Auckland to Bay of Islands Dolphin Cruise Tour: A Detailed Review

So, are you after escaping the Auckland buzz for a day and swapping it for turquoise waters, heaps of tiny islands, and maybe, just maybe, a meet-and-greet with some friendly dolphins? A trip from Auckland to the Bay of Islands, complete with a dolphin cruise, might be what you’re looking for. It’s a popular choice for travelers wanting a taste of New Zealand’s maritime charm, all packed into one day. I recently took this exact trip, and I’m happy to share the experience, and some thoughts with you, hopefully helping you make a call on whether or not it’s worth adding to your own travel list.

What’s the Auckland to Bay of Islands Day Tour About, Really?

OK, the Auckland to Bay of Islands day tour isn’t just some hop-on-a-bus-and-see-the-sites kind of thing, you know. It’s an attempt to give you a good slice of the Bay of Islands without eating up your whole vacation schedule. Typically, it involves a pretty early morning start from Auckland – think somewhere around the time the birds start chirping loudly – followed by a bus ride up north. The journey is reasonably long, lasting several hours, but quite a few tour operators use that time wisely, offering commentary on the areas you pass. The tour swings you through little towns and landscapes. The main attraction is, unsurprisingly, the Bay of Islands itself, which boasts something like 144 islands, each looking like they have jumped straight out of a postcard. One of the tour’s big highlights is usually a dolphin cruise, where, weather and good dolphin behavior permitting, you can hopefully get up close to these marine residents. There’s usually a stopover at a significant place, such as the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, giving you a quick brush-up on some of New Zealand’s history. That day that I was on the tour, the tour company mentioned that these grounds marked the spot where the treaty was signed between the Māori and the British Crown.

Getting There and Back: The Long and Short of the Trip

Alright, so let’s tackle the transport side of things; this is kind of the backbone of the tour, right? Starting in Auckland, the ride to the Bay of Islands is mainly by road. Tour companies usually provide round-trip transport from city center spots. We’re talking a bus journey lasting around 3 to 4 hours, you see, depending on the traffic situation and how many bathroom stops there are. Most buses used are comfortable, and feature air conditioning, plus hopefully there is large windows for soaking in those rolling landscapes. I actually recall the driver pointing out farms dotted across the green hills, talking about the local agriculture as we rolled along. So, many tour companies actually offer some local knowledge.

There might be little rest stops along the way, and those provide the perfect opportunities to stretch your legs, grab a coffee or snack, and just have a little break. On my own trip, the stop we took was near a town known for its pies; honestly it gave me the perfect opportunity to sample a New Zealand meat pie (when in Rome as they say, hey). Coming back, well it pretty much the same process but in reverse, and reaching Auckland late in the evening. When booking, look at the included transfers with the tour operator and make sure the Auckland location is handy to where you staying; makes things nice and easy.

Dolphin Cruise Time: Will You Spot Some Dolphins?

OK, let’s talk about the heart of the adventure: hopefully spotting some dolphins in the Bay of Islands. Here’s the thing – these are wild creatures, and a sighting can never be guaranteed. However, most tour operators, they work closely with conservation teams and that helps them find out where the dolphins like to spend their time.

The cruises normally use boats which feature heaps of viewing space, whether its inside, outside and sometimes even a big net, hanging off the front where you can relax just above the water level. Local experts often are part of the boat tour and that often means that the can provide heaps of facts regarding dolphins, marine life and the history of the Bay of Islands. While dolphin spotting, do your eyes a favour, and also just soak in the scenery, is that so wrong, really? The Bay of Islands is super stunning, featuring lush islands and clean waters; it’s beautiful, really. So, that day, did I spot the dolphins? Sure, enough I did and it made for a brilliant experience, watching them play in the wake.

Waitangi Treaty Grounds: A Quick Stop Back in Time

So, just about all Auckland to Bay of Islands day tours includes a stop at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds; that has quite a significance, right? These are the actual grounds where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, a deal between the British Crown and Māori chiefs. A quick walk through Waitangi provides insight into New Zealand’s history and a quick view of the relationship between the Māori and the European settlers. At the grounds, you’re likely to catch a Māori cultural performance, that will often includes singing, dancing, and demonstrations of traditional weaponry. Now, as I roamed the grounds I found that the carved meeting house, and the flagpole marking where the treaty was signed, offer really thought-provoking spots. Spending time at Waitangi gives context to New Zealand’s story, so makes it just a little deeper.

Food for Thought: Lunch Arrangements on the Tour

Lets have a look at lunch options for the tour. Most times, you will find that lunch isn’t actually built into the price of the Auckland to Bay of Islands day tour. You will more than likely have to bring a packed lunch, or simply take advantage of one of the cafe stops dotted throughout the trip. That will give you an opportunity to get your favourite meals, and often will assist with differing diets too. You should just have a little check to be 100% on the lunch deal with you tour provider before you press the BOOK button.

Is this Bay of Islands tour worth the time?

So, now comes the important bit, is it actually worth taking the Auckland to Bay of Islands tour? Well, if your a bit tight on time and really after a day out of Auckland, the this could be for you. Is allows you to see dolphins and grab a bit of NZ History all in one day. On the flip side though, the travel time is significant. I’d probably say that If you actually had more time, a slower approach to the Bay of Islands, with some overnights, would really let you discover the charm of the Bay. At the end of the day, that day trip is still a super option.

Some Suggestions

Want to have a little heads up on your Auckland to Bay of Islands day tour with dolphin cruise? Have a read here to get you prepared. Firstly, you know what I’m going to say, check the darn weather!. A sunny day will bring even more vibrance, whereas rain can put a bit of dampener, right? A rain jacket is never a bad addition, and a waterproof camera. Wear layers so you can easily adjust to the quickly changing weather. Slap on the sunscreen, the New Zealand sun is known for being strong. Bring refreshments (saves money!) and keep hydrated; New Zealand’s air is crisp. Motion sickness tablets can work wonders, especially on a choppy sea day. Most tours, I’ve found go ahead whatever the weather, but its super always worth double checking prior.

Common Questions

How early does the tour start?

Auckland to Bay of Islands Day Tours usually gets moving pretty early; generally plan on getting on the road by 7am.

Are meals included in the day tour?

I’d say more often than not lunch is at your own expense. Have a little double check with the tour company you are looking at prior to confirming.

Is it worth visiting the Bay of Islands from Auckland?

Look, it will depend on the kind of experience that you are seeking, right? For some the day trip works because its all that they can fit into the wider trip to NZ. In that respect, it will give you a quick fix.

Can children participate in the Bay of Islands tour?

By far the vast majority of Auckland to Bay of Island tours welcomes kids. However, there might be a lower age limit of just a few years of age for safety and enjoyment of other passengers.