Bay of Islands Cruise: Fast Boat to Hole in the Rock

Experience the fastest boat to the Hole in the Rock. Enjoy thrilling speeds, stunning views, and wildlife on this 1.5-hour Bay of Islands adventure.

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Motukokako Island / Piercy Island - Visit the dramatic cliffs of the Cape Brett Peninsula and travel through the iconic Hole in the Rock on Motukōkako, conditions permitting
    Enter the amazing Cathedral Cove if conditions permit
  • Urupukapuka Island - Learn about some of the history and unique geography of Bay of Islands and with stops to take…
What's Included
  • Travel to Motukokako Island (The Hole in the Rock) and return to Paihia. 1hr 30mins duration
  • Entertaining Commentary from your Skipper
  • Wet weather jackets included (if required)
  • Lifejackets included
What's Not Included
  • Bottled water
  • Hotel pick ups not included
  • Lunch, Snacks and Beverages
Additional Information

Ocean Adventure offers the quickest route to the Hole in the Rock, blending excitement and exploration with a perfect mix of speed and adventure. The journey includes stops to observe wildlife, learn about the Bay of Islands, and capture memorable photos. Ideal for families and thrill-seekers, it provides the excitement of racing across the water while…

Location
69A Marsden Road
Marsden Road
Check in at the Maritime Building at the end of the Paihia Wharf for your safety briefing.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(40 Ratings)
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1 star
Eliselr7570sr
Feb 24, 2026
Loads of fun - Amazing fun, great skipper and was really a bonus to get some local knowledge as well as having an exciting jet boat ride
Review provided by Tripadvisor
630milesm
Feb 1, 2026
Great time - We had a really fun time, we were lucky enough to see sunfish and dolphins! Going through the hole was a surreal experience. Our guide/driver was very informative and drove well!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fearless29151907375
Jan 16, 2026
Had a great experience with family also the skipper was super friendly. - Amazing experience . Recommended for a quick trip in the bay. Hole in the rock tour along with the jet bait experience was amazing. Thanks Ocean Adventures
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mark_p
Jan 12, 2026
a great time - a great experience, our family had a great time (especially 2 teens), our guide was awesome and took his time to explain everything to us. i would recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Jamie_c
Jan 8, 2026
A must do activity if you’re a thrill seeker - This was one of our top 5 favorite activities during our 3 week trip to New Zealand. Definitely for the thrill seekers. Loved the music and we even got lucky with a dolphin pod who followed us! Really fun and with it! When looking at all the other boats around I kept thinking we were on the best boat for a thrilling sightseeing adventure
Review provided by Viator
Lisasq7313se
Dec 26, 2025
Great day trip - We had an awesome day and our driver was amazing. We would definitely do again if we come back to Paihia. Very easy to get there from cruise ship as well.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Craig_j
Oct 19, 2025
Excellent day out - Great day, the skipper was very knowledgeable and gave great commentary . Being so close to something so amazing Waz truly magical.
Review provided by Viator
852juliettek
Apr 14, 2025
Wild wave ride - Best experience! It was raining and the sea was rough but we had so much fun! Amazing scenery and super friendly staff. Highly recommended
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shawnme4304ag
Feb 11, 2026
Not suitable for guests over 120kg - "Not suitable for guests over 120kg in weight due to the hydraulic seating" ... I wish this was more prominent when booking. I eventually found it in the additional information ... would have saved me the embarrassment. I couldn't go and was refunded accordingly ... the family had a great time though
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Markcv3346av
Jan 6, 2026
Great Tour/ Poor Customer Service - I visited Explore today while in the Bay of Islands on a cruise ship and had an extremely poor customer service experience with one staff member that significantly detracted from what should have been a great day. In the morning, I went into the Explore office to enquire about tours available that day. I was told by a staff member named Mahina that the only option was a Hole in the Rock catamaran tour, lasting approximately two and a half hours. Given that I was visiting on a cruise ship with limited time, I asked follow-up questions about the tour and about the Bay of Islands in general. Her response was rude, dismissive, and patronising, making me feel as though I was an inconvenience rather than a paying customer. Due to her attitude, I left and went across the road to the information centre. There, I was immediately offered a jet boat tour also going to the Bay of Islands lasting around an hour and a half, which was far more suitable for my schedule, significantly more exciting, and cheaper. Crucially, this tour was also operated by Explore, directly contradicting what I had been told earlier. There was no cancellation in the few minutes it took me to walk across the road, making it clear that this option existed all along and was either not checked or deliberately withheld. When I returned at 12:00 to join the tour, Mahina was again unprofessional and condescending. She repeatedly asked me, three times, whether I needed to go to the bathroom, speaking to me in a manner more appropriate for a child than an adult customer. Her tone and behaviour throughout the boarding process were dismissive and unnecessary. To be clear, the tour itself was excellent. The captain was professional and engaging, the experience was well run, and the value for money was there. The Bay of Islands is spectacular, and the tour delivered exactly what it promised. However, the conduct of this staff member reflects poorly on the company and should be addressed. Explore offers a great product, but this experience demonstrated a serious lapse in basic customer service and professionalism.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $88
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).