New Zealand Boat Tours & Cruises

From the fiords of the South Island to the Bay of Islands, explore New Zealand by water with verified local operators.

222Boat Tours
12+Regions
2-8 hrsDuration

Book New Zealand Boat Tours & Cruises (12 available)

Māori Rock Carvings - Luxury Sailing Catamaran Tiua - 12.30pm
From NZ$83.12
Taupo Sailing Adventures

Māori Rock Carvings - Luxury Sailing Catamaran Tiua - 12.30pm

Step aboard Tiua, Taupō Sailing Adventures’ luxurious sailing catamaran, for a relaxing and scenic afternoon on the water. As the lake…

Check Availability →
Full-Day Marlborough Catamaran Cruise with Wine Tour and Lunch
From NZ$263.04
Marlborough Wine Tours

Full-Day Marlborough Catamaran Cruise with Wine Tour and Lunch

Combine some of Marlborough's classic activities on this full-day tour: cruising on Queen Charlotte Sound to Ships Cove, enjoy a winery…

Check Availability →
Harbour, Albatross & Wildlife Cruise
From NZ$136.78
Otago Water Taxis

Harbour, Albatross & Wildlife Cruise

Sail Otago Harbour on "Adagio" to see wildlife like albatross, penguins, seals, and seabirds. Enjoy expert commentary, historic…

Check Availability →
Milford Sound Boutique Small Boat Cruise
From NZ$198.86
Cruise Milford

Milford Sound Boutique Small Boat Cruise

Your cruise will begin at one of the most scenic points of the journey. You can take in the magnificent view of Mitre Peak (New…

Check Availability →
Cathedral Cove Boat Tour - Cruise
From NZ$145
Cave Cruzer

Cathedral Cove Boat Tour - Cruise

Explore hidden caves, blowholes, and volcanic coastlines on a small boat that reaches places others can't. Enjoy wildlife, …

Check Availability →
One-hour Wildlife Cruise
From NZ$73.65
Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours

One-hour Wildlife Cruise

Sit back and enjoy the scenery as our sturdy boat explores the stunningly beautiful and rugged coastline near the entrance of the Otago…

Check Availability →
60 Minute Ecological River Cruises
From NZ$146.25
CAMJET Boats Tours Cambridge

60 Minute Ecological River Cruises

Camjet’s Ecological River Cruise is a scenic sightseeing jet boat river cruise. The trip is tailored by the customers on board, this…

Check Availability →
Waterfall Cruise & Kayaking Tour
From NZ$103.11
Bay of Islands Night Kayaking LTD

Waterfall Cruise & Kayaking Tour

NZD103.11 Adults Ages 13+ NZD82.07 Children Ages 12 and under Prices for Saturday, 2 May 2026 @ 1pm. Prices include fees. All Age, First…

Check Availability →
Winter Coastal Cruise
From NZ$94.7
Dolphin Seafaris

Winter Coastal Cruise

Experience the magic of winter on a captivating 2.5-hour boat cruise through the Bay of Plenty. Discover photography…

Check Availability →
Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dining - Modern Catamaran
From NZ$159
RealNZ

Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dining - Modern Catamaran

Discover Queenstown's ultimate dining destination, Walter Peak High Country Farm - the only place where you can enjoy a cruise, dinner,…

Check Availability →
Discovery Cruise
From NZ$180
Cruise Te Anau

Discovery Cruise

Sail through Lake Te Anau’s pristine waters, explore lush rainforests, visit hidden lakes, and soak in mountain views—all in an…

Check Availability →
Doughboats
From NZ$162.62
Doughboats Lake Taupo

Doughboats

Sail Lake Taupo in eco-friendly donut boats, gliding quietly with music and colorful lights. Perfect for family or friends, up to 6…

Check Availability →

Types of Tours

Milford Sound Cruise

Glide beneath towering fiord walls and cascading waterfalls on one of the world's most scenic waterways. Most cruises run 1.5-2.5 hours.

Bay of Islands Sailing

Island-hop through 144 subtropical islands on a catamaran or tall ship. Dolphins, snorkelling stops, and the famous Hole in the Rock.

Whale & Dolphin Watch

Kaikoura is world-renowned for sperm whale sightings year-round. Dusky dolphins, orcas, and Hector's dolphins also frequent NZ waters.

Jet Boat Adventure

Shotover Jet and Huka Falls jet boats deliver high-speed thrills through narrow canyons and crystal-clear rivers.

Where to Go

Milford Sound

Fiordland

Sheer granite peaks, Stirling Falls, and resident fur seals. Accessible via the scenic Milford Road from Te Anau.

Bay of Islands

Northland

144 islands, warm waters, and bottlenose dolphins. Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock are the headline cruises.

Kaikoura

Canterbury

Year-round sperm whale sightings backed by the Kaikoura Ranges. Albatross and dolphin encounters too.

Auckland Harbour

Auckland

City-skyline cruises, Waiheke Island ferries, and America's Cup sailing experiences on the Hauraki Gulf.

Abel Tasman

Nelson/Tasman

Water taxi and kayak combos along golden-sand beaches inside the national park.

Akaroa

Canterbury

Volcanic harbour home to the world's smallest dolphin (Hector's). French colonial charm on shore.

Tips

Book Milford Early

Peak season (Dec-Feb) sells out weeks ahead. Morning departures get calmer water and better light.

Seasickness Prep

Kaikoura and offshore trips can be rough. Take medication 30 minutes before boarding, sit mid-vessel.

Layer Up

Fiordland water temperature hovers around 12C even in summer. Bring a windproof jacket for open decks.

Check Cancellations

Weather cancellations are common in Fiordland and Kaikoura. Most operators offer free rebooking or refunds.

Ready to Explore?

Browse tours from verified local operators across New Zealand.

Browse Boat Tours →

2026 Awards · editorial spotlights

Nominees we wrote up ourselves. They did not pay for these pages and had no say in them.

Best Wildlife CruiseMonarch Wildlife Cruises & ToursOtago Peninsula, Dunedin · from NZ$73.65 Best Island AccessRakiura AdventureHalfmoon Bay, Stewart Island · from NZ$47.35