2025 Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Award

2024 Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Award

2023 Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Award

Auckland Bay of Islands North Island Tours

Bay of Islands & Paihia 2 Day Tour & Cruise with accommodation

Name: Bay of Islands & Paihia 2 Day Tour & Cruise with accommodation
Brand: Cheeky Kiwi Travel
Price: 899 NZD
Availability: InStock

From NZD$899

4.9

(41 reviews)

Departs from: Auckland

Duration: 36 hours

Start Booking Now

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Join Cheeky Kiwi Travel for a two-day journey through the subtropical beauty and cultural heart of Northland. Explore the birthplace of New Zealand, marvel at ancient kauri forests, and cruise the pristine waters of the Bay of Islands on this small group, fully guided tour. With comfortable Mercedes-Benz transport, expert local guides, and handpicked experiences, this adventure perfectly blends history, nature, and relaxation for an unforgettable getaway.

Why you’ll love this

Cruise the world-famous Bay of Islands, including the Hole in the Rock

Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds for a guided tour and cultural performance

Stand before Tane Mahuta, New Zealand’s largest living kauri tree

Stay overnight at a well appointed hotel in Paihia with time to relax and explore

Travel in comfort with a small group and enjoy snacks, stories, and secret stops

Itinerary

What’s included

Accommodation in Paihia (single occupancy surcharge will be applicable to solo travelers)

Fully guided small group tour

Waitangi Treaty Grounds guided tour and cultural performance

4.5-hour Bay of Islands cruise including Hole in the Rock

Entry to the Kauri Museum and Waipoua Forest visit

Snacks and bottled water

Comfortable Mercedes-Benz transport with Wi-Fi and commentary

Why choose us

Famously passionate tour guides

Our guides share stories, laughs, and Kiwi charm on every journey.

Travel in comfort

Small groups, big comfort. Relax in our modern Mercedes minibuses with style and space.

Award-winning tours

Thousands of five-star reviews and top travel awards - experiences loved worldwide.

Kiwi owned. Kiwi operated

Proudly local and passionate about sharing authentic New Zealand with every traveller.

Stories worth sharing

3/12/2026

Outstanding experience with a great guide

This was an excellent experience from start to finish. It was a very small group which was really nice. The first day was well paced and I enjoyed the Kauri museum more than I had anticipated. Visiting the giant Kauri trees and then Waitangi was really good. We were entertained with Māori songs and dance and had plenty of time in the treaty house and saw the huge ceremonial canoes. The guide at Waitiangi was very verbose but that is not remotely anything to do with cheeky kiwi. The next day brought strong wind and heavy rain and we made a decision not to take the pre arranged hole in the rock boat trip, largely on the strongly worded advice of the crew. I think this was an excellent decision but it then left the whole day ahead with no immediate plan other than returning to Auckland by early evening. I have to say, at this point, things got even better. After a brief phone call to base, Sam crafted a spontaneous bespoke tour that included glow worm caves which I had mentioned I wanted to see. Also walks in rain forests, more Kauris, several spectacular waterfalls and a great lunch stop in Whangarei. Sam was great company and we had some really interesting conversations. Not that it was needed, but perhaps the icing on the cake was that Cheeky Kiwi immediately refunded the unused boat ticket which was so kind. The refund was in my bank account within minutes. This is extraordinarily good service, particularly when I had chosen not to do the it trip due to the heavy seas and rough conditions, even though it did go ahead. All in all, the level of care and service I received, and the way that Sam was empowered and able to use his knowledge and initiative and create a trip from scratch was truly outstanding. A big thank you and shout out to Sam and Cheekykiwi. I would not hesitate to book a further trip or recommend to others. Liz

LoungerLizard

3/2/2026

Pretty good trip!

The tour was extensive and included many very interesting places I liked everywhere we went. I was a bit misguided by the initial description of a sailing tour from Auckland. We didn’t sail until paihia. Also no meals were included which I thought a bit mean for the cost of the tour. At least breakfast at the hotel! Vicki was an excellent driver and tour guide keeping us informed all the way.

TESSA D

2/27/2026

The Best Bay of Islands Small Group Tour

A great way to see the north island with limited time with a small group. Ali, our driver and tour guide was outstanding and very knowledgeable and accommodating. A fantastic experience!

Craig B

2/26/2026

Great tour!

Pearl was a great guide who took excellent care of us. Loved all the information on the Kauri tree and all the Maori cultural information that Pearl was able to provide in addition to what we learned at the stops.

Patti L

2/19/2026

Fantastic trip to the Bay of Islands

This was overall a really great experience. I especially enjoyed the ride on the ferry out to Urapukapuka Island, and having an hour and half over there, while a short amount of time, was still good for a nice tramp into the bush. Lots of folks went for a swim or a snorkel, and that looked fun too. The hole in the rock was stunning. And the captain was an amazing narrator. Our tour guide Matt made sure we had everything we needed to enjoy the trip. He narrated the trip with both facts and local color which I appreciated, and broke up the long drive segment into enjoyable pieces, with stops for stretching our legs and getting a snack. Being in a small van, with only eight of us, created a much more intimate and relaxing experience than a big tour bus. If I had anything to suggest it would be a little better motel (the Kingsgate). But I don't think the selection is very far ranging in the bay of islands!

Terry B

2/15/2026

Stunning!

The tour was fantastic from start to finish. The icing on the cake was the cruise around the bay of islands, stunning! We also visited the Treaty grounds which was really informative and fascinating.

Frances M

2/12/2026

Fabulous trip- definitely recommend ir

Fabulous trip to a beautiful place. Stopped off at some excellent museums and forest areas on the way. Saw dolphins on the cruise which was fantastic. Kim was a great guide and personalised the trip so we could go swimming at a beautiful beach on way back.

Catherine V

2/1/2026

Bay of Islands Tour

The two-day tour to the Bay of Islands was a great experience. Even though the weather wasn’t perfect, we had a wonderful time. Our guide John was fantastic – very knowledgeable, friendly, a great driver, and he created a really nice atmosphere. It was a lot of fun and the memories will last forever. Thank you so much to Cheeky Kiwi Travel and especially to John!

Jutta G

1/28/2026

Wonderful experience

We had a wonderful trip with the right amount of history, nature, culture and fun. The hotel was conveniently placed in Paihai to walk to shops and food. Vickie was a great tour guide! Personable and knowledgeable!

185denisemd

1/21/2026

Fantastic tour

Fantastic trip despite the weather on the 1st day. Kauri museum was amazing, didn’t get to see Tane Mahuta due to the weather. But didn’t let that dampen the trip even when the rain tried. The boat trip around Bay of Islands was great but choppy and got to see the Hole in the Rock, we even met Michael Portillo!! Fantastic commentary by our awesome driver Vicki who answered our many questions. Would highly recommend Cheeky Kiwi Tours if you want to go anywhere.

Elaine C

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