Islands

New Zealand offers excellent island adventure tours across both the North and South Islands. The Bay of Islands is one of the most renowned island adventure destinations, with 144 islands and sheltered bays to explore. Many tours here include island stopovers, snorkelling, kayaking, and wildlife encounters such as dolphin watching.
Other popular island adventure areas in the North Island include Auckland Harbour, where you can explore nearby islands and coastal waters, and Coromandel, known for its scenic bays and marine activities. In the South Island, island adventure experiences can be found in Akaroa, Nelson, and Dunedin (Otago Peninsula), offering coastal cruises, wildlife spotting, and island exploration in stunning natural settings.

New Zealand offers a variety of unforgettable island tours that suit different interests, from scenic cruises and wildlife spotting to nature walks and coastal adventures. In the Bay of Islands, popular tours include the Hole in the Rock Cruise & Island adventure and the Half Day Cruise & Island Tour, where you can explore islands like Roberton Island and Urupukapuka, snorkel, paddleboard, and enjoy wildlife viewing. There are also specialised experiences, such as the Hole in the Rock Helicopter Landing Experience for an aerial twist on island exploration, and ocean-based trips like Ocean Adventure or Island Hopper Sailing Cruise that get you out among the bays and beaches. Around Waiheke Island near Auckland, well-loved tours include the Waiheke Island Double Headland Coastal Walk and the Waiheke Sea, Land & Sky scenic flight, offering breathtaking views of island landscapes and coastal walks. For a more active island experience, the Whenuakura (Donut) Island Guided Experience near Whangamata lets you explore rugged island terrain by kayak or paddleboard. These tours highlight the diverse ways to experience New Zealand’s island scenery and wildlife.

Yes, fishing is allowed around many of New Zealand’s islands, and there are popular fishing tours that take you out into island waters to fish for local species. For example, Days Out Fishing Charters Bay of Islands offers guided fishing trips around the islands of the Bay of Islands, where you can fish for snapper, kingfish, marlin, and more while enjoying the scenic waters and marine life surrounding the islands. You can also join other fishing experiences, such as Kaikoura fishing tours on the South Island, which explore island-fringed waters around Kaikoura for crayfish and other fish species.

Yes, many island trips in New Zealand are family-friendly and suitable for kids. For example, cruises and tours like the 4.5 hr Hole in the Rock Cruise & Island Tour in the Bay of Islands offer relaxed sightseeing and wildlife watching that children can enjoy. Boat-based activities such as the Island Hopper Sailing Cruise also provide fun, scenic experiences for families with kids. Sea kayak tours like the Browns Island (Motukorea) Sea Kayak Tour give older children and teens a gentle paddling adventure around sheltered waters. Short island cruises and glass-bottom boat tours to places like Rangitoto Island are also great for kids who enjoy being on the water. Many of these experiences combine nature, easy activity, and scenic views, making them good choices for families travelling with children.

The best time to visit New Zealand’s islands is during summer (December to February), when the weather is warm, sunny, and ideal for island cruises, swimming, snorkelling, and beach activities. Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) are also great options, offering mild temperatures, fewer crowds, and good conditions for sightseeing and wildlife tours.