Bay of Islands 2-Day Small Group Tour from Auckland with Cruise

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.

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.