Reviews of Bay Explorer - Dolphin and Wildlife Cruises. (Museum) in Tauranga (Bay of Plenty).
Bay Explorer - Dolphin and Wildlife Cruises
120 The Strand, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand
Description
Information of Bay Explorer - Dolphin and Wildlife Cruises, Museum in Tauranga (Bay of Plenty)
Here you can see the location, open hours, popular times, contact, photos and real reviews done by the users.
This place has good reviews, this means that they treat their customers well and you’ll feel great with their services, recommended 100%!
Map
Open hours of Bay Explorer - Dolphin and Wildlife Cruises
Sunday
Open 24 hours
Monday
Open 24 hours
Tuesday
Open 24 hours
Wednesday
Open 24 hours
Thursday
Open 24 hours
Friday
Open 24 hours
Saturday
Open 24 hours
Reviews of Bay Explorer - Dolphin and Wildlife Cruises
J.What a fantastic cruise!
Brandon and Lizzy were both fantastic to talk to, and kept everything running smoothly. If we thought we spotted anything they were quick to investigate, too!
We were lucky to see some beautiful dolphins - but even if there had been no wildlife, it would have been a fabulous cruise just by itself!
Definitely recommend it to anyone wanting a nice boat ride with a good chance to see some beautiful wildlife!
J.A dream day out on the water for the ocean and wildlife lovers out there. The Bay of Plenty has got to be right up there for marine life diversity and the trips I have experienced with Bay Explorer have always delivered great wildlife encounters, from Humpback whales, Orca, False killer whales, Sharks and most recently Manta rays! This really is an experience you cannot miss out on when visiting Tauranga.
R.We got to experience our family trip out with Brandon and the team from Bay Explorer today!
What an experience! So worth waiting for!
We got see so many dolphins and other animals. He team is super friendly and helpful. They have a great sense of humour and awesome knowledge!
We had a fantastic experience! Can't wait to go back again!
X.Wonderful experience with Brandon and the crew and of course the dolphins! Brandon and his crew are very knowledgeable about the ocean and have a great sense of humour 🤣 Once the dolphins are spotted, Brandon will open up the very front deck, which is absolutely amazing to be able to see them this close ! Had so much fun seeing these amazing wildlife 🐬 Plus the vessel and crew and everything is awesome ⭐️ Overall it’s a really nice experience!
M.The best wildlife cruise in my life! Awesome captain Brandon and his great crew will share their knowledge of anything you come across during the trip. They really do their best to find anything out there and take very good care of you. What an amazing experience. This is a must do if you are in Tauranga.
M.Awesome day on the water in the Bay of Plenty out on the Bay Explorer, right from the start Brandon and his crew made us feel welcome and the day out in nature was amazing, from the scenery to the wildlife, dolphins, sharks, little blue penguins, school of fish what a great place we live!
Thanks you so much!!! Totally recommend 🤙
M.The bay of plenty dolphin trip was amazing!!! Such a perfect day, after heading out we were joined by a few dolphins, then a little while later we found the main pod and there were heaps!! I’m so glad I had my camera with me to photograph these beautiful creatures. We also saw a seal, some penguins and just saw the tail end of some manga rays!
Brandon and the crew were brilliant and took great care of everyone on the boat which was awesome. Would highly recommend this trip! It was well worth it 🥰🌊😍🐬
E.What an awesome day out! The Water was perfectly blue and bay explorers in the bay of plenty was just superb! We not only saw a massive amount of dolphins but we also saw manta ray, a massive seal 🦭 and penguins as well! 😝 Brandon and his crew were really accommodating on the boat and helped with anything we needed. Was a perfect day to capture on our cameras! Would highly recommend going out on this trip if you get the chance. It’s well worth the trip!
L.What a wonderful experience it is. We managed to see plenty of Dolphins, a blue penguin and a flying fish. Excellent service.
A.Epic day out on the Bay Explorer! Great boat, fun and knowledgeable crew, and incredible wildlife... we saw a big pod of common dolphins (with really young and super cute calves), lots of little blue penguins, a school of blue maomao fish feeding at the surface, some seabirds cruising around, and then got lucky back in Tauranga harbour seeing a group of 8 bronze whaler sharks eating scraps at the back of a fishing boat... I’ve spent years on the ocean and have never seen that before! Thanks so much to Brandon and the crew for a fantastic day in the Bay of Plenty.
A.We had the best time last weekend on board the Bay Explorer for a private charter. This was our second time to book the boat for a group event and I couldn't recommend Brandon and his crew more highly. Everything was very relaxed and stress free and everyone in our group of 50 had a brilliant time onboard. The crew were a great help with the BBQ and even photo taking and will definitely be looking forward to booking with Brandon again. Cheers for all.
