Your Half Day Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise begins as you’re welcomed aboard the Bay Explorer at the Tauranga waterfront!
We spend the morning exploring the pristine Bay of Plenty harbour and beyond, searching for marine wildlife which may include seabirds, penguins, seals, whales, sunfish, school fish, sharks, orca, and dolphins swimming along with our vessel. Our awesome Captain and crew will be pointing out all that they see so you won’t miss a thing!
Don’t forget your camera as we are able to get up close to wildlife, making it a photographer’s dream.
Your experienced Captain and crew will provide a fascinating commentary on the history, geography and culture of the area. They have knowledge of marine wildlife and personally share with you everything they observe. Books and references are on board to enhance your experience.
You will be back in Tauranga with enough time to explore our beautiful region! Don’t miss this premier Bay of Plenty half day dolphin and wildlife adventure!
All prices are shown in NZD ($)
What an amazing way to spend a day in the bay of plenty. Cruising the sea looking for nature. Brendon and the team did an excellent job. We saw and travelled with a huge pod of dolphins (about 80). No luck with spotting any penguins or orca but nothing is guaranteed in the wilderness. Well worth it.
Amazing crew. Had a lovely trip
Absolute crap worst experience on a boat probably put my children off going on a boat for life, the skipper should never have gone out and we still haven't seen any wildlife really disappointed. Unfortunately I had to give 1 star to carry on
Thanks but guess we need to clarify.. You did not listen to the crew, your experience ( as your children were seasick) is not a reflection of the skippers or the crew of the experience we offer. Firstly you are asked to take precautions such as motion sickness tablets or .wrist bands if you are susceptible to motion sickness. You did not prepare. We even offer sea sickness tablets on board for those that did not prepare or are unsure of their personal susceptibility ! You were briefed at check-in and at the crew briefing that the swell was only minimum ( .5 m yes that’s 500mm) but windy and would be bumpy) you then sat downstairs with the kids after being briefed to get air upstairs and watch the horizon if feeling unwell. Look we understand how having sea sick kids can be a tough time for a mum but we also ask for parents to take the time to prepare or skip to another day when cautioned of wind or wave action. It was safe and we never cruise without considering safety. Unfortunately different personal ability to deal with the foreign environment of the open ocean can lead to sea sickness but that is not something the crew can manage .. it’s an open ocean environment and the sea is very different and moving all the time.. We offered to take your family again but understand you are adamant that we are to blame as opposed to seeing our business as an opportunity to experience the ocean realm again and that again is your choice. We hope you get back out sometime some place and be prepared.. some people get motion seasickness on the calmest of days.. it’s nothing to do with age, race, body type etc.. All the best Bay Explorer crew
Thanks so much. The day was a goodie!! From memory 4 pods of dolphins and all different behaviours in each group.. One of those days when dolphins are everywhere. Made special by a really great group of customers that really participated Thank you from the Bay Explorer crew enjoy 2022
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dalem1 from New Zealand wrote on 16 January 2023
Desperately seeking dolphins
After a rope start feeling seasick ans not seeing anything for hours, we had the wonderful experience of seeing a huge pod of dolphins who were eager to please. Such an amazing experience. Massive thanks to Brandon and Josh who perservered and made our dream come true.