Take a look at a map of New Zealand and you’ll notice right away that it’s surrounded by blue - we’re an island nation and all our ancestors travelled here by boat (outrigger canoe for the Maori, sailing ships for the Europeans), so we’ve got the ocean in our blood. As well as the sea, we’ve got glaciers and volcanoes doing their thing, carving out lakes both big and small from the landscape, with rivers long and short flowing just about everywhere you look too. So if you want day cruises and boat trips to be a part of your New Zealand ’Trip of a Lifetime', then you are in the right place matey!
From the open seas of Cook Strait, a day cruise in the Bay of Islands, cruising the fiords of the deep south, exploring alpine valleys by jet boat to sailing on extinct volcanic lakes, in every corner of the country there’s a Kiwi with a boat waiting for you to show up and jump onboard! We’ve all got a real affinity with the water, ask any Kiwi about their favourite holiday memories and everyone will tell you about holidays at the beach, lake or discovering rivers with their family! Kiwis love nothing more than sharing their favourite stretch of water with you when you’re visiting, just don’t ask us about the 2013 Americas Cup, that one still hurts!
So if you’re coming out to visit us here in New Zealand and want to jump on a few boats in different spots on your way round, here’s our guide to the best day cruises and boat trips to fit into your New Zealand ‘Trip of a Lifetime’.