K.What an amazing day this was!! Brandon, the skipper promised dolphins and YES we saw a whole pod with a radius of 3 or 4 km around the boat. They really do their utmost best to find the wildlife for you. On the way we also saw the little blue penguins, including a baby penguin and a shark. The boat is spacious and solid, with upper deck, lower deck and a bar. The weather was beautiful, the water calm and Brandon and Taylor (staff) very relaxed. Highly recommend!
H.A absolutely enjoyable half day trip out to see Dolphins and we have seen a lot of these lovely playful creatures. The Crew was so helpful and spotted very well to find Dolphins and other wildlife. Highly recommended.
N.WOW! What can I say except I now truly believe it when people say this is the BEST DAY EVER. The captain Brandon is amazing, super knowledgeable and truly cares about the ocean and Tauranga - it also helps that he is super funny too! The crew is brill and always making sure you are having a great time. They even led us to a super pod of over 200 Dolphins! The experience was amazing, seeing the dolphins splash and play right next to the boat. They have ample viewing space, as well as 360 degree views from their upper deck. They never fill the boat to ensure everyone is comfortable and not too crowded. I did the full day tour to the island and that was a lovely extra, to anchor up in a calm beautiful bay and have fun jumping off the boat into the water. I'll be doing a tour again in a heartbeat! Great idea for gifts for Christmas, Birthdays, Valentines... you name it! Thank you so much Bay Explorer.
S.What a wonderful early Christmas experience (rather than stuff) for the whole family. We couldn't have asked for a nicer day and Brendon Heidi and the team on board this day made everyone feel welcome and part of something really special...even doing a quick turn back to pick up a very grateful family that had missed the boat! This can be a weather (swell, winds) dependant departure, we had an unreal 1/2 day trip, enjoying every minute while discovering the wonders of the deep and learning more about the area and our own stunning backyard. This should be on both your supporting local and must-do lists and is an outing that is suitable for all ages young and young at heart! It will leave you feeling like you've really had a wonderful small holiday away enjoying nature, the ocean and stunning views for a day with a much greater appreciation of how lucky we really are to live in such an amazing part of the world! Thank you : )
M.Very friendly and understanding staff. They made an effort to ensure we felt comfortable throughout the trip and gave us lots of information. We were lucky to have a beautiful day and were able to see lot of Dolphins and other marine wildlife. Staff were very understanding and helpful around children which was really good to see!
H.What a wonderful experience we had with Brandon and Heidi on our half day cruise. Their knowledge, their care and humour just completed this magnificent excursion. We were entertained by a large pod of dolphins and gannets diving into the water for fish. An awesome day! 😀
T.I have a huge level of respect and appreciation for Brandon and the Crew on Bay Explorer. Every time we go out there is always plenty to see and we always see dolphins! Such an awesome and amazing day out on our moana. 100% definitely recommend
A.Spectacular adventure, exciting trip with the best views and the wonderful and unpredictable marine life.
The boat is comfortable, safe and very clean.
Thank you brandon and all the staff for helping us make a dream come true.
E.Big Blue Backyard around Mt. Maunganui. A Day out on the BAY EXPLORER with Skipper Brandon is not to be missed. We encountered 2 different pods of Delphinus Delphis (Common Dolphin) Nothing common about this adventure. It was Awesome!!. The two cuties pictured were convinced the dophins were leading us to a mysterious Aquatic Mermaidland. Loved the Storm Petrels or 'Jesus' Birds that skipped on top of the water. We encountered a whole host of bird life including little blue penguins and Gulls. Always something to look at.
J.Had an awesome day out on the water with Bay Explorer this Sunday, we saw a huge pod of dolphins and cruised with them, it was surreal. Can't say enough about what a wonderful day it was, and really enjoyed the crew and skipper, they were incredibly knowledgable and friendly!!
L.This is without a doubt a must do for anyone local or tourists on holidays here in the Bay of Plenty. We went on a family day trip back in November and we were so amazed at the hundreds of dolphins & 4 Orca whales we came across in our Ocean. The staff are the friendliest around and they educate you onboard about the marine life you encounter. There is a bar on board to purchase snacks & drinks. You can choose a lunch portion if you book on the website.
We had so much fun we did it again today so we went as a family of 10 adults and 5 children. We came across huge pods of dolphins, a few penguins, 2 hammerhead sharks, and all sorts of other marine life. It was spectacular to say the least. Support NZ tourism and support local tourism here in Tauranga. You will not be disappointed. Amazing memories and fun times🐬 Thank you Bay Explorer, you have given us the most amazing experiences we have ever had.
