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travel_explore
Rotorua & Taupo Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!tune
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!
All prices are shown in NZD ($)
- Adult$175.00
- Child$65.00
- Infant$25.00
- Family $480.00
- Adult$150.00 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$105.00 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
- Adult$105.00 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$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
Authenticated Reviews & Photos All of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme
Showing all 134 authenticated Bookme reviews
From Dolphin and Wildlife Cruise - Half Day
Hi Laureen It was a hard day out with the winds, however everyone was briefed at checkin that it would be a windy and bumpy day.. also that was reiterated in the crew briefing before departure. We make every effort to advise people to take motion sickness medication in all our correspondence emails which we assume you did not read ! There were some customers that suffered from motion sickness and it’s unpleasant experience, however it was a few people not half the boat as described .. Our customers are always updated on weather conditions you had the option not to participate, I’m sure it was a translation problem as you are French. We hope you have a chance to try out in nature again Thanks Bay Explorer crew
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.
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.
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
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
Gagan Kaur from New Zealand wrote on 27 February 2023
Great
Amazing crew. Had a lovely trip
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Laureen SENETERRE from France wrote on 27 January 2023
Déçue
Très mauvaise expérience pour moi mais qui est que personnelle. Les guides étant adorables et ayant tout fait pour nous être serviable. Nous n'avons vu aucun dauphins ni aucun animal car il y avait trop de vent et la mer beaucoup trop agité. La moitié du bateau était malade, moi y compris c'était pas une parti de plaisir ! Beaucoup trop long quand on est malade et qu'en plus on ne voit aucun dauphins. Ce n'est pas de leur faute, c'est juste que pour moi si j'avais su, je ne l'aurais pas fait.