Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Options include sailing boats, jetboats and large launches. Boats leave from either Paihia
or Russell, calling into the other town as their first stop.
One of the bay's most striking islands is
Piercy Island (Motukokako)
off Cape Brett, at the
bay's eastern edge. This steep-walled rock fortress features a vast natural arch - the fam-
ous
Hole in the Rock
. Provided the conditions are right, most boat tours will pass right
through the heart of the island. En route it's likely you'll encounter bottlenose and com-
mon dolphins, and you may see orcas, other whales and penguins.
The best way to explore the bay is under sail. Either help crew the boat (no experience
required), or just spend the afternoon island-hopping, sunbathing, swimming, snorkelling,
kayaking and fishing.
Explore NZ
MAP
CRUISE, SAILING
GOOGLE MAP
( 09-402 8234;
www.explorenz.co.nz
;
cnr Marsden & Williams Rds, Paihia)
The four-hour Swim
with the Dolphins Cruise (adult/child $89/45, additional $15 to swim) departs at 8am and
12.30pm. The four-hour Discover the Bay Cruise (adult/child $99/49) departs at 9am and
1.30pm, heading to the Hole in the Rock and stopping at Urupukapuka Island. There are
also combo options available including a bus trip along Ninety Mile Beach.
Another option (December to March only) is a day sail on
Lion NZ
(adult/child $110/
70), the 80ft maxi yacht used by the late Sir Peter Blake in racing around the world and
from Sydney to Hobart.
Fullers Great Sights
MAP
CRUISES
GOOGLE MAP
( 0800 653 339;
www.dolphincruises.co.nz
; Paihia Wharf)
The four-hour Dolphin Cruise (adult/
child $95/50) departs daily at 9am and 1.30pm, actively seeking out dolphins en route to
the Hole in the Rock, and stopping at Urupukapuka Island on the way back. You won't
visit the Hole in the Rock on the four-hour Dolphin Eco Experience (adult/child $109/55,
departs 8am and 12.30pm); the focus is finding dolphins to swim with.
The full-day Cream Trip (adult/child $119/60) follows the mail route around the bay
and includes dolphin swimming. A glamorous option for an overnight cruise from
September to April is on the launch
Ipipiri
, with accommodation in en-suite state rooms
from $299 per person. Meals and kayaking, snorkelling and island walks are included.
