Fullers Dolphin Cruise to the Hole in the Rock

The Bay of Islands’ Most Popular Cruise

The Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise is Fullers Bay of Islands’ flagship trip, and it’s easy to see why it’s their most popular offering. This 4.5-hour cruise covers the essential Bay of Islands experience: cruising out to the iconic Hole in the Rock at Motukōkako, looking for dolphins and marine life along the way, and stopping at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island for swimming, walking, and a break at the beachfront café.

Fullers Bay of Islands (operating as Fullers GreatSights) has been running trips in the bay for 125 years, so they know what they’re doing. Their vessels are purpose-built for these waters, with large viewing decks and air-conditioned cabins. The crew consistently gets good reviews for their commentary and local knowledge.

What You Get

The cruise departs daily from Paihia and Russell, with two departures in the warmer months (September to May) and one in winter (June to August). You cruise out through the islands and along the Cape Brett Peninsula, passing the historic Cape Brett lighthouse before reaching Motukōkako, the Hole in the Rock. When conditions allow, the boat travels underneath the rock formation. Local legend says getting dripped on by water from above brings good luck, though you’ll need to be in the right spot at the right time for that.

Fullers is one of only two operators in the Bay of Islands licensed by the Department of Conservation to view marine mammals. The crew keeps watch for dolphins throughout the cruise, and sightings are common. You might also spot whales (less common but possible), seals, and various seabirds. The commentary covers what you’re seeing, the area’s history, and information about the marine environment.

The boat stops at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island for 1.5 hours. This gives you time to swim, walk one of the island tracks, hire a kayak or paddleboard (peak season), or just relax at the beachfront Café & Bar. The island is a DOC-managed sanctuary with good walking trails and clean beaches.

One useful option: if you’re on the morning cruise, you can extend your island stay and return on a later ferry at no extra cost. You need to arrange this with Fullers beforehand (call 0800 653 339 or email info@fullersbayofislands.co.nz to confirm a later departure). This turns the cruise into more of a full-day island experience if that’s what you want.

Who Is It Good For?

This cruise works for a broad range of people, which is probably why it’s so popular. Families with children appreciate the island stop breaking up the time on the boat. International visitors looking for a comprehensive Bay of Islands experience in one trip find it efficient. The commentary is informative without being overwhelming, and the crew is experienced at dealing with all kinds of passengers.

The 4.5-hour duration is manageable for most people. It’s long enough to see the main sights without being exhausting. If you only have time for one cruise in the Bay of Islands and want to cover the highlights, this is a solid choice.

Customer reviews consistently mention the crew’s friendliness and knowledge. Fullers has a 4.6/5 rating from over 2,300 reviews, which is pretty solid for a high-volume operation. The company holds a Qualmark Gold award (Tourism New Zealand’s quality mark) and has won TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice award.

Booking Flexibility

Fullers offers flexible booking conditions. No penalty for changes or cancellations up to 24 hours before departure, which is reassuring if your travel plans are uncertain or if weather looks dodgy.

The winter schedule (June to August) drops to one departure per day, so options are more limited in the colder months. Summer (September to May) has two departures, giving more flexibility to fit the cruise around other activities.

How It Compares

This cruise is very similar to Explore Group’s Discover the Bay cruise. Both operators are licensed by DOC for marine mammal viewing, both stop at Otehei Bay, both visit the Hole in the Rock, and the duration is nearly identical. Fullers has been operating longer (125 years versus Explore Group’s 20+ years), though both are reputable. Pricing is comparable. If you’re deciding between the two, it might come down to departure times that suit your schedule or which operator has availability on your preferred day.

About this Activity

• Free cancellation – No penalty for changes or cancellations up to 24 hours before departure.
• Reserve now & pay later – Keep your travel plans flexible.
• Duration – 4 hours 30 minutes.
• Departure – Daily from Paihia and Russell. Sept-May: 8:30am & 2:00pm (Paihia), 8:40am & 2:10pm (Russell). June-Aug: 10:00am (Paihia), 10:10am (Russell).
• Suitable for – All ages and fitness levels. Family-friendly with children under 5 traveling free.

What’s Included

• 4.5-hour scenic cruise to the Hole in the Rock at Motukōkako
• Purpose-built vessel with large viewing decks and air-conditioned cabin
• Licensed marine mammal viewing (dolphins, whales, seals, birdlife)
• Skipper commentary about Bay of Islands history, wildlife, and environment
• Visit to Cape Brett Peninsula and historic lighthouse
• Travel through the Hole in the Rock when conditions permit
• 1.5-hour stop at Otehei Bay, Urupukapuka Island
• Time for swimming, walking tracks, or beach relaxation
• Kayak and paddleboard hire available on island (peak season)
• Beachfront Café & Bar at Otehei Bay
• Drinks and snacks available for purchase onboard licensed vessel
• Option to extend island stay and return on later ferry at no extra cost (morning cruise only, pre-arrangement required)
• Family passes available, children under 5 travel free

Practical Information

Season: Year-round daily departures. Two departure times in summer (September to May), one in winter (June to August). Summer months are busiest, so booking ahead is recommended.

Getting there: Departures from Paihia Wharf (8:30am & 2:00pm Sept-May, 10:00am June-Aug) and Russell Wharf (10 minutes later). Both wharves are in town centers with easy walking access. Parking available nearby.

What to bring: Warm jacket (wind and spray are factors even in summer), hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, camera, swimwear, towel, flat-soled shoes. Dress in layers as temperature changes between on-deck and in-cabin.

Hole in the Rock access: Weather and sea conditions determine whether the boat can safely travel through Motukōkako. Most days it’s possible, but the captain makes the call on the day based on safety. Alternative routes are used when necessary.

Marine mammal viewing: Dolphins are commonly spotted. Whales are less frequent but possible. Seals and various seabirds are often seen. As with all wildlife, no guarantees, but sightings are typical. Fullers is one of only two DOC-licensed marine mammal operators in the Bay of Islands.

Island stopover extension: Morning cruise passengers can stay longer on Urupukapuka Island and return on a later ferry. Contact Fullers before your cruise (0800 653 339 or info@fullersbayofislands.co.nz) to arrange this. No extra charge for the later ferry.

Food and drink: Not included in cruise price. Snacks and drinks available for purchase onboard. The Otehei Bay Café & Bar serves full meals during your island stop. Alternatively, bring your own food.

Company background: Fullers Bay of Islands (operating as Fullers GreatSights) has been running trips in the bay for 125 years. They hold a Qualmark Gold award and TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice award. The company is part of the Explore Group family of businesses.

Nearby: Combine this cruise with other Fullers tours like the Russell Mini Tour or Cape Reinga Day Tour. Combo packages are available at better rates than booking separately. Paihia and Russell both have cafés, shops, and historic sites within walking distance of the wharves.