The 10 Best Dolphin & Whale Watching in North Island, New Zealand

Watch or swim with dolphins and friendly seals in the warm Bay of Plenty waters, near White Island in Whakatane, in New Zealand. Diveworks Charters has been in operation since 1997 and is a genuine family affair. Phil designed and purpose-built the 10m Diveworks boat so it easily handles the sea and is great for divers and snorkelers! During summer, Diveworks Dolphin and Seal Encounters provides the opportunity to swim, view and enjoy dolphins that have come into the Bay of Plenty to feed and breed. Sightings of baby dolphin are incredible and swimming with the friendly Kekeno seals as they swim at Whale Island (Moutohora). - approx 4 hour tour - usually morning tours. Diveworks Charters other boat tours include: Whale Island Guided Walks, Fishing Trips and Diving at White Island. “Over 35,000 people have been on Diveworks - our tour parties are small and with every trip you will feel like one of the family.”

Experience with us and help protect our wild dolphins! Surrounded by deep blue water, vivid green islands and diverse wildlife, sailing on Carino NZ our 50ft catamaran is the best way to experience the stunning bay of islands. Help to set sails or sit back and relax as the sails catch the breeze. Watch wild dolphins in their ocean habitat. We are only yacht licensed view wild dolphins in the Bay of islands. We can watch and appreciate the magic of wild dolphins. Every ticket directly contributes to marine mammal research and conservation – Protect the future. While we are sailing, watch for our local little blue penguins, the world’s smallest penguin, our crazy diving gannets, pied cormorants, shearwaters, stormy petrels and other ocean birds. An island stop is included, where you get to explore a historic scenic island with nature walks and snorkel the beach. Kiwi style bbq lunch aboard Carino NZ, with a cash bar available. Departs Paihia daily 9.00am-3.30pm

Tauranga company that takes people out to swim with wild dolphins, as well as showing you any other marine life we can find. We supply everything even lunch and a guided snorkel at a local island. Amazing day with the best crew in the bay by far.

Make a difference during your holiday in New Zealand.

Cave Cruzer Boat Tours is the original Whitianga Marine Adventure Tour. Our open vessel gives you 360 degree unimpeded views, NO ROOF means you can experience the full height of the majestic landscape and will take you into places that other boats cannot. You will learn local history of interest and visit caves, blowholes and the Marine Reserve where you will see an abundant amount of sea life. We take you to the world famous Cathedral Cove, the beautiful set used for part of the Prince Caspian/Narnia movies. Shakespeares Cliff, Cooks Blowhole, Champagne Rock and the Orua Sea Cave (NZ's 2nd biggest sea cave), to name a few. NZ fur seals can be seen frolicking in the crystal clear waters from time to time and if you are really lucky, we have a NZ Department of Conservation licence to view all Marine life in the area. Safety is paramount and we as a company are committed to providing you with the best experience in the 'Bay' on the day. This area is a photographers dream!

Guided walking tours of Whale (Moutohora) island sanctuary, a pristine wildlife reserve 9kms from Whakatane. The tour includes boat trip to the island, circumnavigation, walking on island to saddle lookout. Your skipper and guide Phil with Diveworks has 23 years of involvement with regeneration and restocking of native flora and fauna, he has been involved with the introduction of endangered Saddleback, most of the Kiwi, Tuatara lizard and the many Scientific monitoring, Firewatch and Cultural expeditions during the Islands establishment period. In 2009 he concluded a 3 year DOC concession to monitor and study the newly establishing seal colony which later resulted in a permit to swim with them. Phil has extensive information and records of the pest eradication program and the introduction and monitoring of Kiwi and Tuatara. He will tell you how Kakariki were introduced and then recaptured and will proudly show you trees he himself planted now exceeding 10 meters in height. The whole trip is exciting, informative and culminates with a Hot water beach swim.

Capture the magic of this classic single mast yacht as you sail around the aquatic playground of the bay of islands. Design your own day, your own custom built adventure, aboard this 14 meter fully equipped yacht which offers you the very best in quality, comfort and safety. Your experienced skipper and crew are on board to ensure you have a day to remember.

At Snap Fishing Ventures we have designed and developed complimenting packages, so that you can put together and personalize your Kiwi experience of Auckland/New Zealand's beautiful and bountiful natural assets . We are very passionate about showing you the great fishing and marine life around Aucklands Hauraki Gulf and other local waters. We offer accommodation nestled amongst the native bush. Cheers Capt Nik (Snap)

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. We offer a Full-Day Island & Wildlife Cruise or Half-Day Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise, our award winning #1 Boat Cruises in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui. Watch wild dolphins up close, orca killer whales, sharks, seasonal whale watching, penguins, seals, sunfish, school fish & seabirds. The full day Island & Wildlife Cruise allows you to enjoy a midday island stopover at a sheltered cove with optional water activities 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. Our spacious boat has a fully licenced bar with chilled regional wine and beers along with non-alcoholic beverages. Full Day: 8am - 4pm Half Day: 9am - 2pm

Explore beautiful remote islands & view amazing wildlife aboard our newly refurbished 11m launch. Fully guided & catered boat trips, including the FREE use of snorkel equipment, wetsuits, kayaks & paddle boards! Snorkel & Sightseeing Adventures of the outer Hauraki Gulf Islands including Little Barrier Island, the Mokohinau islands, Hen & Chicken Islands & Great Barrier Island, with excellent opportunities for dolphin sightings! We also offer a FREE PICK UP / DROP OFF service between the Warkworth bus station to Sandspit. Also available for private charter for up to 12 passengers.