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Dolphin Eco Cruise

4.3
254
Take in the breath-taking natural beauty of the Bay of Island and its abundant wildlife!

Take in the breath-taking natural beauty of the Bay of Island and its abundant wildlife!

Highlights

  • Enjoy a scenic cruise, with views of the incredible dolphins and marine life
  • Learn about Project Island Song’s ecological restoration programme
  • Stop at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island for lunch
  • Friendly and knowledgeable hosts will make sure you get the most out of the experience
  • Marine mammal viewing Guarantee (12 months )

Cruise the sheltered waters of the Bay of Islands and discover whales, dolphins, seals, birdlife and more on this spectacular dolphin eco cruise!

Enjoy a stop at Otehei Bay on the Department of Conservation’s recreation reserve Urupukapuka Island, where you will learn about the natural ecosystems being restored as part of the Project Island Song programme including revegetation, native species reintroduction, education and biosecurity.

Explore the island via the established tracks and spot reintroduced native wildlife including tīeke (North Island saddleback), toutouwai (North Island robin), pāteke (brown teal), Wētāpunga (giant wētā) and more.

Make the most of the day with the opportunity to snorkel and swim, if conditions permit, or enjoy a bite to eat in the sun and relax at the fully licensed café at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island.

Adult $160.00
Child $80.00 (5-15 years old)
Infant $0.00 (0 - 4 years)

What's included

  • 4 hours of scenic cruising with wildlife spotting
  • 1.5 hours at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island
  • Opportunity to snorkel/swim (conditions permitting)

Duration

  • Allow approx. 5.5 hours for the whole experience

Location

  • Paihia Wharf, Bay of Islands

Child Friendly

  • This experience welcomes families with children.

Bad Weather Refunds

  • If your experience is cancelled by the operator (because of the weather or anything else out of your control) you will be entitled to a full refund.

Notes

  • Children under 5 years old are free but must be booked - please put in notes that a infant is traveling .

    Please note the opportunity to swim/snorkel does not include swimming with dolphins due to restrictions on marine mammal interactions.

    Explore has a license permitting marine mammal viewing during this experience.

    This cruise does not include lunch, however light snacks and drinks are available for purchase onboard. Lunch is available to purchase from the fully licensed caf at Otehei Bay during your island stop.

Available Bookings from 1 Dec to 14 Dec 2024

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Change Dates
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Sat 14 Dec

  • Adult$96.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$72.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$96.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$72.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$96.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$72.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$96.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$80.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$96.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$72.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$96.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$72.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$96.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$72.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

  • Adult$96.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$72.00
  • Infant Free of Charge

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

4.3

254 reviews

Showing all 254 authenticated Bookme reviews

Jihye from South Korea wrote on 27 March 2019

춥네요

돌고래를 못 본 것도 아쉬운데 그 대신 받은 상품권은 좀 황당한 느낌입니다. 다시 여기 온다는 보장도 없고 여행 스케줄이라는 것도 있는데 돌고래를 못 본 것에 대한 환불 대신 무료 상품권을 준다는 점 참고해주세요. 그리고 시간 지나면 추워요! 따뜻한 옷 가져가는게 좋습니다.

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flora55 from New Zealand wrote on 15 January 2023

Lovely day cruise

Friendly and competent staff, great tour, unfortunately no dolphins or whales.

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Anna Koop from New Zealand wrote on 28 October 2022

Beautiful trip

Well organised, beautiful beach, had a quick swim. Relaxed boat trip looking for marine mammals with great information about the area and animals. Spotted dolphins. Extra plus that sunscreen was provided!

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sweta from New Zealand wrote on 14 November 2022

very bad experience

we hardly seen 4-5 dolphin for few seconds and that's all in 4.5 hours journey. it's not worth to money and time. specially with kids I do not recommend. boat as too small to go to kid sea and you barley stand because waves and boat is rock and roll.

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Robin from United Kingdom wrote on 13 March 2020

VIP PACKAGE!!!

We boarded the boat at Russel wharf and were told that we were the only ones on the dolphin cruise. We were so glad that the crew went ahead with the trip, instead of cancelling due to low ticket sales. We were treated like VIPs, the crew interaction was brilliant and their marine biology knowledge was faultless. Their knowledge of the waterways and islands was really impressive and they took us to some particularly beautiful areas of the Bay of Islands. Our captain located a pod of really playful dolphins and after she cut the boat's engines they played in the waters surrounding the boat. The captain then declared that we had stayed for the Department of Conservation recommended time scale and we set off again. We were then treated to a nature walk where we saw fantails, saddlebacks and a few cheeky tuis. Amazing day, would highly recommend this experience

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This award identifies a business with a high level of professionalism, a keen awareness of the impact it has on the environment and a commitment to a customer centric approach.

This award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure the business's focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create genuine, constantly evolving and sustainable tourism experiences.

This award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand. It denotes exceptional customer experiences at the heart of everything the company does. This business is leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.

When you see the Qualmark logo, your activity of choice is endorsed by New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation and backed by leaders in the industry. It's your trusted guide to iconic activities and experiences that are awarded for their exceptionally high level of quality, safety and sustainability.

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