New Zealand has more than 15,000 kilometres of coastline, as well as large lakes and rivers that can be explored by boat. Small boat and water experiences range from short harbour cruises and sailing trips to fishing charters, wildlife encounters, jet boat rides and longer day trips.
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Explore New Zealand by Water with Small Boat Tours, Sailing, Cruises, Fishing Charters and River Adventures
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Explore New Zealand from the water with small boat tours, sailing trips, scenic cruises, fishing charters, jet boats and river adventures. Cruise sheltered bays, open coastlines, lakes and rivers, with experiences ranging from relaxed sightseeing trips to faster-paced boat rides and wildlife encounters.
Small Boat & Water Adventures
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Top Attractions
from NZ $1450.00
5 Hours 
Lodge to Lodge Luxury 2 Day Rafting Trip on t...
Spend 2 days rafting on a beautiful section of the Rangitikei river
from NZ $1250.00
2 days 
Black Labyrinth Ultimate Rafting Experience -...
Climb, jump and tube through Ruakuri Cave on an active underground adventure.
from NZ $895.00
11 Hours 
Carino Wildlife Cruises - Island & Wildlife D...
Small-group sailing through the Bay of Islands
from NZ $215
6 hours 
Auckland Scenic Wine and Cheese Cruise
Complimentary Drink and Charcuterie Box
from NZ $69.00
2 Hours 
from NZ $65.00
2 Hours 30 Mins 
Self-Guided Milford Track Day Walk - Milford ...
Giant Gate Falls - a stunning Milford Track highlight!
from NZ $75
3 hours 
Milford Sound Discover More Cruise
Our longest, most immersive Milford Sound experience — up to 2 hours 15 minutes on the water
from NZ $199.00
1 Hours 
Sunset Sea Kayak to Rangitoto Island / with B...
Guided Walk to the Summit of Rangitoto Island
from NZ $220.00
6 Hours 30 Mins 
Full-Day Routeburn Canyoning Adventure – Qu...
Exclusive access to the Routeburn Valley, as the only canyoning company permitted to operate there.
from NZ $429.00
8 Hours 
from NZ $35.00
1 Hours 
Abel Tasman Cruise-Fly Package ex Nelson
Enjoy a scenic flight over golden sands of the Abel Tasman National Park
from NZ $699.00
8 hours 
Sea Kayaking, Lyttelton Harbour & Quail I...
Sea kayaking in an extinct volcano (Lyttleton Harbour)
from NZ $479.00
8 Hours 
from NZ $145
3 hours 
Twilight Kayak Glowworm Tour
Glowworms surrounding you as you float through a prehistoric like canyon
from NZ $199.00
3 Hours 
Canyon Explorers - Half Day Canyoning Adventu...
A fast-paced introduction to canyoning, just a short drive from central Queenstown.
from NZ $249.00
4 Hours 
Whenuakura (Donut) Island Guided Experience
Explore Whenuakura - Donut - Island
from NZ $105.00
2 Hours 
Scenic Cruise to the famous Ngātoroirangi M�...
Scenic Cruise to the famous Ngātoroirangi Mine Bay Māori Rock Carvings.
from NZ $65.00
1 Hours 30 Mins 
from NZ $355
6 hours 
Wellington: 90-Minute Commentated Harbour Exp...
Enjoy a 90-minute Wellington Harbour tour
from NZ $39.50
1 Hours 30 Mins 
from NZ $145.00
2 Hours 
from NZ $1655.00
4 Hours 
from NZ $400.00
7 Hours 
Explore New Zealands most beautiful river
Paddle New Zealands most beautiful river
from NZ $215.00
4 Hours 
Canoe Hire & Jet Boat Tours Whanganui Riv...
Experience 1 day canoe hire with jet boat return
from NZ $265.00
3 hours 
from NZ $125
1 hours 
Dolphin & Wildlife Eco Cruise
Get up close to Wild Dolphins, on board our comfortable cruising vessel
from NZ $175.00
5 Hours 
Dolphin Encounter - Swim with or watch Kaikou...
Kaikoura is among the best locations in the world to encounter interact with wild dusky dolphins
from NZ $170
3.5 hours 
from NZ $170.00
05:30 hours
Heli Jet Combo
Cruise over the tops of the Southern Alps to land in the remote Siberia Valley
from NZ $695.00
1 Hours 
from NZ $120.00
4 Hours 
Cathedral Cove Dive & Snorkel Boat Tour Hahei...
Visit Cathedral Cove on the way - 5 minutes boat ride to Marine Reserve from Hahei Beach
from NZ $149.00
2 Hours 
Mokai Canyon - 3 day river rafting holiday, f...
