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Dolphin and Wildlife Cruise - Half Day

4.5
133
Deals from $86.50 Save $88.50 Check dates nowsystem_update_alt
Your Half Day Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise begins as you’re welcomed aboard the Bay Explorer at the Tauranga waterfront!

Your Half Day Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise begins as you’re welcomed aboard the Bay Explorer at the Tauranga waterfront!

Highlights

  • A half day cruise on our spacious boat with 360° outdoor views from the largest open-air wildlife watching sun deck
  • Explore Tauranga’s amazing marine wildlife – penguins, seals, dolphins, whales, sunfish, school fish, seabirds, sharks and orca
  • Cold beer and chilled regional wine from our full licensed bar (Eftpos available)
  • Onboard commentary and references with facts on the Bay and local marine wildlife

We spend the morning exploring the pristine Bay of Plenty harbour and beyond, searching for marine wildlife which may include seabirds, penguins, seals, whales, sunfish, school fish, sharks, orca, and dolphins swimming along with our vessel. Our awesome Captain and crew will be pointing out all that they see so you won’t miss a thing!

Don’t forget your camera as we are able to get up close to wildlife, making it a photographer’s dream.

Your experienced Captain and crew will provide a fascinating commentary on the history, geography and culture of the area. They have knowledge of marine wildlife and personally share with you everything they observe. Books and references are on board to enhance your experience.

You will be back in Tauranga with enough time to explore our beautiful region! Don’t miss this premier Bay of Plenty half day dolphin and wildlife adventure!

Adult $175.00
Child $65.00 (6 -12 years)
Infant $25.00 (5 years and under)
Family $480.00 (2x Adults + 2x Children )

Duration

  • Allow approximately 6 hours for the whole experience

Location

  • Departure: Corner of Wharf Street & The Strand, Tauranga 3110

Child Friendly

  • This experience welcomes families with children.

Notes

  • CHECK-IN AND DEPARTURE: You must check-in at 8:30am (allow time in traffic and for parking). Departure is from The Strand, Tauranga daily at 9:00am returning between 1.00pm and 2.00pm.

    Parking available down The Strand water front down Dive Crescent We operate seven days a week weather permitting. Should weather conditions prohibit open ocean cruising, then we will postpone to another date, or offer a refund.


  • Child price applicable for ages 6-12 years. Infant is 5 years and under.

    Guests must please bring their own lunch or snacks. There is a fully licensed bar so you can chill out and soak up the atmosphere over a chilled regional wine or a refreshing beer. Non-alcoholic beverages are also available.

    This is a wildlife cruise, dolphin sightings are not guaranteed and no refunds will be given if there are no dolphin sightings.



Available Bookings from 19 Mar to 1 Apr 2024

Change Dates

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Tue 19 Mar
Wed 20 Mar
Thu 21 Mar
Fri 22 Mar
Sat 23 Mar
Sun 24 Mar
Mon 25 Mar
Tue 26 Mar
Wed 27 Mar
Thu 28 Mar
Fri 29 Mar
Sat 30 Mar
Sun 31 Mar
Mon 1 Apr

  • Adult$150.00
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant$25.00
  • Family $384.00

  • Adult$100.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant$25.00
  • Family $384.00

  • Adult$100.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant$25.00
  • Family $384.00

  • Adult$145.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant$25.00
  • Family $384.00

  • Adult$122.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant$25.00
  • Family $384.00

  • Adult$86.50 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant$25.00
  • Family $384.00

  • Adult$100.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant$25.00
  • Family $384.00

  • Adult$150.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant$25.00
  • Family $384.00

  • Adult$145.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant$25.00
  • Family $384.00

  • Adult$105.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$65.00
  • Infant$25.00
  • Family $384.00

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

4.5

133 reviews

Showing all 133 authenticated Bookme reviews

dalem1 from New Zealand wrote on 16 January 2023

Desperately seeking dolphins

After a rope start feeling seasick ans not seeing anything for hours, we had the wonderful experience of seeing a huge pod of dolphins who were eager to please. Such an amazing experience. Massive thanks to Brandon and Josh who perservered and made our dream come true.

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Lucy from United Kingdom wrote on 27 January 2021

A beautiful day at sea

What an amazing way to spend a day in the bay of plenty. Cruising the sea looking for nature. Brendon and the team did an excellent job. We saw and travelled with a huge pod of dolphins (about 80). No luck with spotting any penguins or orca but nothing is guaranteed in the wilderness. Well worth it.

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Gagan Kaur from New Zealand wrote on 27 February 2023

Great

Amazing crew. Had a lovely trip

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richardw17 from New Zealand wrote on 16 February 2023

Shit experience

Absolute crap worst experience on a boat probably put my children off going on a boat for life, the skipper should never have gone out and we still haven't seen any wildlife really disappointed. Unfortunately I had to give 1 star to carry on

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From Dolphin and Wildlife Cruise - Half Day

Thanks but guess we need to clarify.. You did not listen to the crew, your experience ( as your children were seasick) is not a reflection of the skippers or the crew of the experience we offer. Firstly you are asked to take precautions such as motion sickness tablets or .wrist bands if you are susceptible to motion sickness. You did not prepare. We even offer sea sickness tablets on board for those that did not prepare or are unsure of their personal susceptibility ! You were briefed at check-in and at the crew briefing that the swell was only minimum ( .5 m yes that’s 500mm) but windy and would be bumpy) you then sat downstairs with the kids after being briefed to get air upstairs and watch the horizon if feeling unwell. Look we understand how having sea sick kids can be a tough time for a mum but we also ask for parents to take the time to prepare or skip to another day when cautioned of wind or wave action. It was safe and we never cruise without considering safety. Unfortunately different personal ability to deal with the foreign environment of the open ocean can lead to sea sickness but that is not something the crew can manage .. it’s an open ocean environment and the sea is very different and moving all the time.. We offered to take your family again but understand you are adamant that we are to blame as opposed to seeing our business as an opportunity to experience the ocean realm again and that again is your choice. We hope you get back out sometime some place and be prepared.. some people get motion seasickness on the calmest of days.. it’s nothing to do with age, race, body type etc.. All the best Bay Explorer crew

fatehveersinghs from New Zealand wrote on 19 January 2022

Brilliant!!!

Friendly crew. I loads of Dolphins to see. Kids loved it too.5/5

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From Dolphin and Wildlife Cruise - Half Day

Thanks so much. The day was a goodie!! From memory 4 pods of dolphins and all different behaviours in each group.. One of those days when dolphins are everywhere. Made special by a really great group of customers that really participated Thank you from the Bay Explorer crew enjoy 2022

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