The 15 Best Bay of Islands Cruises

1.Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sailing on R. Tucker Thompson Including BBQ Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 361 reviews · from $111Our pick

Spend 5.5 hours aboard the R. Tucker Thompson, a working tall ship sailing from Russell through the Bay of Islands. Help raise sails, steer, climb the rigging, swim from the ship, visit an island, and enjoy scones, tea, and a chicken BBQ lunch. Paihia ferry transport is included when selected.

“Wonderful day out, sun, sea and sand. Dip in the water. Fabulous weather. Food was yummy. Staff were really attentive. They looked after everyone and we’re “down” with the kids!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Bay of Islands Glow Worm Caves & Scenic Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 317 reviews · from $139

Travel from Waitangi Wharf or your hotel with guides such as Dyson, Rob, or Gareth to Haruru Falls, Makana Chocolate Boutique, Kawiti Glow Worm Caves, and the Manginangina Kauri Walk. Expect a compact, informative day with bottled water, live commentary, and a careful return to port.

“We have done many shore excursions and were somewhat disappointed in this tour. While the logistics of being picked up and returned were fine, our guide did not really engage with us like guides in the past (and especially compared to ouRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Bay of Islands: 12,000ft Skydive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 253 reviews · from $93

You’ll tandem skydive from 12,000 feet above the Bay of Islands with an experienced instructor, enjoying about 40 seconds of freefall and wide views of 144 islands, turquoise water, Paihia, and Kerikeri. Pickup is available in selected central locations, and photos and video cost extra.

“This is the most efficient, well run place I have ever seen. It’s a tight ship and they know what they’re doing. Of course I had a great time; I was skydiving.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Full-Day Bay of Islands Tour by Vigilant Yacht Charters

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 219 reviews · from $114

Join Nat, Nathalie, Nick, Dallas, or Anita aboard Vigilant for a 5.5-hour sailing trip from Russell. Help with the sails, stop at an island for swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, or a walk, then enjoy lunch, hot drinks, and the chance to spot dolphins or other marine life.

“We enjoyed a lovely day aboard Vigilant. The captain and her first mate were knowledgeable sailors and made the day quite enjoyable. They made us feel welcome and shared their knowledge and history of the area. We spent 1.5 hours on an island that allowed us to hike, swim, and kayak followed by a freshly made lunch and a leisurely sail. The weather was perfect and we enjoyed our time getting to know the captain, first mate and our fellow passengers. We highly recommend this tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Phantom Sailing Bay of Islands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 177 reviews · from $121

Join sailing hosts Rick and Robin aboard the Phantom for about five and a half hours around New Zealand’s Bay of Islands. With no more than 10 people aboard, you’ll enjoy an island walk, swimming, snorkeling, homemade lunch, local stories, and a possible dolphin sighting.

“Wow! What an absolutely wonderful day we had sailing with Rick & Robin. We sailed through many incredible places, and the knowledge and experience that was shared was second to none. Everything was just amazing! The lunch also was beautiful, all home made and delicious. Highly recommend you go with this company above others. Even my aged parents, with Dad over 80 felt safe and comfortable. Sailing with Rick & Robin is a day our family will never ever forget!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Bay of Islands: Awesome Day Sailing Tour with Island Stop

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 101 reviews · 6 hours · from $104

Join Captain Mike, David, or another friendly Gungha II skipper for six hours aboard a 65-foot sailing yacht. Help with the sailing or relax, watch for dolphins and penguins, then swim, snorkel, walk, and eat a fresh lunch on a quiet island.

“A beautiful and relaxed scenic trip through the Bay. Mike is a well informed, warm and friendly Captain & tour guide. Be sure to sit at the stern of the boat, if you want to hear more about Pahia/Keri Keri. Mike has no shortage of stories and invaluable historical information about the Bay of Islands. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip, myself in particular getting to connect with a fellow Canadian (Mike) living abroad.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Bay of Islands Tall Ship Sundowner Sailing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 100 reviews · from $61

Meet the R. Tucker Thompson at Russell Wharf for a relaxed 1-hour-50-minute sunset sail. Help raise the sails, try the rigging if you wish, share an antipasto platter, and buy drinks from the licensed bar. Paihia visitors receive return ferry tickets to Russell.