S.Had a fantastic day out with Bay Explorer today. The friendly staff showed us; lots of little blue penguins, a big hammerhead shark, loads of dolphins (including claves) and two huge manta rays 😍.
K.What an amazing day we had exploring the open waters of Tauranga with the @bayexplorer_nz today. My folks are visiting from Hungary and this year my mum is 60, so I decided it's time we do something special. We were soo lucky to experience a huge encounter with Common Dolphins today. IT was a truly magical experience. Even my 2.5y old was sitting peacefully on the top of the nose of the boat and just admiring these amazing creatures! Thanks guys, I wish I could do this once a week at least!
G.An awesome experience, we saw plenty of dolphin. The pods were curious and swam alongside the boat for around an hour
B.I can’t tell you how amazing a day out on the Bay Explorer is. You will have to experience it for yourself. As a local to the area I take advantage of many of the experiences in Tauranga. THIS IS THE BEST! I have been out on this boat many times and each time I see something awe inspiring and amazing. Hammerhead sharks, blue sharks, mako sharks, bronze whaler sharks, Orca, Brydes Whale, false killer whales, pilot whales, leatherback turtles, fur seals, sunfish, kingfish, little blue penguins, gannets, Jesus birds, albatross, shearwaters and of course DOLPHINS! (Common and bottlenose.). I would challenge anyone not to smile like a maniac when watching dolphins in the wild and this is the place to do it.
The boat is large and there is always plenty of room. There is a bbq on board for you to cook your own lunch free of charge, and a fully stocked licensed bar.
The lunchtime stop is always a highlight. Kayaking and stand up paddle boarding are available but I always take my mask and snorkel. The fish life around the local island is jaw dropping to see.
One of the highlights of my life happened when out on this boat when I was snorkelling and was joined by 3 New Zealand Fur Seals. It was exhilarating as they swam around and jumped over me. It is an experience I will never forget.
For a whole day out, this trip is exceptional value for money.
The crew are extremely friendly, knowledgeable and always willing to help.
Get yourself on the Bay Explorer. You will not regret it!!!
R.A fantastic day out with Bay Explorer. The team were friendly and professional, the boat was great with different options for viewing (top deck or under cover), and the dolphins we saw were absolutely incredible. Highly recommended!!
P.I had a fantastic time on my bay explore trip with my friends. It was an awesome time on the boat with great weather. We came across over a hundred dolphins and also saw lots a different birds and flying fish, it was sweet.
The crew, Heidi and Brandon were really cool and helpful and had so many interesting facts about all the sea life and the local surroundings. They showed everybody on the trip an absolutely wonderful time.
I would highly recommend the bay explorer to everyone and I can’t wait to go again to see more of the bay. Thank you guys.
A.Bay Explorers took my family to Tuhua Mayor Island today for my 60th birthday.
Brandon, Amy & co were sensational in their delivery of the most incredible cruising with the dolphins. Upon arrival we played for hours with kayaks, paddle boards & snorkeling.
Their professionalism & friendliness made our day to be one of life long memories of a very special experience
Highly highly recommend
C.One of the most delightful experiences I've ever had! Being able to observe dolphins, penguins and a shark in their natural habitat was simply sublime.
As if that wasn't enough, the captain and crew were amazing! Passionate and respectful of the sea and its creatures, always ready to answer questions and share their knowledge.
Thank you Brandon and Heidi 💙
F.We took our school out on the Bay Explorer and had an amazing experience. We were very lucky to see a lot of wild life including two separate pods of dolphins. Brandon and his crew were so great with the students and shared their knowledge with them. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity for most of our us. Definitely recommend for everyone and anyone.
M.Best day out I've had in a long time! We had dozens of wild dolphins only a couple of metres away from us, so it was definitely one of the most authentic experiences I've had in nature. Also a big thanks to the captain and crew for being excellent hosts. Keep up the good work!
J.Awesome experience! Was incredible to see so many dolphins swimming and playing right alongside the boat. Also saw some little blue penguins and lots of sea birds. Brandon the skipper was brilliant at getting us among the dolphins but also being very respectful of them and ensuring we didn't overstay our welcome. He also told us lots of interesting facts about the dolphins and other marine wildlife. The other crew members, Heidi abd Maia, were also really friendly and helpful. Heidi did an amazing job at spotting dolphins over 2km away! Totally recommend a trip on Bay Explorer. We are so lucky to be in NZ and be able to do this sort of thing so please support local.
a.Wow! What an incredible experience! Brandon and Heidi gave us the best time. Really easy going people who love what they do. Seeing the dolphins play around the boat,and connect with us as we admired their beauty and their endearing antics, was something that will stay with me.
I would 100% recommend this trip.
