What to do and see in Tutukaka, New Zealand: The Best Places and Tips

October 18, 2017 Viva Honore

Discover the best top things to do in Tutukaka, New Zealand including Perfect Day Ocean Cruise, Dive Tutukaka, Yukon Dive, Matapouri Bay, Tutukaka Headland, Pacific Coast Kayaks, Tutukaka Surf Experience, Sandy Bay, Oceanblue Adventures, SUP Bro Paddle Boarding NZ.
Restaurants in Tutukaka

1. Perfect Day Ocean Cruise

Marina Road, Tutukaka 0173, New Zealand
Excellent
87%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 119 reviews

Perfect Day Ocean Cruise

An icon on Northland’s horizon, the Poor Knights Islands are both a complete Marine Reserve, and a Nature Reserve. The Perfect Day’s half-day cruise takes you snorkeling, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding in sub-tropical waters, sightseeing into the World's largest sea-cave and through spectacular arches. With a dramatic volcanic backdrop and turbulent Maori history, teaming schools of fish and bird life, this is a day you will remember for the rest of your life.

Reviewed By AnnieO07 - Auckland Central, New Zealand

A truly magical snorkelling experience on a stunning day at the beautiful Poor Knights Islands. Fish galore and wonderful visibility- I've snorkelled in the Pacific Islands, the Med and the Caribbean but this was particularly special. Lots of available activities, awesome knowledgable crew, good food (they cater for dietary requirements if you give advance notice) and snorkelling gear provided.

2. Dive Tutukaka

Marina Rd, Poor Knights Dive Centre, Tutukaka 0173, New Zealand
Excellent
84%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 457 reviews

Dive Tutukaka

The longest standing family-run dive company around; with a number of boats, professional crew, and every day all year round trips to the Poor Knights Islands. Passionate about the environment, conservation, for divers, snorkellers, and sightseers.

Reviewed By 118Traveller555 - Toronto

Diving the Poor Knights Islands with Dive Tutukaka was wonderful. 7 dives over 2 days on their live board. Really comfortable accommodation the nights before embarking and following our return. So interesting to see the tropical/temperate species overlap and to dive in a 7mm wetsuit vs the 3 mm I’m used to (5mm would have worked too for a hardy type). All equipment rentable, great dive master, great food onboard the live aboard, and the bird life and solitude of the protected Poor Knights was great. Will go again if I manage to get back to New Zealand from Canada

3. Yukon Dive

Tutukaka Marina | Marina Road, Tutukaka 0153, New Zealand
Excellent
94%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 126 reviews

Yukon Dive

Yukon Dive is proudly 100% Kiwi owned and operated by husband and wife team Noel and Jo. We are experienced qualified dive Instructors who are extremely passionate about our environment and it's future and we pride ourselves in offering a professional, friendly and personal service. Our Mission is to share our passion for the underwater world of the Poor Knights, with a focus on friendship, a spirit of adventure and a commitment to safety, the environment and our community. Enjoy the ultimate Poor Knights experience with a small group. Teeming with life, the unique marine environment of of the Poor Knights Marine Reserve provides exceptional scenery above and below the water. Whether you are an experienced diver or just beginning, snorkeling or sightseeing, we will both do our best to make sure that your experience at the Poor Knights is one to remember and tell all your friends about!

Reviewed By jessacor - Canmore, Canada

This was my first dive as a newly certified Open Water scuba diver. I chose Yukon Dive as I hoped it would be a more intimate experience rather than a huge boat load of people where all different levels of divers are mixed together. Not a problem for a new diver but an annoyance for someone who is more experienced to be stuck with a newbie.
Yukon Dive did not disappoint. From the very beginning the staff were wonderful. I was nervous to do my first dive but Yukon Dive made it a day to remember in a great way. They were knowledgable and caring and I'm so happy I chose to dive with Yukon Dive. I would totally recommend for anyone heading out to Poor Knights to go with Yukon Dive.
Thanks for a great day and a wonderful experience!!

