Dolphin and Wildlife Cruise - Half Day

4.5
139
Your Half Day Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise begins as you’re welcomed aboard the Bay Explorer at the Tauranga waterfront!

Your Half Day Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise begins as you’re welcomed aboard the Bay Explorer at the Tauranga waterfront!

Highlights

  • A half day cruise on our spacious boat with 360° outdoor views from the largest open-air wildlife watching sun deck
  • Explore Tauranga’s amazing marine wildlife – penguins, seals, dolphins, whales, sunfish, school fish, seabirds, sharks and orca
  • Cold beer and chilled regional wine from our full licensed bar (Eftpos available)
  • Onboard commentary and references with facts on the Bay and local marine wildlife

We spend the morning exploring the pristine Bay of Plenty harbour and beyond, searching for marine wildlife which may include seabirds, penguins, seals, whales, sunfish, school fish, sharks, orca, and dolphins swimming along with our vessel. Our awesome Captain and crew will be pointing out all that they see so you won’t miss a thing!

Don’t forget your camera as we are able to get up close to wildlife, making it a photographer’s dream.

Your experienced Captain and crew will provide a fascinating commentary on the history, geography and culture of the area. They have knowledge of marine wildlife and personally share with you everything they observe. Books and references are on board to enhance your experience.

You will be back in Tauranga with enough time to explore our beautiful region! Don’t miss this premier Bay of Plenty half day dolphin and wildlife adventure!

Adult $175.00
Child $65.00 (6 -12 years)
Infant $25.00 (5 years and under)
Family $480.00 (2x Adults + 2x Children )

Duration

  • Allow approximately 6 hours for the whole experience

Location

  • Departure: Corner of Wharf Street & The Strand, Tauranga 3110

Child Friendly

  • This experience welcomes families with children.

Notes

  • CHECK-IN AND DEPARTURE: You must check-in at 8:30am (allow time in traffic and for parking). Departure is from The Strand, Tauranga daily at 9:00am returning between 1.00pm and 2.00pm.

    Parking available down The Strand water front down Dive Crescent We operate seven days a week weather permitting. Should weather conditions prohibit open ocean cruising, then we will postpone to another date, or offer a refund.


  • Child price applicable for ages 6-12 years. Infant is 5 years and under.

    Guests must please bring their own lunch or snacks. There is a fully licensed bar so you can chill out and soak up the atmosphere over a chilled regional wine or a refreshing beer. Non-alcoholic beverages are also available.

    This is a wildlife cruise, dolphin sightings are not guaranteed and no refunds will be given if there are no dolphin sightings.



Available Bookings from 23 Dec to 5 Jan 2025

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Change Dates
Mon 23 Dec
Tue 24 Dec
Wed 25 Dec
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

Bookings close in 40 minutes...

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant$25.00
  • Family $480.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant$25.00
  • Family $480.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant$25.00
  • Family $480.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant$25.00
  • Family $480.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant$25.00
  • Family $480.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant$25.00
  • Family $480.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant$25.00
  • Family $480.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant$25.00
  • Family $480.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant$25.00
  • Family $480.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant$25.00
  • Family $480.00

  • Adult$150.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant$25.00
  • Family $480.00
Very good day out What a day! Dolphin Cruise Seeing the dolphins was great Good view
1 / 50
appsShow all photos

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

4.5

139 reviews

Showing all 139 authenticated Bookme reviews

Elias Godehardt from Germany wrote on 06 November 2023

Toller Tag

Die Crew ist absolut freundlich und erzählt viel interessantes. Hatten leider das Pech keine Delphine oder Wale zu sehen aber die Bootsfahrt war dennoch sehr schön.

verifiedVerified purchase ios_shareShare link to review

alexanderh2 from Germany wrote on 06 February 2020

Do it

Fantastisches Ergebniss. Die Crew war super freundlich und hat ihr bestes gegeben.

verifiedVerified purchase ios_shareShare link to review

Emilia Wanner from Germany wrote on 04 February 2020

Traumhaft!

