Cape Brett 'Hole in the Rock' Cruise departs Auckland

Auckland, New Zealand

Departing Auckland, you'll head north over the Auckland Harbour Bridge and enjoy spectacular rural and coastal scenery en route to the Bay of Islands. On arrival in the Bay, you'll visit the Waitangi Treaty House and grounds, and see a traditional Maori meeting house and a huge waka (war canoe).

You'll then experience the Hole in the Rock from the water: a sightseeing cruise by high-speed catamaran across the waves. Bring your camera to capture the marvelous scenery and variety of wildlife including whales, seals, dolphins, penguins and other marine life.

USD $211.00

Review by:   John P,    March 2018
The boat trip thru the Bay of Islands is wonderful. If the seas are calm you will travel thru the hole in the rock we were not able to, but still worth the trip. But there are a few things to keep in mind. The drive from Auckland to the Bay of Islands is almost 4 hours long so you will spend about 8 hours of the day sitting on the bus. The tour is advertised as approximately 10 hours because of the distances involved, it is actually much longer than that closer to 15 hours. We missed a dinner reservation because of this. Finally, the seas within the Bay of Islands are usually calm, but the ride out to the Hole in the Rock can be quite rough. If you're sitting on deck, chances are you will get wet possibly very wet from ocean spray, which is something to keep in mind for that 4 hour return trip to Auckland.

Review by:   margaret B,    February 2018
The length of the bus ride round trip was way too much for the actual tour. Suggest staying overnight in area and see other things as well. Driver was knowledgeable.

Review by:   Christopher S,    January 2018
Beautiful tour, well worth the money. I would however skipped the meal option if I were to return.

Review by:   Karen M,    October 2017
Because of the weather we cruised the islands but could not go out to Cape Brett or the Hole in the Rock - unavoidable but understandable. The issue was that there were people from multiple tours to the area on the same coach up and back. That created an incredible amount of confusion about who was to be where when. The tour at Waitangi was very good but cut short due to the need to get back for the boat ride. Altogether it was a very long coach ride for a so so excursion.

Review by:   DM,    May 2017
Long day and they mix some tours together so it gets crowded and a little confusing on the bus. However, the boat trip was great and we were able to cruise through the Hole in the Rock very light winds that day. Only saw one dolphin beautiful but the people who signed up to swim with the dolphins couldn't go government regulations require at least two so they don't feel uncomfortable. The tour on the Maori canoe was great! Nice little gift shop at the boat dock had some really good prices. I would give it a five but they must have forgot to pick us up so they sent cabs for us and we made the bus just fine in the end. At the end they put you on a smaller bus to go to the hotel which was fine.

Review by:   dakhi,    March 2017
Not happy at all

Review by:   Anthony P,    March 2017
A well organized day tour with prompt pick up, most comfortable modern bus and efficient transfer between bus and boat. The tour company really demonstrated its experience, everything worked like a well oiled machine. Not being able to actually sail through the hole in the rock was understood by everybody as rough sea conditions made it too dangerous. Our captain however brought us close to the rocks and the opening so we could appreciate their majestic size. Overall, a long but excellent day.

Review by:   ANNA P,    February 2017
Unforgettable tour.

Review by:   Kat P,    January 2017
We recommend package tours like these because it saves you the trouble of driving out to remote locations and arranging the boats on your own.

Review by:   Catherine J,    December 2015
Excellent tour run by Great Sights, our driver Ben took us on a couple of extra stops as all the passengers were good with the time keeping and getting on the bus on time. The Treaty Grounds was an excellent introduction to the Moari history and traditions. The Cruise also was excellent, we saw many Dolphins and we were lucky enough to be able to go through the Hole in the Rock.

Review by:   becky,    March 2015
Very nice! We met dolphin! A little bit disappointment is we didn't cross the hole boz the sea surface condition of that day was not very good. I really deeply felt the emotions of the water!

Review by:   Maikl,    January 2014
Брали круиз Cape Brett "Hole in the Rock" с забором из Окленда от компании GreatSights._br/_ Ехали большой группой на большом автобусе. Путевые комментарии водителя-гида были достаточно скучными и монотонными, по дороге автобус несколько раз норовил сломаться, так что, видимо, всё внимание водителя-гида было сфокусировано на том, как бы довезти всех до цели :-)_br/_ Экскурсия включала посещение Трити-Хауза и, собственно, сам круиз._br/_ Круиз на катамаране нам не очень понравился - ничего особенного - разные по краскам, растительности и форме острова, да и проход через "Врата в скале" не сильно впечатлил... Гораздо больше нам понравилась экскурсия по территории Waitangi, которую вела местная экскурсовод - коренная маори. Очень живо, активно, с шутками, занимательными фактами. Помимо всего, она ещё и продемонстрировала искусство горлового пения, развитое у маори._br/_ Да и сама территория Waitangi очень живописна - зеленые лужайки, столетние деревья, окруженные чащей тропического леса с протекающим ручьем._br/_ Обязательно стоит осмотреть боевые каное маори и посетить Дом собраний маори (Te whare runanga) с маорийской настенной резьбой._br/_ Мы рекомендуем обязательно посетить Waitangi, но заменить круиз Cape Brett "Hole in the Rock" на что-нибудь другое более интересное.

