Bay of Islands 2-Day Small Group Tour & Cruise from Auckland
About this activity
Highlights
- Scenic 4.5-hour Bay of Islands cruise
- Overnight stay in Paihia
- Visit to Waitangi Treaty Grounds
- Explore Russell, the first capital of New Zealand
- Opportunity to see dolphins and other marine life
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Auckland
- 4.5-hour Bay of Islands cruise
- Overnight accommodation in Paihia
- Meals and drinks not specified
Itinerary
Pass by: Your tour starts in New Zealand’s largest city. As we drive out of the city your guide will not only set the scene for your adventure today but also point out and guide you past some of the area’s top highlights.
Exiting Auckland, we travel west and follow the road through the kumara capital of New Zealand, Dargaville. Our first stop sees us visiting the Kauri Museum, to understand the remarkable story of New Zealand’s largest and most famous native tree.
Visit the breathtaking Waipoua Forest, where you can enjoy its serene beauty and learn about the ongoing efforts to protect these natural wonders for future generations.
Enjoy a lunch break at your own cost in the beachside settlement of Opononi with views over the Hokianga Harbour. Opononi was made famous in the mid 1950s by the tame dolphin Opo, who delighted visitors with its friendly antics.
After enjoying the Hokianga Harbour, we journey further north towards the ‘birthplace of our nation’, Waitangi, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840. Here we will be treated to a complete guided tour and cultural performance at Aotearoa New Zealand’s most important historic site. Explore New Zealand’s Māori heritage through interactive museums, traditional performances and historic buildings, including the Treaty House and the beautifully carved Whare Rūnanga.
Arrive in the beachside town of Paihia and check into your hotel, before taking a relaxing walk along the beach and ending the day with dinner at a local restaurant.
After breakfast, we embark on a magical cruise to explore the area’s extensive islands. During the cruise, the guides will share the rich history and natural beauty of the Bay of Islands while we search for the marine life that makes these cruises so famous. With a bit of luck, we might spot some playful doplphins and whales for you to enjoy! The cruise runs for 4.5 hours, taking your on a scenic journey through the Bay of Islands and along the Cape Brett Peninsula.
No Bay of Islands cruise is complete without spending some time at the beach on one of the islands. We’ll be stopping at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island, where you can swim, stroll along the white sand beach, hike to the top of the hill for scenic views over the entire Bay of Islands, or simply relax at the island’s fully licensed bar and café.
Sadly after this day in paradise we must start to head south again but your day is not over with a fully guided return trip to Auckland with secret stops along the way.
Pass by: As we arrive back into Auckland, our guide will drop you off to your hotel, marking the end of your Bay of Islands tour with us.
Important information
Know before you book
- This tour operates in English; ensure you are comfortable with the language.
- Overnight accommodation in Paihia is included; additional nights can be arranged upon request.
- Cruise schedules may vary based on weather conditions; confirm details prior to departure.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for walking and boat activities.
- Bring a camera to capture the stunning landscapes and wildlife.
- Check the weather forecast and pack accordingly for the cruise and overnight stay.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Stroller Accessible
- Easy Public Transport
- Infant Seats Available
Good to know
- Children aged 7 years and below are required to travel in a child safety car seat. If you don't have a car seat one can be provided (with 24 hours’ notice).
- Solo travellers will be required to pay a Solo Surcharge for Accommodation (+$150 NZD)
Traveler reviews
Highly recommended 2-day Bay of Islands Tour
Cheeky Kiwi Travel provides an excellent travel adventure to the Bay of Islands. Each stop was exceptional. The Kauri Tree Museum and the Waitange Treaty Grounds were informative and extremely well executed. Our Scenic Hotel Stay was comfortable and the dinner buffet delicious. We had some rough water at the Hole in the Rock and didn't go through but certainly experienced some crashing waves viewed from a distance instead. Also included was a stop for lunch and hiking which was a real treat! All around an exceptional tour!
Book it now!
This was an excellent tour and I would highly recommend taking it. It showed us the highlights of the beautiful Bay of Islands and our guide Jeff was excellent. We’ve done a couple of tours with Cheeky Kiwi now and they’re a brilliant company who offer brilliant experiences.
Spectacular!
If you ever want to spend a couple of days exploring the north of New Zealand, this is the tour to book! It was jam packed with activities (watching a cultural performance and learning the history behind the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, hiking around Urupukapuka island and cruising to the hole in the rock) while being incredibly well-paced and thought out. Despite the rainy weather predicted for the weekend, our tour guide Mark did his best to make the trip just as worthwhile. He was incredibly friendly and helpful, providing ample snacks and water for the trip, and was also super knowledgeable about the sights we were set to see. The accommodation was very spacious, with two double beds, an en-suite bathroom and amenities such as a TV (provides YouTube and Netflix), a mini fridge and toiletries. As a vegetarian, there were some lovely restaurants around the hotel in Paihia, so I was not short on food to eat! The only disappointment is that we didn’t manage to spot any dolphins and couldn’t go through the hole in the rock due to rough weather, but that isn’t always guaranteed due to ever changing weather. Nonetheless, this tour was fabulous - I learnt so much about the history of New Zealand and saw some beautiful landscapes, all the while meeting wonderful people. I would do this tour 10 times over. Thank you very much Cheeky Kiwi for making it so memorable!
A great insight into the Bay of Islands.
Excellent experience. Ark looked after us every well. He knew so much about the area. Nice small group. Good accommodation. Of concern was a lady who was sick at the beginning of the tour. We were likely to catch something, which I did and now I am sick on my next tour. We should have been told she was ill, and we could have cancelled, or she should have not travelled with us.
We couldn’t do the whole...
We couldn’t do the whole tour because of a storm and a lot of rain. But John did manage everything and brought us back to Auckland savely.