What to do and see in Bay of Islands, North Island: The Best Sightseeing Tours

May 21, 2022 Joeann Galban

Discover the best top things to do in Bay of Islands, New Zealand including Private Shore Excursion: Full-Day Bay of Islands Tour, Scenic Escape with Winery Lunch and Glow Worm Caves, Scenic Escape with Winery Lunch, Scenic Mustang Convertible Tour with Winery Lunch, V8 Trike Tours 30 minute Bay of Islands Thriller Tour - 2 Passengers, Bay of Islands Small Group Tour & Cruise from Auckland , Private Afternoon Wine Tour of Russell, Bay of Islands, V8 Trike Tours 60 minute Bay of Islands Combo Tour - 2 Passengers, Historic Northland Private Tour, The Cream Trip - Day in the Bay.
Restaurants in Bay of Islands

1. Private Shore Excursion: Full-Day Bay of Islands Tour

Kernhem Private Tours
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5.0 based on 5 reviews

Add a special experience to your cruising holiday and see the Bay of Islands your way on this full-day, private sightseeing shore excursion tour of the region’s major attractions and highlights. You will learn a lot about the Bay, its surroundings and the whole of New Zealand and also delight in the opportunity to enjoy a Rainbow Falls river walk. Your personalized tour includes private pickups from either the port, or Paihia i-SITE!

Inclusions: Private tour, Professional guide, Transport by private vehicle, Port pickup and drop-off, Air-conditioned vehicle, Parking Fees, Bottled water

Exclusions: Entry Fees (if any)

Reviewed By Lauren B

We booked a private tour off a cruise and Slava our guide was really accomodating with us being an hour late off the ship. Obviously we had to rearrange our sightseeing but Slava was great at making sure we saw what interested us with added extras. Saw lovely waterfalls, Kerikeri Mission house, chocolate factory and more. A very enjoyable time with a knowledgeable guide. Can highly recommend this tour!

2. Scenic Escape with Winery Lunch and Glow Worm Caves

Bay of Islands i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, The Wharf, 69 Marsden Road, Paihia 0200, New Zealand Rogue Pony Experiences and Private Tours
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

Explore the historic Bay of Islands in a luxury, late model Toyota 4x4 with a maximum of 4 passengers in your group. On your private 6.5-hour guided tour you will see historic locations, spectacular waterfalls, panoramic scenery, subtropical rain forests and rural farming areas away from the crowds. Also included are a winery lunch and a visit to the Kawiti Glow Worm Caves. Your tour is adaptable with no fixed schedule, allowing you to stop for photos, ask questions, take your time or relax and talk with your local driver.

Inclusions: Wine tasting and antipasto platter at one of Northland's award winning vineyards., Air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase during lunch option)

Reviewed By Anderoo69

Mark was an awesome friendly & knowledgeable tour guide. Lots of information, showed us some sites and let us discover others ourselves. Comfy vehicle and good driving skills

3. Scenic Escape with Winery Lunch

Paihia Wharf, Bay Of Islands, Northland 0200, New Zealand Rogue Pony Experiences and Private Tours
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Explore the historic Bay of Islands in a luxury, late model Toyota 4x4 with a maximum of 4 passengers in your group. On your private 5.5-hour guided tour you will see historic locations, spectacular waterfalls, panoramic scenery, subtropical rain forests and rural farming areas away from the crowds. Included in your tour is a 1-hour winery lunch with wine tasting. Your tour is adaptable with no fixed schedule, allowing you to stop for photos, ask questions, take your time or relax and talk with your local driver.

Inclusions: Wine tasting and antipasto platter at one of Northland's award winning vineyards., Air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase during lunch)

Reviewed By Anderoo69

Mark was an awesome friendly & knowledgeable tour guide. Lots of information, showed us some sites and let us discover others ourselves. Comfy vehicle and good driving skills

4. Scenic Mustang Convertible Tour with Winery Lunch

Rogue Pony Experiences and Private Tours
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

Explore the historic Bay of Islands in a luxury, late model V8 Mustang convertible with a maximum of 3 passengers in your private group. On your 5.5-hour guided tour you will see historic locations, spectacular waterfalls, panoramic scenery, beautiful harbours, beaches and rural farming areas away from the crowds. You also stop at an award winning vineyard for a winery lunch and wine tasting. Your tour is adaptable with no fixed schedule, allowing you to stop for photos, ask questions, take your time or relax and talk with your local driver.

Inclusions: Private tour - only your group in the Mustang, Antipasto platter lucnh and wine tasting at an award winning vineryard.

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase during lunch)

Reviewed By Anderoo69

Mark was an awesome friendly & knowledgeable tour guide. Lots of information, showed us some sites and let us discover others ourselves. Comfy vehicle and good driving skills

5. V8 Trike Tours 30 minute Bay of Islands Thriller Tour - 2 Passengers

Bay of Islands i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, The Wharf, 69 Marsden Road, Paihia 0200, New Zealand Thunder Trike Tours
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5.0 based on 14 reviews

Tour is for two passengers - Wind your way from Paihia, thru native bush and valleys to the seaside marina village of Opua. Definitely more for the "Thrill Seeker" Awesome tour filled with gorgeous views, great photo opportunities and adrenaline packed thrills. Summer - bring a light sweater, sunglasses and camera Winter - bring a jacket and perhaps a beanie, sunglasses and camera All passengers including Cruise ship passengers to be outside I-Site (information centre) in Paihia 5 mins prior to departure time.

