Charter Cruises with Bay Explorer

Bookings are essential and can be made directly from this website. Check out availability here:

The boat departs from the Strand Wharf in Tauranga City. (you can find us across the road from  the Starbucks cafe) by the Sweetest thing cafe.

Check-in: 3:15pm for briefing at 3:30pm (The Strand, Tauranga City Waterfront)

Departure: 3:30pm Strand Tauranga

Return: 6:30pm Strand Tauranga

It is very important that you provide contact details (including a New Zealand mobile phone number) where we can get hold of you.

The following items are recommended for all trips:

• A water/drink bottle
• A warm jacket (bring an extra layer or two so you can layer up or layer down according to the weather)
• Eftpos card or cash (we have a licenced bar onboard, coffee, tea plus a range of snacks)
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Camera (check that your camera is charged; we do have a 230v power charger on board as a back-up)
• Binoculars if you have them (we have a pair on board but if you have your own please bring them).

These are recommended for our full day trips:

• Your own lunch (either a packed lunch or food brought for cooking on our free communal onboard BBQ)
• Swimming gear is optional (and recommended) in summer *
• Wetsuits and snorkelling gear if you are proficient *

*Note that extra items can be left on the boat while you participate in our water sports on our full day cruises.

• Cruising on our comfortable vessel BAY EXPLORER.
• Department of Conservation permit: We have a government permit to view dolphins whales and seals, we will spend time with these mammals whenever we see them.
• The shared knowledge and passion of our professional and experienced captain and crew.
• Onboard books and resources
• An onboard licensed bar where you can purchase cold beer, chilled regional wine and much more.

Our full day cruise also includes:

• Anchoring in a secluded island bay, where we can use Paddle Boards and Kayaks
• Use of our onboard communal BBQ at lunch time

Yes you can! We offer Children's pricing for ages 6-12, and children 5 years and under are $20 for all activities.

If bringing children, please be aware of the following:

• While our boat is spacious, it is not a playground and children must be supervised at all times.
• It is not an option to turn around and come back for one passenger, so please only bring your children if you think they will be okay on the boat for the entire duration of the trip.

Of note, any swimming with wild common dolphins is difficult to execute and largely constrained by legalities. By law, NO SWIMMING with dolphins is allowed if there is the presence of juveniles (under the Marine Mammal Protection Act).  However these young animals are adorable to watch and witness from the comfort of the boat..

NOTE: NO commercial operator can offer swimming with dolphins that have juveniles present in the pod, and juveniles are often present over summer months.  You must be made legally aware of this if booking with other operators.

Most importantly, finding wildlife relies on a keen eye and an ability to keep focused on the water; it requires concentration as there is nothing really to focus on the sea and 360° viewing with an infinity of water, but a trained eye can pick up the slightest movement up to a 2km away. Finding the local seabirds and schooling fish can be the gateway to finding dolphins on our safari. It requires an understanding of tidal flows and current movements to find fish and birds. Often you must rely on your own instinct from many encounters in past days. Sometimes we receive information from other vessels out in the Bay who have spotted animals on their own travels.

Current books include:

• WONDERS OF THE SEA: THE PROTECTION OF NEW ZEALAND’S MARINE
• MAMMALS by Kate Mulcahy & Raewyn Peart.
• DOLPHINS OF AOTEAROA. LIVING WITH NZ DOLPHINS by Raewyn Peart