15 Auckland Bay Cruises Worth Booking

1.Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 476 reviews · from $105Our pick

Board a 50-foot sailing yacht at Viaduct Harbour for a 2.5-hour evening cruise with a welcome drink, live commentary, and three-course dinner. See the Sky Tower, Harbour Bridge, Ferry Building, and Mt. Eden. Jackets and blankets are supplied, and you may help with the sails or take the wheel.

“What a beautiful way to see Auckland Harbor, and the city other than a sunset, cruise coming back into the harbor and you get to see some of the sunset colors against the backdrop of Auckland and the sky tower was beautiful”

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2.Scenic Harbour Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 369 reviews · 1h 30m · from $35

Join Fullers at Auckland’s Downtown Ferry Terminal for a 90-minute cruise across Waitemata Harbour. You’ll pass under the Harbour Bridge, see the Sky Tower and waterfront, and hear English commentary on Auckland’s maritime past. Choose an outdoor seat for photos, with indoor seating available when wind and rain arrive.

“It was a lovely cruise around the harbour. Very informative and clear commentary by the guide”

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3.Harbour Sailing Cruise with 3-Course Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 319 reviews · 2h 30m · from $95

Meet Explore Group at Viaduct Harbour for a 2.5-hour evening sail on a 50ft yacht. Enjoy a welcome drink, help steer if conditions allow, hear Auckland stories from the crew, and choose a main and dessert from a three-course meal by The Lula Inn.

“Was relaxing, food was great and activity was well beyond our expectations”

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4.Auckland Harbour Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 224 reviews · from $36

Cruise Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour from 107 Quay Street with live commentary, passing the Sky Tower, Harbour Bridge, Bean Rock Lighthouse, and Devonport Naval Base. Choose outdoor views or a comfortable indoor cabin, with snacks and drinks available to buy. The boat returns to the same quay.

“Great tour and great narration. If you're visiting Auckland, you need to do this. The Maritime Museum is right next door and is worth doing as well.”

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5.Auckland Harbour Sailing Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 79 reviews · from $68

Cruise from Viaduct Harbour for 90 minutes past Auckland Bridge, Westhaven Marina, Devonport, and the skyline. The crew provides tea, coffee, hot chocolate, a cookie, and weatherproof jackets. You may help with the sails or take the helm, with commentary from the captain and crew.

“This tour was everything I’d hoped for and more. It was laid back, comfortable, and so much fun. Our crew made sure we had fun and seemed to enjoy the experience as well. Many passengers got a turn at the wheel, which was really fun! The views of the harbor were breathtaking. It give the chance, I’d do it again tomorrow!”

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6.Full-Day Tour to the Bay of Islands

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 60 reviews · 12 hours · from $274

Travel north from Auckland in a Mercedes-Benz van with an English-speaking guide, then cruise from Paihia through the Bay of Islands. Watch for dolphins, pass through the Hole in the Rock when conditions allow, and spend time on Urupukapuka Island. Guides such as John, Nancy, Simon, and Raymond add local stories along the way.

“I liked being able to see Paihia and the hole in the rock. I would say the only downside about this tour is that you don't really have time to have a proper break between Auckland and Paihia because of restrictions regarding working hours of the guide. In that regard it was a bit stressful to find lunch in a short period of 30-40minutes when there were mostly restaurants available were you would have to sit down. Would therefore recommend that you take your lunch with you from the start of the tour and then are able to relax for this short stop. It wasn't our guides fault which is…”

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7.Auckland Sunset Harbour Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 55 reviews · 1h 30m · from $22

Join The Red Boats for a 90-minute English-language cruise across Waitematā Harbour. You’ll pass beneath the Harbour Bridge, hear live commentary, enjoy skyline views at sunset, and buy drinks or snacks from the licensed onboard bar.

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8.Group tour to Bay of Islands return from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 48 reviews · from $284Top rated

Travel from Auckland to Paihia in an air-conditioned minibus, then cruise among the Bay of Islands with live commentary. You may see bottlenose dolphins, pass through Hole in the Rock, and stop at Otehei Bay. Guides may include Nancy, David, Henrick, Jon, or Warren.