A.This trip was the best dolphin, whale watching experience I have ever been on. The boat is so comfortable and perfect for experiencing the wildlife in the area. The crew are warm, friendly and knowledgeable. They genuinely want you to have a fantastic experience out on the water. I did. I can't rate them highly enough. Thank you so much.
C.For quite a while the dolphins eluded us, but Brandon and Heidi put huge amounts of effort into looking for wildlife, and we ended up hanging out with a massive pod of dolphins, which was incredible! The info given about the wildlife was really interesting and overall had a great day. Would recommend this company to anyone wanting to see dolphins and other animals in their natural habitat.
M.Going out on the Bay Explorer boat with Brandon and Heidi was one of the most memorable days of my summer! I felt like we'd got our moneys worth before we'd left the harbour! Brandon is a wealth of knowledge and his passion for the wild world that we live in is tangible. We saw incredible ganet colonies feeding in the middle of the ocean, we saw so many dolphins and they were so interested in us and played around the boat! Heidi was an epic host, feeding us information about the ocean and wildlife that's typical in the area all day! She really made us feel at home on the boat and we look forward to going again! I can't recommend a trip with the Bay Explorer enough!
M.We had a fantastic day with Bay Explorer. They tracked down a massive pod of dolphins, the. We stopped at an island to have a picnic and use kayaks and paddle boards. Option of snorkeling if you book it in advance.
A.This is a must do experience to get a true appreciation of The Bay of Plenty, beautiful clear water, helpful crew and a pod of 80 dolphins 🐬 we followed along for 11kms giving everyone on board a lovely connected experience.
K.Amazing day on the water with such a great team leading us!!! We had to reschedule due to weather conditions which Brandon and the team were more then accommodating about and we ended up with perfect conditions to spot wildlife! The team was so knowledgeable about the area and the animals, we are soo appreciative and grateful for this experience BEST DAY EVER!!! could not have asked for more from this experience! Huge shout out to owner and staff... i was even able to spot a few wildlife animals myself with a little bit of guidance!! Great to see the animals in their own habitat, hammerhead sharks and a huge pod of friendly playful dolphins! Will never forget this day 😄😄😄
D.This tour makes you feel alive!
Brandon and the crew made this trip an absolute outstanding experience.
They truly want you to dive into the moment.
And we did.
After only 1 1/2 hours we saw the first of 2 pods of dolphins that day.
And what shall I say?
Seeing these animals so close, approaching and circulating the boat was just stunning.
You really had the feeling they have a lot of fun with the boat.
As soon as they recognised it they came straight towards it.
That gives you the opportunity to see them as close as 1 meter.
Seeing their scars, skin and eyes.
If you haven't done it yet - you missed out on a life lasting experience!
M.The team at Bay Explorer are awesome, they totally put in 100% effort to make sure we saw as much wildlife as possible, even extending the length of our trip to make sure we saw dolphins. Much appreciated! A bonus for us was the vegan, gluten free lunch. We are always happy to be able to choose cruelty free food at the same time as appreciating animals in their natural environment. Perfect!
T.We had a great day out with the guys at Bay Explorer. Weather was perfect and all the boxes were ticked with dolphins, penguins and service. They got the balance right with being informative without being preachy. Friendly, professional and genuinely looking like they were enjoying themselves as well. They had a boat full of happy punters. Cheers to the crew at Bay Explorer.
M.Brandon, Heidi and the team gave us an awesome day. Right from the start, as they take the time to talk to, and welcome, each and every customer. The crew were knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. All round a friendly and relaxed day for us and our daughter (11).
We were lucky with the weather and finding an extended pod of common dolphins which were with us for maybe 45 minutes.
Highly recommended. Thank you guys!
A.This was an absolute amazing and incredible experience. Brandon and Heidi were a super team and made the day great for everyone. We saw a huge pod of Dolphins, and we were so close to the water that we could hear the dolphins talking in the water. We also got to see a couple of little blue penguins as well. My daughter is autistic and they were really good with her. Thank you for an amazing day
L.Thanks Brandon & the Bay Explorer team, Nick & Jack for a spectacular day out discovering the deep blue that lies in our backyard here in the beautiful BOP. I loved snorkelling with the NZ Fur Seals & venturing out on the kayak.
The staff have very honed super senses spotting Little Penguins, Hammerhead & Blue Sharks. You shared great local & cultural knowledge that further enriched our experience.
Fabulous company & delicious food completed a very special day.
Thanks again for the magical memories!
W.What a magical experience from a great crew. Skipper Brandon was excellent at keeping us informed and went over and above to make sure we got to see dolphins even if it meant going out further and getting back later. Well worth it. Great experience and value for money. Recommend to anyone visiting the Bay. We had been talking about doing it for several years. Glad we did now. And to support our local tourism industry.
