a beautiful experience. All the member are really nice and friendly. During the tour you will many explanations interesting about the islands, maori legend and wild life. The stop on Urupukapuka island is great for a walk before to come back. I really enjoyed this cruise.

We saw dolphins, whales, and seals. The Bay of Islands is stunning, the crew and commentary are awesome, the island stopover is lovely, we highly recommend this trip!!

hilarious and informative commentary and just an overall great half day trip. The bbq was great, it had lots of vegetarian options. Stunning views and getting to see the dolphins so close was awesome! Highly recommended.

It was such a lovely day with dolphins ;) our guides looked really knowledgeable about dolphins! Thank you!

Dolphins, penguins, hole in the rock, light house, and the stunning Otehei Bay, plus more all in one great tour - no big crowds on boat, great staff and perfect weather too ☺ could not wish for a better day - highly recommend Discover the Bay with explore!!!!

My group loved this activity. The boat ride around the Bay of Islands was amazing. We lazed in the sun and took in the stunning views all around. Then the excitement when our boat actually went through the Hole in the Rock. It was a perfect day of fun and relaxation with a little history of the area thrown in. Highly recommend this experience.

What a lovely way to spend half a day - boat trip, wander around the island and a swim and drink before pick-up - just idyllic.

Views were amazing and staff were so lovely. Would recommend

We thoroughly enjoyed the trip, great weather helped. Awesome trip around the Bay of Islands and out to the hole in the rock, couldn't go thru as waters too choppy, but great view anyway. Stop off at Otehei bay was a good break off the boat and much needed dip in the water. Saw plenty of dolphins. Totally recommend trip with Explore.

Awesome trip out. Had a funny captain with good commentary, saw dolphins playing and it was pretty neat that the crew knew so much about them and could identify individuals. The bbq lunch was pretty good and the options to extend your stay on either the island or at Russell would have been neat if I'd had the time. Thinking of making a repeat visit at some point, well worth the money.

So glad we booked this tour. Worth every dollar. The 3 crew looked after us extremely well, very knowledgeable. Sea was a bit choppy so decision was made not to go through the rock , did not spoil the trip and and safety is paramount. Seeing the wild bottle nose dolphins playing was amazing. Lovely lunch stop and spectacular views if you fancy a stroll up the hills, or take a towel and go for a swim , water was a little chilly but it is Autumn. If we get a chance to go back to the Bay would definitely go again

this was an well worth it experience definitely be going on this again next time with the children

Great expeeience with good commentary onboard and astounding scenery on the cruise including the famous hole in the rock and conditions permitting even going through it. Guaranteed chane of seeing marine mammals if not you get a voucher for another cruise.

Best skipper and crew ever!

We covered all tracks, beautiful sceneries and some were easy walks, very quiet and calm.while on the beaches, some were grey sand some were yellow, the ride was quick and comfortable, great to have a cafe to dine, drink and relax while waiting for our return trip. We're lucky to see some dolphins while cruising!

Enough time to do all hikes in 3hours.

It was an amazing trip, a little upsetting didn't get to see any marine mammals, overall would recommend it.

Very exciting adventure. Lucky to have amazing weather that enabled us to go through the stunning hole in the rock. All topped off with a surprise visit from dolphins.

Great cruise, loved that we could get off the boat and stay longer if we wanted at the island we had lunch. The free ferry ticket back to Russell was another lovely bonus. You can really make this a full day excursion. Would happily recommend.

Driver was excellent, it was a long way but he made the experience what it was Well worth a visit

What can you say about this beauty!. Beautiful day set the scene for a great day out on the water. Plus a big feed for lunch. Awesome day out on the water. Informative and hilarious boat crew, who made it a very entertaining day. Some awesome photo opportunities with dolphins. Definitely book it!!! Can't wait to do it again!!!

On a beautiful sunny calm day we took a cruise to The Hole in the Rock. Perfect from beginning to end, with good commentary and a stop at Otehei Bay with time for a walk, swim and snack. Although the sea was very calm the Captain was not happy to risk taking the boat through the hole. Was so nice just seeing the sea rise and fall. Many thanks for a great day.

Russell and Karen provide the perfect way to see the beautiful Bay of Islands. From the moment you join them on their yacht it feels like a relaxed day out with friends, who do all the sailing work so you can just relax ..or if you have the knowledge they are happy to let you take a turn at the sails. The food was simply delicious, great coffee and fresh danish when you board,a succulent lamb lunch was cooked to perfection and served with a yummy charred vegetable salad and crusty bread.You can BYO or they provide drinks and afternoon tea was a tasty treat of fresh blueberries waffles,and cream. We sailed through the beautiful turquoise waters saw dolphins, penguins and learnt a lot of interesting local history. We had time to swim and walk .. you can choose how to spend your time ... so much better than a being in a large group on a strict timetable. We had a wonderful day ,way beyond our expectations I would definitely recommend this cruise it was magical.

Value for money.

whole day was great. Crew was helpful and knew their stuff. Highlight was going through the home and lunch on the island

Highly recommended