3-Day Bay of Islands Tour from Auckland

Recommended by 91% of travelers

Auckland, New Zealand

3 days (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Explore the Bay of Islands’ rocky islets and pristine beaches on a 3-day tour from Auckland. This comprehensive tour through Northland includes a visit to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds to discover Maori history; a drive along Ninety Mile Beach to Cape Reinga, the northernmost point of New Zealand; a boat cruise through the Cape Brett Hole in the Rock; and a sightseeing tour of historic Russell. Enjoy two nights’ overnight accommodation before returning by coach to Auckland.

Three-day Bay of Islands tour from Auckland
Visit the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Scenic drive through Puketi Kauri Forest
Visit New Zealand's northernmost point at Cape Reinga
Cruise through the famous Hole in the Rock
Tour of historic Russell
Two nights' accommodation in Paihia
Hotel pickup and drop off from Auckland

What's Included

Lunch
Hotel pickup and drop-off from Auckland
Transportation by air-conditioned coach
Commentary by local guide
2-nights accommodation in the Bay of Islands
Hole in the Rock' Cruise (weather permitting)
Russell township tour

Food and drinks, unless specified
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Please advise if your hotel is located outside the pick up area and we will provide you a meeting location for pick up and drop offs.

Operating hours
.6:30 am

Itinerary

Day 1

Auckland – Bay of Island

3 Stops

Paihia (Pass By)

Russell

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Cruise to the Hole in the Rock

4 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Accommodation: Kingsgate Hotel or similar

Meals: Not included

Day 2

Day Two: Cape Reinga Day Excursion

3 Stops

Manginangina Kauri Walk

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Ninety Mile Beach (Pass By)

Cape Reinga

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Accommodation: Kingsgate Hotel or similar

Meals: Lunch

Day 3

Bay of Islands – Auckland

2 Stops

Waitangi Treaty Grounds

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Auckland Central

3 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Accommodation: Not included

Meals: Not included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation

Infants must sit on laps
Most travelers can participate
Independent touring - this is not a group tour - we use local suppliers & you will have a different coach & driver each day.
Please note that the coach from Auckland to Paihia and return is an intercity coach (full size tour coach, however, with little to no commentary)
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 6 days in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Reviews

4.4

based on 43 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Cyclone didn’t dampen trip

Justine_B, Apr 2026

I managed to do everything on the itinerary despite the looming cyclone. They even added a taxi so I didn’t get caught in the rain. The little touches were appreciated.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

We appreciate your thoughts and comments and thank you for mentioning the small touches. We do our level best when it looks like the weather is not going to play ball. You dodged it nicely!

A good tour but know that much is DIY

Rhoda_G, Feb 2026

A good tour but it’s very DIY. This is not a traditional tour. You will be responsible for getting yourself to the hotel from the public bus, and back to the ferry for the beginning of the tour. You will also have to buy your ferry ticket.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Yes you are correct - we organise the various components and you have to keep to the timetable to make the components work. Watch this space for some new and improved options for the upcoming season.

The tours were fabulous....

Sharon_B, Dec 2025

The tours were fabulous. Be prepared to be hustled by transport but it’s likely to run behind time. Accommodation was incredibly fabulous. Location awesome.

Response from Host, Dec 2025

Brilliant review - thank you.

The tours were conducted...

Dawnn_C, Dec 2025

The tours were conducted by experienced tour guides, done professionally and was entertaining. Though there was a cancellation due to weather, Leisure Tours was able to reschedule so that I could experience Cape Reigna, 90 mile beach & the Hole in Rock cruise. Views were awesome!

Response from Host, Dec 2025

Wow such a fabulous review. Thank you. Pleased we were able to help to create a cool experience for you when the weather made life challenging.

A perect little getaway

Karen_W, Dec 2025

Let someone else do the driving so you can enjoy the journey and not worry about having to book wverything separately.

Response from Host, Dec 2025

Exactly! I could not have put it better myself.

Varied, full program

Malcolm_W, Apr 2025

Excellent content. Varied, full experience - cruise, bus tour to Cape Reinga and guided tour of Waitangi Treaty Ground

Response from Host, Apr 2025

Thank you for taking the time to submit your review which are valuable to us to ensure we meet and where possible exceed our customers expectations. We do hope that you will have the opportunity to visit New Zealand again in the not too distant future.

Bay of islands is...

Georgina_M, Mar 2025

Bay of Islands is beautiful. Russell is such a pretty town. The bus up was 30 mins late and there is no time factored in for lunch after leaving Auckland at such an early hour. It was not in the itinerary that we would spend over 2 hrs on the beach which was very disappointing as I had not brought swimwear. On the return to Auckland the bus again was 30 mins late and there was no pickup taxi waiting. This wasn't too much of a problem for me because my hotel was nearby but I would be an issue if your hotel was further away. While the scenery was beautiful if I was to do this trip again I would organise it myself.

