Top Tauranga On the Water

The vibrant blue-green waters of Tauranga Harbour are home to some of the area’s most popular sights. Relax aboard a two-deck boat on this boat cruise as you explore the harbor, taking in ocean views and the area’s beaches, forests, islands, and village settlements, contrasted by scenes of the Grand Kaimai mountain range and Mount Maunganui in the distance.

Get active and enjoy New Zealand’s natural beauty on a kayak or canoe tour of Lake McLaren, near Tauranga. See native wildlife and learn about the ecosystem from your guide—something you'd miss on your own. Paddle along the tranquil lakeshore and through Mangapapa Canyon, admiring places you couldn’t reach any other way. Hotel pickup is available for added convenience. Cruise-ship passengers board an 18-seater canoe; other travelers use kayaks.

Get up close to wild dolphins in their natural habitat during a half-day dolphin cruise from Tauranga. You can watch from the boat or interact with these playful marine mammals as you swim and snorkel alongside them in the water. Hear informative live commentary and enjoy hot drinks on board. The tour operates during the summer months from November to May.

This half-day shore excursion from Tauranga offers a relaxed tour of the Bay of Plenty’s highlights, including fresh kiwifruit and manuka honey tastings. Travel through scenic farmland and native rainforest in McLaren Falls Park, visit historic sites such as Gate Pa Memorial Reserve, and enjoy hokey pokey-flavored ice cream. The tour includes round-trip port transfers and a stop at a cottage cafe for a freshly baked muffin and coffee.

- Learn to surf at Mount Maunganui, New Zealand’s most iconic and beginner-friendly beach. - Enjoy small group sizes (max 8) for personalised guidance from expert, certified instructors. - Perfect for beginners, with step-by-step lessons in a safe, fun, and supportive environment. - All equipment provided, including surfboard and wetsuit—just bring swimwear and a towel. - Gain ocean awareness and master essential techniques, from paddling to standing on your board. - Create unforgettable memories as you connect with the ocean and ride your first waves. - Experience the thrill of surfing while surrounded by stunning coastal scenery.

See the highlights of Rotorua on a full-day shore excursion from Tauranga. Travel to one of New Zealand’s most famous places, Rotorua. Spend the day exploring the otherworldly geothermal landscapes, visiting the Pohutu Geyser at Whakarewarewa, towering redwood trees, and the beautifully manicured Government Gardens. Also receive a traditional welcome at a Māori cultural village, and more. Guaranteed return to your ship at the end of the day.

Experience the unique and special natural beauty of Rotorua, the geothermal hot spot of New Zealand, just 1 hour's drive from Tauranga. Learn about the geothermal features and its use by the Maori people, the first to settle in New Zealand over 800 years ago. Entry is not included to the private geothermal reserves, but we do see boiling mud pools, crystal clear bubbling hot springs and volcanic lakes. Relax at the foot bathing pools in Kuirau Park, (towels provided) after a short walk to see the bubbling mud and steaming lakes. Whakarewarewa Village is our stop for a snack lunch, here you can take a peek at the village (entry not incl.) before our final stop, the Redwoods Forrest. Here we take a short, guided tour through a purpose-built Glow Worm Cave, then a walk among the treetops on a network of easy-to-use rope swing bridges, with access by a gentle spiral ramp, no steps are needed. The tour start time will be confirmed when your booking is accepted by us.

What sets this SUP Adventure apart is the opportunity to connect with our local Māori instructors and hear stories of our ancestors, their traditions, and how they lived on Mount Maunganui. Guests paddle along the coastline, explore a nearby beach, and take a short guided walk on Mauao while learning about the local environment and our values of caring for the land and sea. This combination of activity, storytelling, and cultural insight creates a personal, meaningful, and memorable coastal adventure.

- Tackle the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall, the 7m Tutea Falls - 14 thrilling rapids and three epic waterfalls in total - Suitable for whitewater rafting enthusiasts and first-timers alike - Immerse yourself in the rich Māori cultural significance of the river - Stunning native bush scenery along the steep canyon walls - Professional guides and top-tier river equipment provided for safety and fun - Ideal for adventurers seeking the perfect mix of culture, nature, and excitement - Courtesy Transport

- Discounted Family rates. - Small group sizes (max 8) with expert, certified instructors ensuring a safe experience. - Tailored for ages 10+, and all skill levels - making it perfect for beginners and kids alike. - All equipment provided, including boards and wetsuits—just bring swimwear and a towel. - Learn ocean safety and master basics like paddling and standing on the board together. - Bond as a family while creating fun, unforgettable memories in the surf. - Soak in stunning coastal views as you share the joy of catching your first waves. - Widely regarded as the safest place to learn to surf in New Zealand. - Ideally situated right next to the best beach in the area. - Coaches with years of experience.

Relax sit back to take in interesting and informative commentary about the harbour, region, local legends and history. The ancient Maori Legend of Mount Maunganui is retold as we cruise past the icons base. See the Statue of Tangaroa as he guards the Harbour entrance & learn of his place in Maori folk law. Cross the entrance of Te Awanui, (Tauranga harbour). Tuck into the picturesque shores of Matakana Island, the third largest island of the north. Continue through Tauranga harbours two inner islands, natural history, and orchards. Through the western channel to Sulphur point, and its relation to our active volcano. Tauranga port and industry working up close, with interesting facts on exports, history and ships.

What sets our SUP experience apart is the chance to connect with local Māori instructors and learn from their perspective. Guests enjoy a welcoming, supportive environment, experience our care for the land and sea, and gain insight into the values that guide us — creating a personal, meaningful, and culturally rich adventure.

What sets this Waka Ama experience apart is the opportunity to connect with local Māori instructors while learning the basics of paddling and teamwork in a Waka Ama (outrigger canoe). Guests enjoy a welcoming, supportive environment, making it an easy and confidence-building way to cruise the ocean — perfect for those who may be nervous on the water. Along the way, instructors share the history of Waka Ama and voyaging, insights into Māori culture, and the values of caring for the land and sea, creating a personal, meaningful, and culturally rich adventure.

What sets this Waka Ama Adventure apart is the opportunity to connect with our local Māori instructors and hear stories of our ancestors, their traditions, and the history of Waka Ama and voyaging. Guests paddle together as a crew along the coastline, explore a nearby beach, and take a short guided walk on Mauao while learning about the local environment and our values of caring for the land and sea. This combination of teamwork, activity, storytelling, and cultural insight creates a personal, meaningful, and memorable coastal adventure.

Go white-water rafting on the Kaituna River for a thrilling outing from Rotorua. Your guide leads you on an action-packed ride down 11 rapids and Tutea Falls, the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall at 23 feet (7 meters). This rafting trip takes place in a gorgeous jungle canyon and is suitable for active people, with no prior rafting experience required.