NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand's best.
New Zealand's 15 most popular cruises & boat tours, in one place. What each one is actually like, who runs it, and what you will pay.
Glide through Waitomo Glowworm Caves by boat, then walk the Cathedral. Learn geology and Māori lore on a 1-hour guided trip.
“good gudie to take you through the caves, and on to the noat ride.”
Join a Kaikoura catamaran cruise for giant sperm whale sightings, plus dolphins, seals and seabirds, with expert onboard narration.
“Friendly staff and we all enjoyed every single minute so highly recommended this activity”
Small-group Milford Sound day trip from Queenstown with hotel pickup, UNESCO Fiordland stops, and a Cruise Milford fjord cruise.
“Danny was an excellent guide! He took good care of us and made sure we were comfortable and helped us take pictures at the photo stops. There was a good balance between rest and interaction on the coach and the atmosphere Read more”
Half-full Milford Sound cruise with lounge seating, hot drinks, live skipper narration, and close wildlife and Mitre Peak photo stops.
“Small enough number of people such that everyone was able to get a good view of everything! Funny and good captain who was able to get close to the seals and waterfall”
3.5-hour catamaran whale watch from Kaikoura with live commentary, sperm whale sightings, and an 80% refund if no whale appears.
“Crew were very welcoming, friendly and attentive. Captain Fred provided good commentary and demonstrates good local knowledge.”
Cruise Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak for a wood-fired BBQ feast, farm dog and sheep show, and optional woolshed tea in Queenstown.
“This was a fantastic trip and would highly recommend. The steamer cruise was great. Able to see the fire in engines. The captain and crew all very helpful. The bbq dinner was amazing. Meats so tender and moist. Salads fresh and zingy. Wonderful cheeses and cold meats. Wonderful deserts. Waiting staff very helpful. The sheep…”
A 2-hour small-boat cruise in Milford Sound with close-up waterfalls, wildlife sightings, and live skipper commentary plus warm drinks.
“Just a beautiful location. Guides and skipper were very knowledgeable. Thanks for the fresh water spray at the waterfall……we certainly knew we were alive!!!”
Shotover River extreme jet boat in Queenstown with 360 spins and canyon runs. Small-group ride, shuttle options, lockers, and photo shop.
“It is fun and involves turns and some splashes. No need to over pack. At some stops, okay to take out cell phone for photos”
Small-group Milford Sound day trip from Queenstown with scenic stops, a 1hr45 cruise, and a packed picnic lunch in a Mercedes van.
“We’ve just returned from the Milford Sound day trip and cannot recommend the experience highly enough. Pick up was bang on time, the bus was modern and comfortable, lunch was delicious, and all of the stops were really well spaced and worthwhile. Falls Creek in particular was incredible! Our guide, Chelsea, was warm, welcoming, incredibly…”
2-hour Akaroa harbour catamaran cruise for Hector’s dolphins, seals, and penguins, with NZ drink and cookies. Stable and comfy.
“This was a wonderful experience! We saw penguins, dolphins, seals, and shags. The boat was small but spacious. We also really loved to ship's dog, he was so cute and friendly.”
Fly from Queenstown to Milford Sound, enjoy a 1h45 cruise, then fly back a different way for extra alpine scenery.
“Incredible experience flying from Queenstown to Milford Sound and then cruising through the fjord. Everyone on the plane gets a window seat so there is no missing out on views!”
4.5-hour eco safari by catamaran from Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour to spot whales, dolphins, seals, penguins, seabirds, and more.
“Enjoyed dolphins , glimpses of penguins but no whales despite valiant attempt by crew. Great education!”
1-hour Queenstown jet boat on Lake Wakatipu and the Shotover and Kawarau rivers with heated rails, 360 spins, and fast thrills.
“Amazing fun experience. Jack our pilot for the trip was amazing and very knowledgeable. Stopping to give info about parts of areas we were shooting up . Around a 1hr and 40kms distance at speeds of upto 95kph/ nigh on 60mph. Twice the length of other operators and half the price . Highly recommend”
Milford Sound by glass-roof coach from Queenstown: scenic Milford Road stops and a 2-hour nature cruise with wildlife spotting.
“The trip was really great. Everything went exactly as planned. We were grateful for RealNZ picking us up and dropping off near our hotel, enabling us to avoid the steep walk into downtown Queenstown. Our driver was Paulie, he made the trip so much better than expected for us. He is very knowledgeable about the…”
Fly from Queenstown to Milford Sound, then cruise for 2 hours. Guaranteed window seats, up-close falls, and big wildlife moments.
“Milford Sound from the air is absolutely unforgettable. I was blessed with perfect weather on the day of my visit, and taking the plane was definitely the right choice. The aerial views were truly breathtaking, even more so than the cruise, and the whole experience was very efficient and smooth. I highly recommend this to…”