Response from Host, Mar 2025

Easy to follow the program

jacolien_w, Jan 2025

Easy to follow the program . You experience all the highlights of The Bay Of Islands Very good spot to go see The hotel was excellent with a nice view

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Kiaora Jacolien and thank you for leaving a review. I am pleased tonhear that you enjoyed your tours with us!

Beautiful memories

Fiona_C, Sep 2024

I totally enjoyed the whole experience. The hotel I stayed in was excellent and the people were very kind.. I was very lucky the weather was so good the day tour around the Bay of Islands. X

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Kiaora Fiona and thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We are glad that you enjoyed your tour with us!

Beautiful Bay Tour

Carol_G, Mar 2024

Busy trip, but a good trip. They organized it well.Everything went according to plan. Really enjoyed the Hole in Rock cruise and saw pod of dolphins putting on a show for us.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Kiaora Carol and thanks for leaving a review. I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed your day with us!

Excellent

Jann_M, Jan 2024

A series of tours put together. Instructions easy to follow from point to point. It worked like clockwork.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Kiaora Jann and thanks for leaving a review. I'm pleased to hear that you enjoyed your tours with us!

Good trip

Gary_H, Dec 2019

We visited the quaint town of Paihia. The bus trip to Cape Reinga was very interesting. We had lunch early because of the tide. After lunch we went onto Reinga to see the lighthouse and the meeting of the pacific ocean and tasman sea. We then went to the dunes and the 90 miles beach ride. We then went back to Paihia. On the Wednesday we went on a boat trip to the hole in the rock. We could not go through it as the weather was not good. We saw some dolphins on the way back. Landed at Russell and went on a mini trip to see Russell. Very interesting. Left Paihia to get back to Auckland

Response from Host, Dec 2019

Thanks for the great review of your 3 Day Bay of Islands Trip from Auckland. I'm pleased you enjoyed all the activities on your itinerary and got so see this beautiful part of the country. Have a great day and I hope you get to visit New Zealand and the North Island again soon!

Great trip

Donald_L, Nov 2019

We had a great day today on the trip up to the top of New Zealand. Particularly fascinated by the drive on the beach

Response from Host, Dec 2019

Thanks for the awesome review of your 3 Day Bay of Islands Tour from Auckland, Laurie. I'm really pleased you had such a nice time. I hope you have enjoyed your time in New Zealand and get to return to this beautiful country again soon!

If you like long bus rides

Carolyn_K, May 2019

The first day of this trip was fine, with ample time to explore the town of Paihia after a scenic bus ride. The second day had us on a bus for close to 12 hours with very short 20 minute stops to see the kauri forest, 90 mile beach, Cape Reinga, etc. The weather was dreadful which of course was out of the tour operator’s control. However, we had a flat tire in the morning and it took 1 1/2 hours to get a new bus. The driver did not plan for reasonably spaced comfort stops. The most exciting part of the day was sand boarding on the dunes. There was no suggestion in the information about bringing clean dry clothes to change into. On the third day we had a lovely boat ride with a great captain through the bay to the Hole in the Rock.

Loved it!

Andrea_Z, Aug 2018

All 3 days of our trip were planned and executed perfectly. The tour company hires exceptional guides that give commentary throughout the travels. You learn and have a boat load of fun all three days. Highlight is the 90 mile beach, sand surfing (yes, anyone can do this as long as you can climb up the hill!), and dolphin cruise to Hole in the Rock. We unfortunately couldn't get all the way to Hole in the Rock due to the high winds, but the boat ride around the islands was enough, and we had the beautiful opportunity to see dolphins in their natural habitat. They were such playful creatures! Highly recommend the 3 days. Only downfall was doing this in August - just a bit too cold to fully appreciate all of New Zealand's beauty.

We started with bus trip from...

Dianne F, Mar 2018

We started with bus trip from Auckland to Pi. Driver was a substitute, 45 minutes late picking us up, not very happy to be driving. He come around by the time we finally arrived in Paihia. Very nice as he dropped us at the treaty sight for our tour. He went back and dropped out bags at our hotel, then picked us took us to our hotel. Our treaty sight guide was a Maori decedent, very knowledgeable, funny. Glad he had the job rather than someone of European ancestry. We visited sand dunes, husband really enjoyed the trips down the dunes on a boogie board. Visited light house at the north end. Saw many dolphins hanging out around a couple of cruise ships. We spent what time was allowed watching them. Our ferry guide gave us some great insight, having been around when the babies were born, she had been able to name one or two of them. We had a calm cruise to hole in the rock and enjoyed a delicious BBQ chicken, pork at a nice picnic spot in a secluded bay on the way back, a little too cold to swim in late Feb but the beach was very nice. The bus driver on the way back to Auckland was a character. Gave no commentary, I guess we were supposed to have had that on the ride up.