4. Matapouri Bay

Tutukaka, New Zealand
Excellent
87%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 80 reviews

Matapouri Bay

Reviewed By aurenna - Manchester, United Kingdom

Beautiful loop walk, but beware the entrance to the track is difficult to find in Matapouri bay. If you take the track at the far end of the bay you’ll have made a big mistake and find yourself on a steep and difficult climb up the muddy slopes to a dead end, where there are some rock pools. The real track is through the grass / dunes at the back of the beach

5. Tutukaka Headland

Landowners Lane, Tutukaka, New Zealand
Excellent
59%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 41 reviews

Tutukaka Headland

Reviewed By nnmercman - Camberley, United Kingdom

We were on a drive out from Whangarei on a rainy day so didn't venture further than the marina area. There's a plinth with propeller from a ship sunk as a reef dive which according to a local had an interesting history as a spy ship. Handily, there's a general store with fuel pumps on the main road - the price of fuel might be expensive but if you're running on empty like we were then you can't complain!

6. Pacific Coast Kayaks

Tutukaka 0110, New Zealand
Excellent
97%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 27 reviews

Pacific Coast Kayaks

Pacific Coast kayaks runs local half-day tours, full day tours and multi-day tours usually within 30 minutes of Whangarei. We take you to secluded , coves, white sand Beaches, spectacular coastal formations, and volcanic landscapes. The diversity of sea kayaking means we can offer superb kayak trips to suit every level of ability, age and motivation...

Reviewed By neilh6 - Dollar, United Kingdom

My son and I had a perfect days sea kayaking with Mark with stunning scenery, delicious lunch on deserted beach, blow holes penguins and excellent guiding - definitely to be recommended

7. Tutukaka Surf Experience

Marina Road | Oceans Resort, Tutukaka, New Zealand
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 23 reviews

Tutukaka Surf Experience

Reviewed By Stephanie R

I took my 7 & 9 year old for their (and my) first surf lesson. Simon and William were excellent. William delivered an excellent lesson covering water safety and surf tips and techniques. We had an amazing time and all managed to stand by the end. Highly recommended. You have created some Surfing converts!!

8. Sandy Bay

Sandy Beach Rd., Tutukaka 8971, New Zealand
Excellent
80%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 10 reviews

Sandy Bay

Reviewed By Jandalz3 - Barcelona

Beautiful sand with a stream exiting, perfect for small children to paddle and swim in. Rocks and trees at either end for exploring. Surfers doing their thing and a surf school if that takes your fancy.
Otherwise, pullout the sunscreen, a good book and relax.
Toilet facilities and a few park benches.
What a lovely beach. Not crowded. Perfect New Zealand beach.

9. Oceanblue Adventures

Tutukaka Marina | Marina Road, Tutukaka 0153, New Zealand
Excellent
82%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 11 reviews

Oceanblue Adventures

Reviewed By EJtraveler - New York City, New York

This is a small no frills liveaboard -- which is perfect if what you want is small groups and overnight trips to dive the Poor Knights! Kevin and crew were great hosts, dive guides, skipper, etc.....

The winds were strong and coming from south/SW so this limited our diving to a select few sites on the west coast of the poor knights. No problema - the diving was still excellent. The best sites I dove were northern arch and kawahi point (I think that was the site).
They made me meet at home and went out of their way to show me and other guests some great diving! I hope to dive with them again next time I'm in NZ! I recommend longer than 1 night trip - not enough time to see all the sites!
I had my own gear but rental equipment was top quality - halcyon eclipse backplate and halcyon regs.
5MM wetsuit was ok but bring your drysuit if you have one!!!
Food was plentiful - I did not go hungry.

10. SUP Bro Paddle Boarding NZ

Tutukaka Coast, Tutukaka 0173, New Zealand
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 7 reviews

SUP Bro Paddle Boarding NZ

SUP BRO can be found in Northland, New Zealand. Our internationally certified instructors live to share their passion for the ocean whilst exploring one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. We offer customised boat and paddle boarding trips, as well as, lessons, guided tours, yoga and fitness classes. We cater to schools, group and individuals of all ages and abilities.

Reviewed By Hilary M - Whangarei, New Zealand

If you fancy stand up paddle in one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand, go with these guys. They can guide you, you can go alone or in a group, offer yoga and day trips to the wonderful eco paradise of the Poor Knights Islands. Laid back in the Kiwi way, but totally professional.

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