Die Tour war durch und durch ein Erfolg! Wir haben unglaublich viele Delphine und deren Babys, Haie,... gesehen und die Crew an Board war super nett und hilfsbereit. Sehr empfehlenswert, wir würden es immer wieder aufs Neue machen.

verifiedVerified purchase ios_shareShare link to review

dalem1 from New Zealand wrote on 16 January 2023

Desperately seeking dolphins

After a rope start feeling seasick ans not seeing anything for hours, we had the wonderful experience of seeing a huge pod of dolphins who were eager to please. Such an amazing experience. Massive thanks to Brandon and Josh who perservered and made our dream come true.

verifiedVerified purchase ios_shareShare link to review

richardw17 from New Zealand wrote on 16 February 2023

Shit experience

Absolute crap worst experience on a boat probably put my children off going on a boat for life, the skipper should never have gone out and we still haven't seen any wildlife really disappointed. Unfortunately I had to give 1 star to carry on

verifiedVerified purchase ios_shareShare link to review

From Dolphin and Wildlife Cruise - Half Day

Thanks but guess we need to clarify.. You did not listen to the crew, your experience ( as your children were seasick) is not a reflection of the skippers or the crew of the experience we offer. Firstly you are asked to take precautions such as motion sickness tablets or .wrist bands if you are susceptible to motion sickness. You did not prepare. We even offer sea sickness tablets on board for those that did not prepare or are unsure of their personal susceptibility ! You were briefed at check-in and at the crew briefing that the swell was only minimum ( .5 m yes that’s 500mm) but windy and would be bumpy) you then sat downstairs with the kids after being briefed to get air upstairs and watch the horizon if feeling unwell. Look we understand how having sea sick kids can be a tough time for a mum but we also ask for parents to take the time to prepare or skip to another day when cautioned of wind or wave action. It was safe and we never cruise without considering safety. Unfortunately different personal ability to deal with the foreign environment of the open ocean can lead to sea sickness but that is not something the crew can manage .. it’s an open ocean environment and the sea is very different and moving all the time.. We offered to take your family again but understand you are adamant that we are to blame as opposed to seeing our business as an opportunity to experience the ocean realm again and that again is your choice. We hope you get back out sometime some place and be prepared.. some people get motion seasickness on the calmest of days.. it’s nothing to do with age, race, body type etc.. All the best Bay Explorer crew

close

Booking

10:00 a.m.Thursday 13 July

12

Adult

Child 6 -12 years

Infant * 5 years and under

Family 2x Adults + 2x Children

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

Qualmark

When you see the Qualmark logo, your activity of choice is endorsed by New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation and backed by leaders in the industry. It's your trusted guide to iconic activities and experiences that are awarded for their exceptionally high level of quality, safety and sustainability.

Qualmark Gold

This award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand. It denotes exceptional customer experiences at the heart of everything the company does. This business is leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.

Qualmark Silver

This award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure the business's focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create genuine, constantly evolving and sustainable tourism experiences.

Qualmark Bronze

The Qualmark Bronze award recognizes a business that operates with a high level of professionalism, is mindful of its environmental impact, and is dedicated to putting customers first.

close

Review Photos

close

Property Photos

close

Where to?

Popular New Zealand Destinations

  • Fiji Islands - Viti Levu - Mamanucas
  • Cairns - Port Douglas
  • Queenstown - Southern Lakes - Fiordland
  • Whitsundays - Airlie Beach - Townsville
  • Rotorua - Taupo - Waitomo
  • Auckland - Waiheke Island - Warkworth
  • Melbourne
  • Sydney
  • West Coast - Glacier Country
  • K`gari (Fraser Island) - Hervey Bay - Town of 1770
  • Christchurch - Canterbury - Kaikoura
  • Gold Coast
  • Abel Tasman - Nelson - Picton
  • Northland - Bay of Islands
  • Noosa - Mooloolaba - Sunshine Coast
  • Dunedin - Coastal Otago - Oamaru
  • BOP - Tauranga - Maunganui - Whakatane
  • Perth & Western Australia
  • Greater Adelaide and Barossa Valley
  • Wellington - Wairarapa
  • Coromandel Peninsula - Great Barrier Island
  • Brisbane
  • Hamilton & Raglan - Waikato
  • Tasmania - Hobart and Surrounds
  • Gisborne - East Cape to Mahia
  • Hawkes Bay - Napier & Hastings
  • Canberra
  • Taranaki - New Plymouth
  • Manawatu - Whanganui to Masterton & Martinborough
  • Southland & Te Anau
close

Search

close

Bookme Lists

close

Ask a Question