3 days of guided rafting on a beautiful section of the Rangitikei river
from NZ $1155
3 days 
from NZ $150.00
Milford Sound Cruise
Two hour cruise, with frequent stops at spectacular points of interest
from NZ $169.00
2 Hours 
from NZ $280.00
4 Hours 30 Mins 
The Riverhead Tavern Kayak Tour in Auckland
Craft lasting memories in nature's embrace
from NZ $110
4 hours 
Kayak & Walk Tour - Franz Josef Glacier
Exclusive access to a private rainforest track through a kiwi conservation area
from NZ $179.00
4 Hours 
Milford Sound Nature Cruise
Get up close to the thundering 155-metre Stirling Falls
from NZ $179.00
1 Hours 
Waitomo glow Worm Caves
Scenic journey through the beautiful Waikato countryside
from NZ $279.00
9 Hours 
from NZ $954.00
13 Hours 
Milford Sound Coach & Nature Cruise ex Te Ana...
Premium glass-roof coach with scenic stops and local commentary through Fiordland
from NZ $259.00
8 Hours 
from NZ $195.00
5 hours 30 mins
from NZ $89.00
2 hours
from NZ $30.00
1 Hours 
from NZ $200.00
4 Hours 
Milford Sound Boutique Small Boat Cruise
Explore a fjord that was carved by glaciers over millions of years
from NZ $189.00
1 Hours 45 Mins 
3-Day Milford Sound Tour via Walter Peak & Vo...
45-min TSS Earnslaw Steamship Cruise from Queenstown to Wa-l-t-e-r Peak
from NZ $1799.00
2 Days 1 Hours 30 Mins 
Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise
Scenic cruise out to Motukōkako, the Hole in the Rock
from NZ $180.00
04:30 hours
Milford Sound Coach & Nature Cruise Day Trip
Premium glass-roof coach with scenic stops and local commentary through Fiordland
from NZ $309.00
12 Hours 
Day in the Bay Cruise - The Original Cream Tr...
1.5 hour island stopover at Otehei Bay
from NZ $225.00
08:30 hours
from NZ $3100.00
9 Hours 
Sea Cave Adventures Whitianga
Visit the world famous Cathedral Cove + Te Whanganui O Hei Marine Reserve!
from NZ $135.00
2 Hours 
Rotorua Rafting: Kaituna River Grade 5 Raftin...
Feel the thrill of whitewater rafting over 3 waterfalls and 14 rapids
from NZ $135.00
2 Hours 
Hydro Attack Semi-submersible Shark Ride
Experience an adrenaline-packed high-speed thrill ride on Lake Whakatipu
from NZ $199.00
25 mins
from NZ $329.00
5 Hours 
from NZ $65.00
1 Hours 30 Mins 
from NZ $139.00
1 Hours 
Rotorua Lakes Best Kept Secrets
Guided lake tour of Rotoiti onboard the one of a kind Airstream vessel
from NZ $175.00
2 Hours 30 Mins 
from NZ $3195.00
5 days 
Early Afternoon Milford Sound Cruise
Enjoy an informative cruise aboard a modern and spacious catamaran
from NZ $185.00
1 Hours 45 Mins 
from NZ $215.00
6 Hours 
Milford Sound Mid Afternoon Cruise
Enjoy an informative cruise aboard a modern and spacious catamaran
from NZ $179.00
1 Hours 45 Mins 
Stewart Island Pelagic and Wild-Life Tour
Have a great time finding albatross, penguins, sealions, and more!
from NZ $90
1 Hours 30 Mins 
from NZ $149.00
3 Hours 
Milford Sound Fly | Cruise | Fly
Scenic return flights from Queenstown over alpine backcountry and Fiordland’s untouched landscapes
from NZ $770
4 hours 
Heli Max Jet Combo
Embark on an epic 25-minute helicopter flight into the impressive Mount Aspiring National Park
from NZ $925.00
2 Hours 
Kayak Classic Tour - Franz Josef Glacier
Kayak or cruise with a Glacier & Mountain Backdrop
from NZ $159.00
3 Hours 
Pure New Zealand Wilderness Experience
One of the closest true wilderness experiences to Wellington
from NZ $299.00
6 Hours 
from NZ $399
9 hours 
from NZ $135.00
3
Nomad Safaris - Queenstown
Fans of Middle-earth, relive the magic with the "Lord of The Rings tours" - Glenorchy and Queenstown
from NZ $250.00
3 Hours 45 Mins 
from NZ $70.00
30 Mins 
from NZ $145.00
2 Hours 
Milford Sound Fly Cruise Fly
Scenic flight from Queenstown to Milford Sound
from NZ $749.00
4 Hours 
from NZ $219.00
2 Hours 30 Mins 
Akaroa Nature Cruise
View the Hector’s dolphin - smallest and rarest in the world
from NZ $130.00
1 Hours 
Individual Full Day Fishing on Auckland Harbo...