C.This was an amazing trip! Took my seven year old nephew who also had a great day. The skipper was very knowledgeable about everything about the different animals. Took a bit longer to find the dolphins but when we did it was a once in a lifetime experience! 100% recommend this trip. We also got to see a leatherback turtle, sharks and penguins.
M.We had such a fantastic half a day out with the amazing team on the Bay Explorer boat last weekend. From the beginning the atmosphere was very relaxed but still very professional. The trip out was a bit rocky but personally we enjoyed it and it was so worth the ride when we caught up to a massive pod of dolphins who put on an amazing show for us all, it totally bought me to tears (happy tears as I had to explain to my 5 year old). The information provided by the skipper was exceptional - he is clearly very knowledgeable and can capture an audience with his insights. The other two team members were also fabulous, friendly and a perfect mix of chilled and professional. I'm keen to join them again for the day trip and see what other amazing marine and wildlife we can observe. Thanks again to the wonderful team for this experience - it'll stay with us for a lifetime. Mia, Henare & Zac
T.We had a great experience out with the Bay Explorer crew. They certainly knew their stuff, were enthusiastic, welcoming and just all round great! Seeing the dolphins from the front of the boat was definately a highlight for our family. We look forward to going out again later in the year! Thanks again guys!
A.Highly recommend going out with Brandon, Heidi and the crew. Our whānau had a wonderful day at sea, hanging out with two seprate pods of dolphins, spotted a shark and some penguins. Brandon and Heidi and fantastic hosts, they love and respect these animals. Full of knowledge and a few good jokes. Our 5 year old said it was the best day of her life. Thanks once again for letting us get up and close with these beautiful animals.
A.Fantastic half day tour out into the big blue and an unforgettable experience seeing the dolphins close up in their natural environment. Brandon and Tyler were extremely welcoming, friendly and ensured we all had a good time while on the cruise. Would love to return and do the full day experience with the island stopover when that resumes.
M.When you're thinking of "things to do in Tauranga", a wildlife cruise with the bay explorer is a must do! Our cruise had an amazing experience with a pod of wild dolphins and also a really awesome encounter with some NZ fur seals. It was an amazing day out on the water and they truly lived up to their slogan - "Best Day Ever"
I would Fully recommend to anyone
E.Amazing day! Saw so many dolphins and the weather was beautiful! Totally recommend doing this tour!
A.This is an experience that I would highly recommend for families and those keen to experience being up close to the dolphins. We were very lucky to encounter 5 pods of them in our trip and both my 3 and 8 year old was amazed by this trip. Great staff and skipper. We'll worth the price and great way to support local economy and businesses.
N.Had the most epic time with Bay Explorer on their full day island & wildlife tour. It was such an amazing experience seeing so many dolphins RIGHT next to us, was also lovely to see my partner Nicole's face light up every time they jumped about. The island stop over was a lot of fun with kayaking and watching Nicole jump off the boat (she's braver than me for sure haha!) The Captain Brandon was great - kept us well informed, taught us about so much and made us laugh. I would highly recommend this experience!
K.Great day out, got to see some dolphins up close, did some kayaking around motiti island and. Thank you Bay Explorer team 👍🏼
M.We had an amazing day. Beautiful weather and we've seen a lot of dolphins. Brandon and Heidi are very lovely and so helpful. I would definitely do this again and bring my family along.
L.Myself and my misses got to experience a trip of a life time on 30/01/2021 was super amazing the crew are awesome alot of knowledge from the maunga to tangaroa and also the sea creatures themselves this trip really blew my expectations so thanks brendon and Heidi ka pai👌seen about 100 dolphins 🤣 just a stab in the dark but It wouldnt be far off that mark! Schools of kahawai and the massive hammer head just soaking in sunray was awesome! So all in all I highly recommend this to anyone trip of a life they definitely get you connected with nature!
I will definitely be booking on again thanks guys👍
J.Had a great day on the water followed by a Sunset cruise. Brandon and the team were super friendly and very passionate about sharing the marine environment, we saw a huge number of Dolphins two massive pods one of the way out and one on the way back!
S.We have lived in the mount for years and can’t believe we didn’t go sooner! What an amazing experience and we are so glad we went with these guys! Brandon was awesome and really knowledgeable! We say heaps of dolphins, I never expected to get so lucky. Money very well spent!! Thanks guys, Sarah, Ryan and Amber
A.Went out on Bay Explorer yesterday. Awesome vibe with skipper & crew setting us up to "be in nature". Awesome encounter with about 80 Delphis delphis (too beautiful to be called common dolphins), large shoals of feeding kahawai, seabirds & the marine foodweb in action. Commentary was interesting & engaging. Highly recommend for a day out on our Blue Backyard!