If you are looking forward to Gum...

BK_H, Jan 2018

If you are looking forward to Gum Digger's Park with a guided tourentry included don't count on it. I did and was disappointed to learn from the Explore NZ that they don't do it any more. Then why was it also included in the detailed itinerary I received two days prior?

Was glad I booked this tour. It does...

Alicia B, Jan 2018

Was glad I booked this tour. It does involve some travel time between destinations (on a decent coach) but it was well worth it to see some beautiful and memorable parts of NZ. All staff were incredibly helpful and friendly.

Enjoyed the bay of islands tour very...

Roberta C, Dec 2017

Enjoyed the bay of islands tour very much. Just some constructive critism. After numerous attempts to find accommodation at pick up hotels we had to book a hotel near airport. Costing us 98 NZ dollars where everyone else were picked up to come to bus station. This se med rather unfair and added unnecessary expense to our budget. Perhaps a refund as a gesture would be considered. Felt it would have been wonderful if the trip to treaty ground in piahia could have been at the same time as a Mouri performance. But the. Guide was excellent, The second day bus journey was very long and rushed at times But. Understandably as the trips were worth it. Guide again Daniel was excellent, would recommend this as a trip to see the wonderful sights of the bay of islands.

This tour was our first experience...

ValerieJ_R, Oct 2017

This tour was our first experience with Viatour and we'll definitely use them again! The 3-Day Bay of Islands Trip to the northern tip of New Zealand's North Island was fantastic! It exceeded our expectations for spectacular scenery and extraordinary experiences. Our bus driver/guide, Ariel, on our day trip to Cape Reinga was an expert driver and very knowledgeable - plus he was lots of fun and made sure that we all enjoyed the drive on the 90-Mile Beach! The cruise in the Bay of Islands was another highlight. All the local arrangements were well-planned and organized so we did not have any problems in following the individualized itinerary.

Stunning trip. Great coach drivers...

Penny G, Nov 2016

Stunning trip. Great coach drivers super friendly service

In theory, the tours were great...

AndrewMichael_S, Aug 2016

In theory, the tours were great- but.. After pick up from our hotel, we were instructed to walk up three blocks with our luggage to meet our connecting bus as it's faster. We assumed the pick up time would be reliant upon us getting transported the whole way despite saving time for the driver. Our driver had no idea who was looking after our itinerary after we arrived. Finally his company called another company and found that they were responsible for the next two days. Eventually our luggage was delivered to our hotel but they delivered the wrong bags.

Fabulous! Each day was different and...

Rachel P, Jan 2016

Fabulous! Each day was different and with a different company. However it was well organized and a lot of fun. I loved doing 3 days instead of just one so we could slow down and take in the sights in Pahia. We thought it was too much to do in just one day. 90 mile Beach and going to the light house in Cape Regina were the highlights for us.

The tour was very enjoyable and...

maureenbowers, Dec 2015

The tour was very enjoyable and informative. Everything was organised well and the coach drivers were particularly helpful. The north of the island has spectacular scenery and the trip to Cape Reinga was unmissable.

Great tour, great people on tour from...

Jeff D, Nov 2015

Great tour, great people on tour from all over the world!

We only had 4 days and this tour was...

Simone Kathleen S, Nov 2015

We only had 4 days and this tour was perfect. We saw and covered so much that we could not have if we did on our on in that time. The drivers, tour guides were amazing, organised and professional, but most of all fun! Accommodation was clean and the staff were lovely. I can't say enough good things about my three day tour in the beautiful Bay of Islands. I would highly recommend this tour if you don't have a lot of time, but want to make the most of the time you have.

This was an excellent trip, well...

Chris B, Oct 2015

This was an excellent trip, well organized, full of surprises and real value for money. The Scenic Hotel was excellent as were the breakfasts. The drive along the sands is a keeper as is the tour of Russell. Overall, most enjoyable and I would defiantly recommend it to friends.

The whole tour was amazing and...

marie.strong, Apr 2015

The whole tour was amazing and superb value for money. Everyone involved was so helpful and enthusiastic and there was such a wide range of different activities involved. The accommodation in the Bay of Islands was superb and there was just the right amount of downtime. We thought that if anything you undersold it on the website.

Shuttle pick up from Auckland hotel...

Robert N, Mar 2013

Shuttle pick up from Auckland hotel and return was very efficient and did not involve coach going to every hotel in city. Hotel in Bay of Islands was good, nice pool, friendly staff and easy walk to restaurants and ferries. Delivery and collection of luggage to hotel worked extremely well. Tours were all excellent.Loved the trip to Cape Reinga and 90 mile beach. Driver/guide was excellent and spent time showing party how to board down the dunes safely. Boat trip to Hole in the Rock and Russell Town were very enjoyable and we loved seeing so many Dolphins. Excellent value and well worth doing. Many thanks.