Review by:   Dennis,    October 2013
Outstanding tour. Highly recommended. Coach driver gave great description of the sights.

Review by:   Jacqui R,    August 2013
Great trip, lovely scenery. Would have liked better location for morning tea, and a bit more time on the way back to buy some food for dinner. Guide was informative and the Treaty site and guide was just AMAZING._br/_ Driver drove way too fast on mountain roads, was a bit hairy!!!

Review by:   BRENDA C,    November 2012
I really enjoyed the trip it's a chance to view the scenery on the long journey north. Our coach driver Kenny was full of info n facts n figures. The cruise from Pahia is lovely, dolphins swam right by the boat. We were taken so close to the hole on a rough day and it was Majestic. The Bay is Magic.

Review by:   Gwenda G,    March 2011
Good pick up service and return from/to the hotel. Excellent commentary throughout the whole day. Provided lunch was appetizing and a change from the usual sandwiches. The cruise was out of this world and to see so many dolphins following the boat was amazing. The technical ability of the boat crew to enable us to pass through the 'Hole in the Rock' was great. Excellent day

Review by:   Mark L,    June 2010
The ride to the Bay of Islands is nice! The actual boat ride is long and boring as you just are on a catamaran looking at the various islands. We did not see dolphins. The only exciting part was going though the hole in the rock. Also, bring your own lunch! It is not worth it to include an extra 20 NZ dollars for lunch because you have time to purchase lunch before the boat leaves. Please notice that you will not have time to swim in the water.

Review by:   ,    June 2010
Although the bay of islands was beautiful I thought the tour was okay for the price we paid for the tour. It didn't offer as much to do as the other trips offered.

Review by:   Wai Wan K,    June 2010
Although the bay of islands was beautiful I thought the tour was okay for the price we paid for the tour. It didn't offer as much to do as the other trips offered.

Review by:   Anonymous,    June 2010
Although the bay of islands was beautiful I thought the tour was okay for the price we paid for the tour. It didn't offer as much to do as the other trips offered.

Review by:   ,    May 2010
WELL ORGANIZED GOOD GUIDE

Review by:   ANTONIO D,    May 2010
WELL ORGANIZED GOOD GUIDE

Review by:   Anonymous,    May 2010
WELL ORGANIZED GOOD GUIDE

Review by:   Roy S,   United Kingdom, January 2010
Our skipper managed to get us through the Hole in the Rock, great day out.

Review by:   Travel B,   United States of America, January 2010
The ride to the Bay of Islands is nice! The actual boat ride is long and boring as you just are on a catamaran looking at the various islands. We did not see dolphins. The only exciting part was going though the hole in the rock. Also, bring your own lunch! It is not worth it to include an extra 20 NZ dollars for lunch because you have time to purchase lunch before the boat leaves. Please notice that you will not have time to swim in the water.

Review by:   Mark L,    January 2010
The ride to the Bay of Islands is nice! The actual boat ride is long and boring as you just are on a catamaran looking at the various islands. We did not see dolphins. The only exciting part was going though the hole in the rock. Also, bring your own lunch! It is not worth it to include an extra 20 NZ dollars for lunch because you have time to purchase lunch before the boat leaves. Please notice that you will not have time to swim in the water.

Review by:   IVETTE C,    January 2010
An awesome trip. We got to go through the Hole in the Rock, and Bay of Islands is strikingly beautiful. Also great was the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where we learned tons about Maori & NZ history. I went with my two kids, and we really had a blast. Definitely worth doing!

Review by:   Anonymous,   United States of America, December 2009
Although the bay of islands was beautiful I thought the tour was okay for the price we paid for the tour. It didn't offer as much to do as the other trips offered.

Review by:   Wai Wan K,    December 2009
Although the bay of islands was beautiful I thought the tour was okay for the price we paid for the tour. It didn't offer as much to do as the other trips offered.

Review by:   Wayne P,    December 2009
We had very bad weather yet we enjoyed the whole experience. The guide at the treaty house was brilliant. Our bus driver was very special.

Review by:   Anonymous,   Belgium, November 2009
WELL ORGANIZED GOOD GUIDE

Review by:   ANTONIO D,    November 2009
WELL ORGANIZED GOOD GUIDE

Review by:   Ivette C,   United States of America, August 2009
This is a must-do tour if you visit New Zealand! We had a funny and courteous bus driver who gave us a lot of info on NZ history, especially on the Maori influence. There were several interesting stops to cafes, a maori tree farm, the Waitomo Treaty Grounds were amazing in detail, sculpture, and history. My two children ages 11 and 9 really got a kick of the Maori war canoe; the largest one in NZ! Then we saw the most stunning water scenery you can imagine, including dolphins and seals, and went through the hole in the rock. Overall this was an A+ tour, a very memorable experience for all.