J.Amazing day out with Bay Explorer! Watched dolphins swimming, other wildlife on the day included New Zealand Fur Seals out in the blue water off Tauranga, penguins made a quick appearance at the base of Mount Maunganui.
Will definitely come out with Brandon and the crew again to try spot Orca and some other whales!
Thank you for an awesome day in the sun 🌞
N.I wasn't super excited about "dolphin watching" when our trip was booked, seen one and you've seen them all kinda thing. However, this was the BEST DAY EVER! Can't fault this team on their knowledge, great enthusiasm and just a genuine love for nature in all forms.
Thanks guys for an amazing day!
B.Me and my partner went on the half day wildlife cruise, it was nothing short of an amazing day out on the water from start to finish! Brandon and Amy are very informative about the local area and wildlife. They know the area really well and are your best chance to see marine mammals, shark's, turtle's and much more! What's more important is that they don't chase the animals, they respect the animals, unlike other wildlife cruises we've been on before! All while making sure the customers have the best day seeing wild animals in their own environment! Can't recommend them enough, best value for money wildlife cruise in Tauranga and NZ!
A.What a awesome experience thanks to skipper Brandon my family loved their day out highly recommend an a must do
M.Twice I've been on this trip now, & I'd do it again. Both times we've landed beautiful conditions in order to capture & experience great sightings. Big ups to the incredibly
informative crew that cater a comfortable cruise. Your heart will be put in its right place to respect & appreciate our own big blue back yard even more. Treat the whanau, treat yourself.
B.Wow, this was truely a stunning experience!
This was an amazing trip that made me truely proud to be living in such a beautiful country.
With dolphins at every corner of the boat swimming peacefully and performing for everyone, there were hundreds! Everyone on the boat was amazed! Don't get me started on those fur seals. they're just too cute. My brother went on this trip a week before and saw a Whale Shark! It even made it to NZ Herald!
Amazing, friendly and hospitable service WITH a bar!
I couldn't have asked for a better trip. It was such an amazing time. Recommended for anyone visiting NZ and also or the locals! A truely beautiful area in New Zealand.
Very easy to find and located right in the Tauranga CBD docked in the habour.
5 Stars!
D.Treated my 10 yr old son and I to this trip yesterday. Brandon and Heidi extremely committed Kaitiaki and full of up to date knowledge on the area of Tauranga Moana both above and below the ocean. Heidi's customer service was brilliant especially to the teenagers onboard who were struggling to leave their devices. Lots of stand outs, pods of dolphins being one so quickly out of the harbour entrance - and that Tuhua was always Tuhua in reference. Highly recommend - don't forget your sea legs!
Donna & Jake Te Wheoro-Mills
V.As the name suggests ‘the Best day ever’. We are a family of 4 who booked for the 8 hour Bay explorer trip with Brandon (skipper), Amy and Jack! This was a birthday present for our older girl who turned 10 on the day. Our daughter had (according to her) “The BEST BIRTHDAY EVER” and a big thank you to all the crew members who made it a very special day for her. The trip was thoroughly enjoyable and thrilling for children and adults alike as we ran into three pods of dolphins two of which were large pods with over a 100 dolphins which put on quite a show for us often swimming very close to the boat and leaping above the waves. We also had the good fortune of seeing the worlds smallest penguin at close quarters, a variety of fish and birds. For the more active of the passengers there were a variety of activities as we moored off the coast of the one of the islands. These included snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming. There is a variety of food and beverages on board including alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks, if you prefer to bring your own food there are BBQ facilities on board. The crew are very well informed about the marine life that we come across on these tours and are extremely adept at spotting wildlife that are not easily visible to the untrained eye. The passengers are also instructed on how and what to look out for in terms of marine life. Jack, Amy and Brandon are all very friendly and approachable. It was a truly amazing experience for all four of us. Thank you again Brandon, Amy and Jack for making it the best day ever!
J.An awesome day on the water with an awesome crew! Absolutely stunning to get out to see what the Bay of Plenty has to offer!!
B.Thank you to Nick and Heidi! We had a great day out on the water. We saw a pod of dolphins and their babies!! We have never seen dolphins so close to us. This was an awesome experience. A fantastic gift from our children. Highly recommended.
K.Great day with family, cruising from Mount Maunganui to Mayor Island on the Bay Explorer. Saw many dolphins, even a juvenile which the kids loved. The skipper (Brandon) and crew have insightful knowledge of local wildlife and were excellent hosts on our Island Cruise. The vessel has plenty of space: inside and outside, sun or shade. Summer is on its way and we'll certainly be visiting them again for another trip with friends.
