Bay Explorer
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Open Hours: 8am to 8pm
Watch wild dolphins swimming up close as you explore our big blue backyard!
Watch seasonal seabirds, penguins, seals, whales, sunfish, school fish, sharks, orcas… even turtles!
Our Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise offers an authentic Kiwi experience amidst nature—a tale of human fascination with marine life. Join us in exploring the wonders of dolphins and more while searching from the spacious top deck. We limit passengers for comfort, ensuring a personal touch, its ideal for families
Description
Welcome to our big blue backyard! Enter nature & wide open spaces on a Bay Explorer wildlife cruise. Join us for a shared lifetime experience and help protect wild marine animals.
Bay Explorer offers a Full-Day Island & Wildlife Cruise or Half-Day Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise, our award winning #1 Boat Cruises in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui.
You will explore the aquatic world of seasonal marine wildlife and watch wild dolphins up close, orca killer whales, sharks, seasonal whale watching, penguins, seals, sunfish, school fish & seabirds.
Our purpose-built boat is unlike any other in the Bay of Plenty with viewing platforms that are designed to highlight the fantastic local scenery so you can observe local marine wildlife at its best. When you choose Bay Explorer your comfort is our main priority, with spacious decks, ample seating options and a covered area for shade and shelter. It also has a fully licenced bar with chilled regional wine and beers along with non-alcoholic beverages.
The Full Day Island & Wildlife Cruise allows you to enjoy a midday island stopover at a sheltered cove. Water activities will be available, including kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling or swimming. Our Half Day Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise means we get to spend more time searching for the wildlife, and is perfect for those who are a bit short on time.
Full Day Island & Wildlife Cruise: Departing at 8am, and returning by 2pm – 4pm
Half Day Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise: Departing at 9am and returning by 1pm – 3pm
Highlights Of Our Cruises:
- A full day or half day wildlife cruise on our spacious 18 metre vessel with 360° outdoor views.
- Close-up encounters with seasonal marine wildlife – dolphins, penguins, seals, whales, sunfish, school fish, seabirds, sharks, turtles and orca.
- Comfortable fully enclosed seating downstairs and a large open sun-deck for wildlife watching.
- Some of the best marine diversity in New Zealand.
- Onboard commentary on the Bay and local marine wildlife.
- Cold beer and chilled regional wines from our licenced bar and non-alcoholic beverages (Eftpos available).
- Food options, or bring your own lunch and snacks.
- Our friendly, professional Bay Explorer Crew
- Photos of a lifetime!
Map & Directions
120 The Strand (Corner of Wharf Street), Tauranga , Bay of Plenty , 3116, New Zealand
Directions
Find us on the Tauranga Waterfront, oppsite the 120 The Strand. Look for the little white Kiosk and our signs on the Jetty
Cancellation Policy
CANCELLATION POLICY
You may cancel your booking anytime up until 48hrs before the time of departure without penalty.
This must be done by email to: info@bayexplorer.co.nz.
Please let us know as soon as possible if you are unable to join the cruise.
No refunds are available within 48hrs
PLEASE NOTE THAT CHECK IN and DEPARTURE TIMES ARE IMPORTANT.
Check-in is at the Strand, Tauranga City waterfront at 8.30am
Briefing about the cruise and safety on board starts at 8:40 for departure at 9:00am.
We return typically between 1:00pm – 2:00pm.
We will confirm the time of check in and departure for your cruise at time of booking. Standard Cancellation Policy applies if you do not show on time.
We aim to depart promptly, however occasionally we have guests that are delayed. Crew may at their discretion allow extra time for late guests to get on board, however crew must be advised of your late arrival by phone 021 605 968.
It is very important that we are able to contact you also so it is advised you carry your cellphone. Please ensure you have provided contact details for us to be able to get hold of you.
WEATHER
In the very unlikely event that we are unable to depart due to operational requirements we will reschedule or a full refund is provided.
The tour is weather dependent. Please note that on some occasions our skipper needs to review sea and weather conditions on the morning of the tour before making a final decision, in this situation it maybe cancelled on the morning of departure. It is very important that we are able to contact you also so it is advised you carry your cellphone. Please ensure you have provided contact details for us to be able to get hold of you. If we are sure we can not operate we will make reschedule arrangements with you between 7pm and 8pm the night prior.
OK lets get booked and have some fun, this administration stuff is not what we all signed up for...its just information needed to get us all in one place, for half a day...for the DOLPHIN and WILDLIFE CRUISE