Review by:   Ivette C,   United States of America, August 2009
An awesome trip. We got to go through the Hole in the Rock, and Bay of Islands is strikingly beautiful. Also great was the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where we learned tons about Maori & NZ history. I went with my two kids, and we really had a blast. Definitely worth doing!

Review by:   Anonymous,    August 2009
This is a must-do tour if you visit New Zealand! We had a funny and courteous bus driver who gave us a lot of info on NZ history, especially on the Maori influence. There were several interesting stops to cafes, a maori tree farm, the Waitomo Treaty Grounds were amazing in detail, sculpture, and history. My two children ages 11 and 9 really got a kick of the Maori war canoe; the largest one in NZ! Then we saw the most stunning water scenery you can imagine, including dolphins and seals, and went through the hole in the rock. Overall this was an A+ tour, a very memorable experience for all.

Review by:   IVETTE C,    August 2009
An awesome trip. We got to go through the Hole in the Rock, and Bay of Islands is strikingly beautiful. Also great was the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where we learned tons about Maori & NZ history. I went with my two kids, and we really had a blast. Definitely worth doing!

Review by:   ,    August 2009
This is a must-do tour if you visit New Zealand! We had a funny and courteous bus driver who gave us a lot of info on NZ history, especially on the Maori influence. There were several interesting stops to cafes, a maori tree farm, the Waitomo Treaty Grounds were amazing in detail, sculpture, and history. My two children ages 11 and 9 really got a kick of the Maori war canoe; the largest one in NZ! Then we saw the most stunning water scenery you can imagine, including dolphins and seals, and went through the hole in the rock. Overall this was an A+ tour, a very memorable experience for all.

Review by:   Wayne P,   Australia, July 2009
We had very bad weather yet we enjoyed the whole experience. The guide at the treaty house was brilliant. Our bus driver was very special.

Review by:   ,    June 2009
It was boring as the dolphins were running away from the boat. Furthermore, the description mentioned in the Viator website was incorrect as there wasn't any free time to swim or snorkel at Otehei Bay. We also had issue when trying to reconfirm the trip as the contact number shown on the voucher was incorrect. However, we managed to chase up several site agent, fullers agent all around Auckland and Bay of islands branches.

Review by:   Sylvia K,    June 2009
It was boring as the dolphins were running away from the boat. Furthermore, the description mentioned in the Viator website was incorrect as there wasn't any free time to swim or snorkel at Otehei Bay. We also had issue when trying to reconfirm the trip as the contact number shown on the voucher was incorrect. However, we managed to chase up several site agent, fullers agent all around Auckland and Bay of islands branches.

Review by:   Anonymous,    June 2009
It was boring as the dolphins were running away from the boat. Furthermore, the description mentioned in the Viator website was incorrect as there wasn't any free time to swim or snorkel at Otehei Bay. We also had issue when trying to reconfirm the trip as the contact number shown on the voucher was incorrect. However, we managed to chase up several site agent, fullers agent all around Auckland and Bay of islands branches.

Review by:   Anonymous,    April 2009
It was boring as the dolphins were running away from the boat. Furthermore, the description mentioned in the Viator website was incorrect as there wasn't any free time to swim or snorkel at Otehei Bay. We also had issue when trying to reconfirm the trip as the contact number shown on the voucher was incorrect. However, we managed to chase up several site agent, fullers agent all around Auckland and Bay of islands branches.

Review by:   Sylvia K,    April 2009
It was boring as the dolphins were running away from the boat. Furthermore, the description mentioned in the Viator website was incorrect as there wasn't any free time to swim or snorkel at Otehei Bay. We also had issue when trying to reconfirm the trip as the contact number shown on the voucher was incorrect. However, we managed to chase up several site agent, fullers agent all around Auckland and Bay of islands branches.

Review by:   Elizabeth P,   United Kingdom, March 2009
Unable to do Hole in the Rock due to bad weather.

Review by:   Alan P,   United Kingdom, April 2008
The driver was excellent and made it special!

Review by:   Helen R,   Australia, April 2008
It was great, a really good day trip!

Review by:   Beverley W,   United Kingdom, March 2008
An ideal way to see some of the tip of the North Island if you have a limited time to see as much as you can.

Review by:   Anand V,   Australia, March 2008
The trip was too costly.

Review by:   Don O,   United States of America, June 2007
This is a must-do tour. The scenery is beautiful, and going through the hole is really spectacular. It's a long day because of the drive time from Auckland, but it's worth it.

Review by:   Florence M,   Cyprus, April 2007
A long day's traveling, but glad we did it.