A.Just had an awesome day out on the Bay Explorer. We had a lovely dolphin encounter with a large pod of dolphins. My daughter and I loved sitting up the front of the boat and even though we didn't go dolphin swimming we absolutely enjoyed watching these beautiful creatures playing around and captured some great photos. I have to say this is the best dolphin watching experience I have ever had.
We also saw seals, penguins and a leather back turtle, something I never knew existed in these waters.
As if we hasn't seen enough already, on the way back we saw Orca, wow that was such a buzz!! I love these creatures.
Thanks guys for such an awesome day.
Absolutely loved it!!
a.Honestly an amazing experience we encountered dolphins and a big turtle. If your looking for a chill but exiting adventure this is the place to go. Just make sure to bring some anti sea sick pills because it can get a bit bumpy other then that I really recommend this if like dolphins :D
R.What an awesome experience today on Bay Explorer...saw at least 100 dolphins, sightings of a humpback whale, seals and penguins. Definitely want to do this again, highly recommend them...Brandon and the crew were Awesome as well👍👍👍🛥🐬🐋🐳🐧
T.Terrific day out with the friendly team at Bay Explorer. We were blessed with the weather and wildlife - being greeted by pods of dolphins, orca, a leatherback turtle and a seal! Everyone was in awe. Thank you Brandon - a fabulous way to spend a Sunday.
B.Our family had a fantastic day
The crew certainly made the magic happen on New Year’s Eve
Thank you
P.We were staying in the mount for new years and happened to find this cruise online. We got a perfect day for cruising and found a pod of 9 or 10 dolphins. The crew were awesome and kept spotting wildlife for us to see. Highly recommended if you're in the area over summer.
B.Fabulous afternoon exploring the beauty of Tauranga from the water. Great boat with plenty of outdoor and indoor space, well-stocked bar and BBQ facilities onboard – what more could you ask for! Highly recommend Brandon and his team. Thanks so much for having us.
E.I loved this cruise! Kind and accommodating crew made it extra special, especially with their sincere interest and care for our wildlife. We saw and cruised with hundreds of dolphins up close and enjoyed the flexibility of hanging around when seeing them, instead of just cruising off again. The midday water sports in the Mayor Island/Tuhua Bay was a lot of fun too!! It's good to be crazy sometimes! 😋***Thank you guys for the breathtaking experience***
n.What a truly amazing sea adventure out on the big blue, I took my 5 year old son with me and he had the most amazing day out watching the dolphins swim up the bow of the vessel we also saw seals, sharks, penguins and stingray, and that was just on the way out to the island !! and wow how beautiful the bay was where we stopped for lunch calm clear waters and sun beaming made for a great day out. I would definitely recommend to anyone to experience this day out the staff were so friendly and knowledgeable on the marine life within the area.
C.Did this last week with Bay Explorer. One of the best things we’ve ever done & it’s right there in our backyard! We’ve lived here for 15 years & have talked so often about taking this trip so finally decided we would.
Around 1.5 hours after setting off, we spotted approx 80 dolphins & cruised with them all for over an hour. They are the most beautiful creatures & we felt so close to them when we sat at the bow of the boat! We also saw other fantastic sights like gannets dive bombing into the sea to catch fish then later, we were treated to a feeding frenzy of small fish by larger fish which created what looked like a boiling sea. Incredible!
Finally, on our way back home as we cruised in the harbour, our captain Brandon spotted a solitary little blue penguin just bobbing about. Excitedly, he maneuvered the boat alongside the penguin so we could all get a good look. Awesome!
Would totally recommend these guys... our crew Heidi & Taylor were informative & helpful & the passion for the environment shown by Brandon was evident throughout. ❤️
A.Had a great day out on Bay Explorer to Mayor island. Saw lots of wildlife including blue penguins, a blue shark and hammerheads. The real highlight though was snorkelling up close to the fur seals - wow!! Even managed to reel in a tuna and the crew sashimied it for us to taste. This is a must do activity in the Bay of Plenty, you are in good hands with Brandon and his crew who are all so knowledgable and passionate about the marine wildlife and the area!
s.What an outstanding tour......great team and what a special day to be able to be in a pod of 80 dolphins and follow them for 11km's. Very memorable and a must do tour if you are in the bay.
E.Would have to rate this one of the Top ten activies to do in New Zealand !!!. Cruising out beside Mt maunganui we watched a large pod Dolphins, who decided to join the expedition; happily swimming beside us. We then went snorkeling in the Bay of an island, while other adventure goers chose paddle boards, kayaks or even all three. Our pod of wild dolphins then meet us again on our trip back to Tauranga. All in all an awesome day out watching dolphins, seals, penguins and more with the family. Best value for money, i would highly recommend ☆☆☆☆☆
Will definitely be returning next year for some swimming, dolphin and whale watching ☺.