“I have booked more tours with viator than I can count and this was the BEST. Nancy was an amazing guide for our group. She kept us laughing all day while showing us some of New Zealand's most breathtaking scenery. There were pleRead more”

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9.Nightlights Harbour Cruise with Canapés and Drink

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 42 reviews · 2 hours · from $38

Cruise Auckland Harbour for two hours as sunset gives way to city lights. From Z Pier, The Red Boats takes you beneath the Harbour Bridge and past the Viaduct, with canapés, one drink, English commentary, and relaxing music.

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10.3-Day Bay of Islands Tour from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 41 reviews · from $785

Travel from Auckland to Paihia for three busy days of Northland highlights. You will visit Russell and Waitangi, ride along 90 Mile Beach, see Cape Reinga, walk through kauri forest, and cruise toward Hole in the Rock. Expect changing coaches, early starts, and two nights in Paihia.

“The first day of this trip was fine, with ample time to explore the town of Paihia after a scenic bus ride. The second day had us on a bus for close to 12 hours with very short 20 minute stops to see the kauri forest, 90 mile beach, Cape Reinga, etc. The weather was dreadful which of course was out of the tour operator’s control. However, we had a flat tire in the morning and it took 1 1/2 hours to get a new bus. The driver did not plan for reasonably spaced comfort stops. The most exciting part of the day was sand boarding on the dunes. There…”

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11.Scenic Harbour Cruise with Live Commentary

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 40 reviews · 1h 30m · from $17Best value

Join The Red Boats Auckland at Z Pier for a 90-minute cruise across Waitematā Harbour. Expect live English commentary, indoor and outdoor viewing areas, Harbour Bridge and Rangitoto Island views, and drinks for purchase at the licensed bar.

“The tour covered the harbor, but the narrator was at times difficult to hear and understand. I tried photographing various sites but windows were too dirty to get clear shots.”

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12.Bay of Islands 2-Day Small Group Tour & Cruise from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 33 reviews · from $452

Travel from Auckland to Paihia with a small group of up to 15, stopping at the Kauri Museum, Tāne Mahuta, Opononi, and Waitangi. Spend the night in Paihia, then cruise to the Hole in the Rock and Otehei Bay before returning to Auckland. Guides include Mark, Matt, Brendan, and Dean.

“Fab tour full of history and fun. Tour guide/driver Mark very knowledgeable and considerate of people's needs. Small group so much better than a large coach load of people.”

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13.3 Day Bay Of Islands Tour from Auckland including Waitangi and Cape Reinga

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 18 reviews · from $772

Travel from Auckland to Paihia, visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, spend a full day at Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach, then cruise the Bay of Islands toward Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock. Expect a mix of guided outings, public coach travel, free time, and two nights in Paihia.

“Great experience to join this tour as it includes all the major spots in the NZ's northern area. Bus drivers are very professional and polite. Regarding to the hotel accommodation, the room is quite good. The location is very convenient. It takes about 5 minutes to reach a supermarket. One minor thing is that the kettle in the 3 star hotel is dirty and old. Paihia is definitely the place you have to go if you would like to take a break in a small town/village for few days.”

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14.Bay of Islands Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 17 reviews · from $589

Travel privately from Auckland to Paihia with a professional guide such as Nancy, Jon, or Dave, then cruise for 4.5 hours among 144 islands. Look for dolphins, visit Urupukapuka Island, and approach the Hole in the Rock before returning to Auckland.

“Jon was our driver today and he was great. Very informative on the drive in regards to Auckland and very friendly!!”

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15.Bay of Islands Discovery Experience from Auckland incl. Hole In The Rock Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $650

Ride from Auckland to Paihia in a private, air-conditioned minibus with a local guide, then cruise through the Bay of Islands to Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock. Look for dolphins and whales, stop at Otehei Bay for 1.5 hours, and choose a walk, swim, paddle, or lunch.

“We had a wonderful day today. We were lucky to see a lot of dolphins swimming around our boat. The hiking on the Otehei Bay island was fantastic, green grass on the hills with sheep scattering around and overlooking the ocean and islRead more”

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