Experience fishing on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour!
from NZ $90.00
9 Hours 
from NZ $150.00
2 Hours 
from NZ $235.00
1 Hours 
from NZ $419.00
13 Hours 
from NZ $270
6 hours 30 mins
Nomad Safaris combos - Dart River Jet I Shoto...
Fans of Middle-earth, relive the magic with the "Lord of The Rings tours" - Glenorchy and Queenstown
from NZ $714.00
9 Hours 
Happy Hour Cruise
Take a luxury catamaran cruise amid the outstanding natural beauty of Lake Wanaka
from NZ $69.00
1 hour
100% Pure NZ - Raft the Kaituna River - Grade...
Tackle the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall, the 7m Tutea Falls
from NZ $139.00
3 Hours 
from NZ $295.00
3 Hours 30 Mins 
Scenic Riverhead Tavern Cruise
Cruise to New Zealand’s oldest riverside tavern
from NZ $48.00
6 Hours 
from NZ $245.00
6 Hours 
Heli Siberia Max
Embark on an epic 25-minute helicopter flight into the impressive Mount Aspiring National Park
from NZ $925.00
5 Hours 
from NZ $75.00
1 Hours 30 Mins 
Milford Sound Coach & Discover More Cruis...
Spend more time on the fiord with our longest Milford Sound cruise — up to 2 hours 15 minutes
from NZ $335.00
13 Hours 
from NZ $155.00
from NZ $145.00
2 Hours 30 Mins 
Milford Sound Heli-Cruise-Heli + Exclusive Ea...
See remote Fiordland valleys, forests, waterfalls and lakes
from NZ $1990.00
5 Hours 
from NZ $1750.00
12.5 hours 
Eco Sailing Adventure ex Waiheke
Explore the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park aboard our 41-foot catamaran Pacific Star
from NZ $730.00
7 Hours 
from NZ $145.00
2 Hours 
from NZ $299.00
1 Hours 
from NZ $70.00
1 Hours 
60 minute Jet boat ride on the Shotover &...
60 minutes of pure adrenaline and stunning scenery
from NZ $139
1 hours Travel Guides
Frequently Asked Questions about Small Boat & Water Adventures
Where is the cruises, sailing, boating and water tours capital of New Zealand?
New Zealand offers exceptional cruises, sailing, boating, and water tours across both the North and South Islands. The Bay of Islands is one of the most renowned destinations for these experiences, with 144 islands, calm sheltered waters, and a wide variety of cruises, sailing trips, boat tours, and marine wildlife encounters. Many tours here include island stopovers, snorkelling, dolphin watching, and scenic coastal cruising.
Other popular water tour destinations in the North Island include Auckland Harbour, known for harbour cruises and sailing experiences, and Lake Taupō, which offers scenic lake cruises. In the South Island, cruises and water-based experiences can be found in Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound for dramatic fjord cruises, Akaroa Harbour for wildlife cruises, Nelson and the Marlborough Sounds for sailing and boating, and Te Anau for lake cruises surrounded by alpine scenery.
What are the top cruises, sailing, boating and water tours in New Zealand?
Some of the top cruises, sailing, boating and water tours in New Zealand include the iconic Milford Sound Cruise, the famous Hole in the Rock Cruise in the Bay of Islands, the hands-on America’s Cup Sailing Experience in Auckland, scenic Abel Tasman National Park cruises, and tranquil Doubtful Sound wilderness cruises, all of which are among the most popular water-based experiences in the country.
Are sailing tours suitable for all ages?
Yes, sailing tours and most water cruises in New Zealand are generally suitable for all ages, including families with children, as they range from relaxed scenic cruises to gentle sailing experiences that don’t require any prior skill or fitness.
Do water tours offer opportunities for swimming?
Yes, many water tours in New Zealand include opportunities for swimming as part of the experience. For example, some scenic cruises and sailing tours in Abel Tasman National Park allow you to stop at beautiful beaches like Anchorage Beach, where you can swim in the clear coastal waters.
Are fishing charters included among the tours?
Yes, fishing charters are included among the water tours, with popular options such as full-day Bay of Islands fishing charters that take you offshore to target species like snapper and kingfish, with experienced skippers and equipment provided.
Cruises, Sailing, and Water Tours to See and Do in New Zealand
New Zealand is abundant with a vast range of water activities. There's no better way to truly appreciate the beautiful New Zealand coastline than by exploring it. Check out See and Do New Zealand for the best water activities, from rafting in caves and rivers to cruises and leisure sailing!
The best places for Cruises, Sailing, and Water Tours in New Zealand
Milford sound is located in Fiordland and offers fantastic views that are hard to look away from. Some cruises also provide heli tours, waterfalls, coach tours and kayaking!
If you're on the North Island, then there are many days of sailing trips to take that are both chilled-out and adventurous!
If you're looking for a more adventurous alternative to sailing and cruises, then check out these activities like parasailing and jet boating!
Top Destinations
Explore some of New Zealand’s most popular travel destinations.
