The Bay of Islands is spectacular! Jon was our driver and guide on the drive to and from Auckland. Great conversation and a safe driver! He even handled the delicious box lunch for the boat tour. It’s a long drive to/from Auckland so we appreciated the private drive with just the two of us. The boat tour was great. Stunning scenery and made it out to the hole in the rock despite rough seas. Note that if the seas are too rough you may not make it to the hole in the rock. The hour 45 minutes on Otehei Bay was equally stunning. Beautiful scenery, walking trails and a restaurant available too.
I highly recommend the private Bay of Islands tour
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I4312KSkimj
September 28, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Thank you Jon
Jon was great. He is courteous kind and caring. His driving is impeccable. He had plenty of knowledge about almost everything and was kind to let us rest or nap with the early start and very long day.
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GHall10011
February 19, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Very long but beautiful day
All day Bay of Islands tour: This is an incredible tour, but be aware of what you’re signing up for - this is a very long day on a mini bus! That being said, our tour guide Simon was absolutely incredible during the drive up and back. He was so knowledgeable on the countryside and the history of the area, and of New Zealand itself, with just the right amount of humor. He’s the main reason this tour gets five stars. The Bay of Islands, of course, was as beautiful as advertised. I recommend this for anyone who wants to get up and see that area in one day and is willing to endure over 12 hours to do so.
2人が参考になったと回答
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johnfC5294IT
January 25, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Hole in the Rock
Long but very enjoyable day. Some light showers and wind made for bit bumpy ride on the ferry but there is an enclosed deck for fair weather travelers. Jon our driver was superb. Excellent service dropping all in our group back to our hotels in the evening. Good taste of Bay of the islands wanting a longer stay but great for a day trip!
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Y4103FKamandac
January 25, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
You better hope you get Jon as your driver!!
Jon was our driver today and he was great. Very informative on the drive in regards to Auckland and very friendly!!
The boat trip was great, got to see multiple dolphins and see the islands. Such a great day!!
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Stevewphillips988
January 9, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Visit to the Bay of Islands
Nancy was excellent, so knowledgeable and everything was just perfect !! We had an absolutely beautiful day and learned so much about Nee Zealand during our tour. Once we got out on boat, we had a wonderful boat ride. We really enjoyed the islands absolutely beautiful !
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judithgX1658GD
December 6, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
A perfect day getting to know more of beautiful New Zealand
At first I was worried that this trip would be too long. However, the long drive to and from Auckland is a beautiful drive. The driver, Nancy, made it a fascinating experience, telling us about history, the people of New Zealand, as well as cultural information of the Māori and current events. She made stops in interesting places and anticipated our every need. The trip on the bay was fabulous! It is beautiful! A pod of dolphins put in an incredible display of acrobatics for more than 30 minutes. It seemed they knew they had an appreciative audience. From our great driver, Nancy, who was friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable, to the exquisite natural beauty of the bay, everything was perfect. I enjoy every minute.
事業者からの返答
Thank you so much for this beautiful review. We’re delighted to hear that your private Bay of Islands experience exceeded expectations. The long drive is indeed a scenic journey, and we’re thrilled that Nancy’s knowledge, stories, and thoughtful care helped make it both comfortable and fascinating.
Your description of the dolphin encounter is wonderful — what an unforgettable moment! It’s great to know that every part of the day, from the commentary to the stops to the stunning natural beauty, felt perfect for you.
We truly appreciate your kind words and are so pleased you enjoyed every minute. We would love to welcome you back for another memorable adventure in Aotearoa.
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Explore-and-enjoy
December 6, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Wonderful trip to Bay of Islands.
Had an amazing time with Nancy! She’s a great storyteller and went the extra mile to make it a wonderful experience! Thank you!1
事業者からの返答
Thank you for your lovely review! We’re so glad to hear you had an amazing trip to the Bay of Islands. Nancy will be thrilled to know her storytelling and extra care made your day so special. We really appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back on another adventure soon!
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Departure26659180615
November 16, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Orcas
I had a wonderful trip to the Bay of Islands snd a cruise to the Hole in the Rock. Raymond, our guide was really nice and pacient.
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sylviabB4048LP
November 11, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Long day; but worth every moment.
It was a long day, but well worth it. Our guide Dave was well informed and knew the area very well. He filled every bit of our day with information and knew exactly when to say ‘look now’ for amazing views.
