Join us for an unforgettable cruising adventure and discover the very best of the Bay of Islands!
Both stunningly beautiful and historically significant, this spectacular haven draws visitors from around the world, showcasing the breathtaking beauty of the Bay of Islands and its diverse wildlife in their natural surroundings.
Sit back and relax as we cruise among the 144 islands with the skipper's expert commentary, including a visit to the famous Hole in the Rock and when conditions allow, travel through it!
Our trips boast a high success rate for wildlife viewing and is your best chance to encounter these amazing mammals, as we are one of only 2 operators with a marine mammal permit!
We will also stop off for an Island lunch at the stunning Otehei Bay Cafe, on Urupukapuka which is considered by some as the most beautiful island within the Bay. Here you will have some free time to swim, explore, marvel at the native birdlife or relax with a drink from our licensed beachfront bar.
Location: Paihia, Bay Of Islands.
Such an amazing experience! It’s my fourth time in 10 years visiting the Bay of Islands, and it never disappoints. My parents joined us this time and loved it too — we just wished we could’ve seen some dolphins! Still, it was a beautiful trip all around.
This cruise is an absolute must-do when you’re in the Bay of Islands, especially with the team from Explore! Their vessel is amazing, the crew is fantastic, and the captain’s commentary was both interesting and full of humour — making the whole experience even more memorable.
Unfortunately we can't see dolphins or whales, but we saw a few adorable blue penguins. Lunch is buffet, not many choices but quality is good. The crew is friendly and Captain is funny.
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cj27 from New Zealand wrote on 29 December 2025
Very nice experience
The cruise experience was very good. Nice staff, captain was very entertaining ☺️. We get to saw the dolphins twice and went through the cove. Lunch was okay. But not very good. Taste is bland. It could be improved. We would do the cruise again but not sure will do the lunch option.