Step aboard the iconic KEWPIE for an incredible scenic cruise over the beautiful waters of Tauranga Harbour.
I did this cruise when I first moved to Tauranga back in 2014 and loved the cruise around Matakana, the Mount and the port. Great "lay of the land" cruise. We did it again when family visited in 2026 and it was a highlight of their stay. Our Captain Berndt and his assistant were super friendly and knowledgeable. We especially enjoyed all of the commentary from Berndt throughout the cruise. I might just do the cruise for fun with the family sometime and spend the day at Matakana Island for a little island holiday. Thanks guys for showing my family a great time! Best of luck to Patrick off to the Navy next year! You'll be great on those Super Yachts in Europe!
My husband and I took our grandsons on the 1 hour harbour tour on the Kewpie. It was a lovely experience for them and very enjoyable for us seeing the harbour and surrounds from a different view. It was also very informative with our skipper pointing out places of interest we have seen for 20 years but not really known much about. She and her assistant were excellent hosts. Thank you.
I went on the cruise yesterday as I was visiting Tauranga with my 2 son's from Auckland .we spent more time circling and waiting just outside the harbor as other bigger vessels we passing by..The Kewpie only went as far as the little white beach to pick up passengers.I spent over 70$ for 3 adults and it wasn't worth it...not sure i will be using them again. A few yrs ago I went on the same cruise and we went much further..more enjoyable and informative then...
Sorry to hear you were disappointed with the cruise. This is a working port and occasionally we have to wait for passing ships as in the interests of a safe passage for our passengers as Im sure you wouldnt want to run down by a large ship entering or exiting the harbour. The route the cruise takes hasnt changed at all and stopping at Matakana to drop off and pick up passengers has always been an option that many people enjoy.
Great cruise, friendly and knowledgeable crew. Will definitely do this again.
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Lynette GREENWOOD from New Zealand wrote on 10 January 2026
Lovely Cruise
Really enjoyed the hour cruise, was so relaxing & beautiful. The coffee was really good to buy.