Inclusions: Guide, V8 Trike

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Reviewed By 187maxinec

Thrilling experience with a local. A great way to get around with people who know the area and who want the customer to feel welcome and special. Highly recommended no matter what your age

6. Bay of Islands Small Group Tour & Cruise from Auckland

Cheeky Kiwi Travel
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

This small group, fully guided day trip combines the best of both a nature and highlights tour together to form the ultimate Bay of Islands experience. Highlights: • Bay of Islands Cruise • Hole in the Rock • Wildlife spotting • Sites of cultural and historical significance Led by our famously passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing their stories and rich background knowledge, and run in modern, comfortable minibuses packed with extras ensuring your comfort and safety. While the destinations you will be visiting are truly spectacular, we at Cheeky Kiwi Travel believe it is our small groups, our guides, the journey and the little details that set our tours well apart. Secret stops, wildlife viewings, specially designed vehicles, complementary refreshments and many other pleasant surprises ensure our tours are an experience to remember.

Inclusions: Small Group and Fully Guided Tour, Cruise Tickets, Bottled water, Snacks, Optional extra - One-way option from Auckland to Paihia available

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By M6828DUlisao

We enjoyed this tour from start to finish. It was a fantastic day out. Our tour guide Mani was amazing. He had such a wealth of knowledge and was so friendly and involved in our whole experience. I would have to say he has been the best tour guide we have ever had. The highlight of the day was our visit to Cathedral Cove ( such a breathtaking place) and Hot Water Beach. A very different experience for us

7. Private Afternoon Wine Tour of Russell, Bay of Islands

Cass Street, Russell 0202, New Zealand Rogue Pony Experiences and Private Tours
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Explore award winning wineries of Russell in the Bay of Islands in a luxury, late model Toyota 4x4 SUV with a maximum of 4 passengers in your group. On your private 4-hour guided tour you will visit two of Russell's vineyards, one each end of the tour, and see historic locations, panoramic scenery, forests and rural farming areas away from the crowds. Your tour is adaptable with no fixed schedule, allowing you to stop for photos, ask questions, take your time or relax and talk with your local driver. Due to the seasonal opening hours of the wineries this tour is only available during the Northland summer season.

Inclusions: All wine tastings at vineyard cellar doors, Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only), Local driver/guide, Private tour- only your group in the Toyota 4x4 SUV

Exclusions: Bottled wine and beer (available to purchase during tastings)

Reviewed By Anderoo69

Mark was an awesome friendly & knowledgeable tour guide. Lots of information, showed us some sites and let us discover others ourselves. Comfy vehicle and good driving skills

8. V8 Trike Tours 60 minute Bay of Islands Combo Tour - 2 Passengers

Bay of Islands i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, The Wharf, 69 Marsden Road, Paihia 0200, New Zealand Thunder Trike Tours
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5.0 based on 99 reviews

Have awesome thrills on a V8 350 Chev Trike with a 60 minute tour from Paihia. For those that love adrenaline, experience the sense of freedom with no helmets (full seatbelts) on this beast whilst enjoying the scenic Bay of Islands. Visit Opua - a marina seaside village, Haruru Falls, and Waitangi Lookout for some memorable moments and amazing views!  A definite bucket list experience. Summer - bring a light sweater, sunglasses and camera Winter - bring a jacket and perhaps a beanie, sunglasses and camera Cruise ship passengers need to catch the free shuttle bus into Paihia (approx 5 mins) and we are located beside the bus stop and the I- Site (information centre) Price is for two travellers

Inclusions: GST (Goods and Services Tax), Local guide, Private Trike tour, Local Hotel (Paihia) pick up available on 1 hour Combo tours - otherwise outside I-Site, Paihia, Hand sanitizer

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Reviewed By louiseshields89

We loved it. Weather was amazing and tour guide very knowledgeable. Definitely recommend visitors to try out this awesome activity.

9. Historic Northland Private Tour

Paihia Wharf, Bay Of Islands, Northland 0200, New Zealand Rogue Pony Experiences and Private Tours
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4.9 based on 8 reviews

With a focus on the 1845 Northland Wars, this private guided tour is an excellent choice for those interested in the missionary history of the area. Explore the back country roads of the Bay of Islands in a luxury, late model Toyota SUV with a maximum of 4 passengers in your group included in the price. Your tour is adaptable with no fixed schedule, allowing you to stop for photos, ask questions, take your time or relax and talk with your local driver.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board

Exclusions: Food and drinks (available to purchase at stops along the way)

Reviewed By Anderoo69

Mark was an awesome friendly & knowledgeable tour guide. Lots of information, showed us some sites and let us discover others ourselves. Comfy vehicle and good driving skills

10. The Cream Trip - Day in the Bay

Fullers GreatSights, Maritime Building 69 Marsden Road, Paihia 2020, New Zealand Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands Day Tours
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4.8 based on 139 reviews

Enjoy a Bay of Islands cruise on the region's only authentic Cream Trip; a 100-year-old tradition of delivering mail and supplies to island residents. Climb aboard a multi-level catamaran and venture out to sea with a knowledgeable crew to inform you along the way. See idyllic bays, Marsden Cross, local homes and natural landmarks like the Hole in the Rock at Cape Brett. Cruising through some 144 islands, be sure to watch out for whales, seals and other marine wildlife. Experience a unique local island by taking a walk or relaxing on the beach and climb in the boom net if you're looking for a thrill. The Cream Trip is the perfect cruise for nature lovers, and the most extensive historical cruise in the Bay.

Inclusions: Luxury air-conditioned catamaran, Live commentary on board, Island Stopover, Boom Net, WIFI

Exclusions: Gratuities, Lunch (lunch must be pre-ordered at least 24 hours prior to your departure), Food and drinks (drinks and limited snacks are available to purchase on board)

Reviewed By Wayne M

enjoyable trip on a sunny day, great scenery. little disappointed the coffee shop wasn't open for the lunch break on the island but very handy being picked up from russell where we were staying.

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