A delightful variety of outdoor adventures await you on Bay of Islands shore excursions. View stunning coastline as you hoist the mainsail on a tall ship’s deck. Kick up sand as you race down high dunes on a sand board. Kayak through lagoons and estuaries, and trek to glow worm-lit caverns. Those on a cruise to the Bay of Islands will see it’s an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise just waiting to be explored.

The area on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand that includes some 140 islands is as renowned for its history as it is for its spectacular beaches and fabulous water activities. When choosing Bay of Islands shore excursions while on your cruise to New Zealand, you’ll have access to all in equal and glorious measure.

Seeing the bay area over the water is a popular way to go, and Bay of Islands cruise excursions offer exciting sea adventures. Take a cruise on a speedy and spacious vessel bound for Piercy Island, where the writer Zane Grey lived during the 1920s. Be amazed as your cruiser glides through the legendary Hole in the Rock, a tunnel cut through the jutting sheer cliffs of the island by eons of time and tide. Set sail on a gaff-rigged ship where you can be part of the crew, taking part in raising the sails, riding the bowsprit, and even steering the ship. Join your fellow passengers on deck for sipping cocktails and sunbathing after a refreshing swim in the calm, blue sea.

The history and culture of northeast New Zealand is yours to discover on Bay of Islands shore excursions. Embark on a journey that takes you to Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the site where the Maori, New Zealand’s native people, and the British signed the Waitangi Treaty, marking the birth of the nation of New Zealand. Tour the Mission House, Stone Store, and Kemp House, the country’s oldest buildings.

Walk in the footsteps of Maori and European explorers on a tour of historic Hokianga, beginning at the harbor, with its beautiful and protective high sand dunes. Trek into the Waipoua Forest and stand in awe of Tane Mahuta, the giant kauri tree that’s thought to be at least 2,500 years old.

See Mother Nature’s majesty and magic on a guided excursion to the Kawiti Cavern, also known as the glow worm caves. In addition to magnificent stalactites and stalagmites, you’ll be treated to the light show created by the bioluminescence of thousands of glow worms that line the walls of the cave.