“booked to sail to hole in the rock , but Captain said wind was not from right direction , a bit disappointed , only sailed across harbour and back , a bit tame and boring , crew were friendly and cheerful , trip was over too soon . Darryl and Xian”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Bay of Islands: 18,000ft Skydive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 98 reviews · from $297

Join Skydive Bay of Islands for New Zealand’s highest tandem skydive at 18,000 feet. After a safety briefing and flight above the 144-island archipelago, you’ll freefall with an instructor such as Prashant, Rhys, Maurice, or Filip, then glide back to the drop zone. Allow 2 to 4 hours.

“Fantastic first jump of 18,000ft. Prashant really put me at ease, was very professional and made the whole experience memorable. Would definitely recommend 🙌🏼”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Bay of Islands Scenic Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 50 reviews · from $67

Join local guide Michael, or occasionally Bernadette, for a 3.5-hour Bay of Islands tour through Waitangi, Paihia, Opua, Haruru Falls, and Russell. Ride the vehicle ferry, pause at Flagstaff Hill and Long Beach, then enjoy free time in Russell before returning by passenger ferry or bus.

“Everything was as described. A good introduction to the Bay of Islands. Lovely driver/guide, small group of people.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Bay of Islands Shore Excursion: Puketi Rainforest Guided Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 27 reviews · from $157

From Waitangi Wharf, guide Ian, Helen, or another local forest guide leads you through Puketi Rainforest beneath ancient kauri trees. Expect a small-group hike, steep and sometimes muddy sections, waterfalls, birdlife, Māori legends, and port pickup and return.

“We did a shore excursion trip with Puketi Rainforest Tours last week. Ian picked us up as we came off our ship, and drove us to the start point, providing a positive and gracious commentary as he drove. His wife Barbara drove us back to town Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Private Charter Bay of Islands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews

Join Nathalie and Dallas aboard the 42-foot Vigilant for a private Bay of Islands charter from Russell. You choose the pace, from a relaxed sail and picnic lunch to an island walk, snorkeling, kayaking, or time on a private beach. The charter suits up to 10 people and lasts about 5½ hours.

“Nathalie and Dallas were great hosts to a perfect day! We motored to an island that allowed us to take a great hike to the front side where we snorkeled and enjoyed our own private beach. When we returned to the boat we enjoyed a greaRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Bay of Islands: 9000ft Skydive

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 12 reviews · from $204

Jump tandem from 9,000 feet above the Bay of Islands with a trained instructor handling the safety work. Allow two to four hours for transfers, preparation, weather, and flight time. Central Paihia and Kerikeri pickup is included, while photos and video cost extra.

“The jump is great in nature but their service is awful. When you appeared to be nervous to jump, my coach Andrew said:” if I dropped you accidentally, I have to finish a lot of paper work. So don’t worry!” That is very “comforting” to hear! Your life is not as worthy as a pile of paper work to them. He will drag you around using the harness like leashing a dog.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Kawiti Family Glowworm Caves Guided Tour in Bay of Islands

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 12 reviews · from $96

Travel from Waitangi Wharf to the Kawiti Family Glowworm Caves with a Māori guide. Expect a 2.5-hour outing, about 45 minutes inside the caves, native forest walks, local stories, and no photography in the cave.

“This is a great tour. Wayne did a good job, the company gives good instructions. Our group was all early and we were one of the first to enter the caves and got to spend a bit extra time. Best caves with the glow worms!”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.1 Hour Scenic Bay of Islands Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $31Best value

Join Bay Cabs 2024 Ltd for a one-hour Bay of Islands outing from Waitangi Wharf. A local guide, including Nicky on some departures, takes you through Opua and Paihia to Haruru Falls and Mt Bledisloe Lookout. With room for only nine people, it suits cruise stopovers and first visits.

“Great, tour guide was so knowledgeable and accommodationg. Small group tour ,enabled us to see even 1 hour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Guided Puketi Kauri Forest Tour in Bay of Islands

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 3 reviews · from $93

Travel from Paihia to Puketi Kauri Forest with a group of up to nine. A DOC-licensed forest guide explains ancient kauri, native wildlife, Māori connections, and conservation on a protected trail, with stops at Haruru Falls and Waitangi Golf Club.

“The Minibus driver was very friendly and informative about the area as we drove around.”

Check availability →Read our full review