G.We had the most incredible day out on the Bay Explorer. We saw a massive super pod of 200+ Common Dolphins, Seals, bird life and the local moana. Brandan and crew were so welcoming and informative – I'd thoroughly recommend.
A.It was nice experience and fortunately we got to see Dolphins and Orcas. Six hours is a bit stretching and long so take some sea sickness nausea pills and lunch with you. Enjoy
E.What a wonderful day out! Do not miss this if you’re in the area!! We saw huge pods of dolphins who stayed with the boat for ages, Orca whales, An Acrobatic Mako Shark, penguins and an array of birds and fish (flying ones too!) The water where we anchored for a swim was Spectacular and there’s also the opportunity to snorkel, paddle board or kayak. Perfect way to spend the day & all the crew were lovely! You can take a packed lunch or food for a bbq and there’s also a bar on board with snacks, drinks (alcoholic or not). There’s all day parking right next to the dock which is free on the weekend or about $6 for the day during the week which is super handy! More than worth the money spent this was a fantastic & memorable day out
N.have wanted to do something like this for such a long time with hubby. finally got the chance when we found it wasnt just half the price but also twice as long on the water than the auckland one we had seen. took our 1 year old daughter who was free of charge and had a fab time kayaked with some friendly seals and even encountered a pod of dolphins. saw 2 sharks aswell unfortunately no whales this time which I so wanted to see but overall a great affordable day and what a view!
F.The family all went out on Bay Explorer together to celebrate a birthday. Ages 87yrs down to 3 yrs. Something for everyone. Super day out with a BBQ lunch, kayaking, swimming, paddle boarding, dolphins, great fun a fantastic experience. Thanks to Brandon and crew.
B.Had a great experience. The crew was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. Loved how they respected nature and the wildlife. Would certainly recommend and book again!!
Was a once in a lifetime day.
K.Awesome experience. Crew were amazing. Felt so relaxed. Saw at least 100 dolphins, seals and Blue penguins. I would recommend doing this trip. Would do this again. Thank you.
S.Awesome Journey! Friendly and knowledgeable staff with respect for the animals. We saw a lot of common dolphins, ocean dolphins, and also false killer whale and penguins. I highly recommend doing this trip!
W.Beautiful little cruise... make sure you ask to be dropped off for an hour on the island... Quietly delightful
G.This was a great trip. Brandon and Heidi are kind, friendly and knowledgeable hosts. It was a great trip.
Do this! You won't regret it.
W.What an amazing way to spend a day! It really is unbelievable what amazing wildlife is right on our backyard. I'm a Tauranga local and am in the water all the time, but was still gobsmacked by the trip. I thoroughly recommed this for locals and tourists alike. Thanks Brandon!
T.Located in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, the Bay Explorer offers half day and full day tours giving you the opportunity to get up close and personal with dolphins, whales and other sea life.
A.What an amazing Day, dolphins, penguins, seal.... And a big thank you to Heidi and Nick to spot the biggest group of dolphins I ever saw and bring such a positive energy on the boat!!!
t.Excellent opportunity to experience the marine life of the Bay; good fun too.
A.I had an amazing day with these people. Thank you so much
R.Had a fantastic Christmas work day out on the Bay Explorer, saw dolphins, paddle boarded, yummy lunch and fantastic day all around - Thank you.
D.Such a great day out... saw leather back turtle and so many dolphin swimming along with us...great hosts :)
E.Great expirience, amazing crew, and fantastic half-day trip. Dolphins and orcas. Highly recommended.
A.Awesome day out! Kids loved it. We saw heaps and the crew was amazing. Well worth it
A.Saw a huge pod of dolphins and got to kayak next to a beautiful island. Awesome crew and boat, well worth the trip!
G.What an amazing day! Excellent crew, spectacular wildlife and a wonderful family experience.
F.We had a fantastic day out. I would recommend these guys to anyone. A great, friendly crew.
a.It was an awesome trip that we enjoyed a lot. The blue water and waves....felt so adventurous too...
O.Perfect day for our end of year Xmas do! Thank you so much Brandan and Heidi!
k.Outstanding customer service and they look after you very well and specially Taylor good job guys keep it up hopefully c u again
j.Very nice half day trip with excellent staff and lots of wonderful wildlife.
N.We had a great day with the guys. They made the journey a fun and informative one.
M.So beautiful place I want to go there how can i apply for new zealand visa from india please give me answer
L.great trip.. highly recommend.. from Redznzjourney...
Ma te Wa..to the team
from Lynn aka Red
S.Awesome trip. Perfect trip with your friends and family. Thanks brendon
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