3-Day Bay Of Islands Tour including a Dolphin Cruise and Cape Reinga Trip from Auckland

Auckland, New Zealand

Visit the beautiful Bay of Islands, a year-round destination and birthplace of our nation. Journey to New Zealand's northernmost point, Cape Reinga. Discover our cultural heritage at Waitangi Treaty grounds and experience the natural beauty of the region on a scenic Dolphin seeking cruise.

Day 1: Auckland - Paihia, Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Our trip will start with a coach tour to the beautiful Bay of Islands!
Sit back and enjoy your driver's commentary (in English) across Auckland Harbor Bridge out of the city through farming countryside and sub-tropical bush, stopping along the way for morning tea (own expense). The coach takes approximately 4.5 hours to get to Paihia, where you will join a guided tour of Waitangi Treaty Grounds. The Treaty of Waitangi is modern New Zealand's founding document and this tour takes you on a journey into our past. Explore the Treaty House, one of our oldest homes, visit a fully carved Maori meeting house and marvel at the 35 metre long hand crafted Waka (canoe) which is still used today.
Your afternoon is free to explore Paihia. We suggest taking a quick ferry ride from Paihia to Russell, the first capital of New Zealand. In Russell you will find The Duke of Marlborough, our first pub, along with the Pompallier Mission where you can learn how to tan and bind a book. Russell and Paihia are both stunning beach side towns and great to explore on foot.

Stay 2 nights in Paihia: Standard accommodation is at Kingsgate hotel or similar. Superior accommodation is at Scenic hotel or similar.

Day 2: Paihia - Cape Reinga- Paihia
Today you will be taken on an all-day coach tour to Cape Reinga, the North most point of New Zealand. You can walk among giant native trees and bush at Puketi Kauri Forest, zoom along Ninety Mile Beach, sand-board down the massive dunes (or watch) and visit the Cape Reinga lighthouse. Learn the Maori legends of the area and see the Tasman and Pacific Oceans collide. Lunch of fish and chips is included or if you are vegetarian please let us know. You return to Paihia in time for dinner in the early evening (own cost).

Day 3: Cruise, Paihia - Auckland
This morning you will be collected from your accommodation and taken to Paihia Wharf, to board Dolphin Seeker.
Cruise among the many islands of the Bay and through the intriguing Hole in the Rock, looking out for common and bottlenose Dolphins as you go. If the weather is good you can choose to upgrade your cruise (pay direct) and swim with the Dolphins. After the cruise you have time for a quick bite to eat (own expense) before boarding the coach back to Auckland. The coach will arrive into the Auckland Intercity depot on Hobson St at approximately 5.45 pm and this is where your journey ends.

USD $543.00

Traveler Reviews

Review by:   Rahul M,    January 2018
Great trip. Well organized, got plenty of time for yourself. Beautiful views, and very nice guides, really. Would repeat 100

Review by:   spenceryeung1988,    October 2017
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.

Review by:   jillmjackson,    February 2017
This tour was the HIGHLIGHT of our trip to the North Island of New Zealand! Everything was spot on, from the accommodations, to the tour conductors. Highly recommend!

All Traveler Reviews...