Top 14 Tours in Tauranga

1.White Water Rafting – Kaituna Cascades, The Originals

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,274 reviews · from $83Our pick

Raft the Kaituna River near Rotorua with a professional guide, tackling 11 rapids and three waterfalls, including the 7-meter Tutea Falls. The roughly 50-minute river run takes place in a jungle canyon and needs no previous rafting experience, but you must be 13 to 65 years old, under 120 kilograms, and comfortable in the water.

“Wonderful and fun experience! We had a great time and would recommend this rafting experience to everyone who likes big rapids. The crew were knowledgeable and kind.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Tauranga Shore Excursion: Rotorua Highlights

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 427 reviews · from $152

Travel from Tauranga to Rotorua for a full day of geysers, bubbling mud, redwoods, Government Gardens, and Māori culture. You will visit Whakarewarewa Living Māori Village, watch the Pohutu Geyser, taste local kiwifruit, and stop at Kaituna Falls. Guides such as Stephen and Rolf provide commentary, while lunch is purchased separately.

“A wonderful excursion. Loved the living village and our tour guide Jessie who was very knowledgeable. The kiwi farm was very interesting and the fruit we sampled delicious. Thanks to all.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 311 reviews

Join Waimarino Kayak Tours for a 3-hour-15-minute evening paddle on Lake McLaren. Guides such as Ellie, Lucy, Darragh, Frosty, and Leo lead you from sunset into a narrow glow-worm canyon, with equipment, refreshments, and local stories included. Hotel transport from Tauranga or Mount Maunganui may be arranged for an extra fee.

“Great kayaking on the river to the canyon by the hydro power plant see the fairytale twinkling glowworms and witness the stars in the Southern Hemisphere sky.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.6.5 hour Small-Group Rotorua Naturally Shore Excursion – Tauranga

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 283 reviews · from $135

Travel from Tauranga to Rotorua in a small group of up to 20. With guides such as Simon, Richie, and Alistair, you’ll see bubbling mud, steaming lakes, Government Gardens, Māori culture, kiwi orchards, and the Redwoods Treewalk, plus a guided glow worm cave and warm foot bath.

“It was excellent and a very enjoyable day out. Felt very looked after. Gluten free lunch was amazing”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Hobbiton Movie Set Shore Excursion from Tauranga (6 Hours)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 267 reviews · from $198

Travel from Tauranga port through Mount Maunganui, the Kaimai hills, and Waikato farmland to Hobbiton. Expect air-conditioned transport, commentary from your local driver, a guided 2.5-hour movie-set visit, access to a furnished Hobbit home, and a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Pub. Guide names vary by departure.

“Tour guide was knowledgeable in the area and gave an informative commentary on the way out of the city. It was a 6hr tour in total and Hobbiton is just over an hour's drive from Tauranga. There is a fair bit of walking involved around the fillm Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Hobbiton Transport & Tauranga Highlights Excursion from Tauranga

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 219 reviews · from $86

Travel from Tauranga to Hobbiton in a small air-conditioned vehicle with port or hotel pickup, snacks, water, WiFi, and local commentary from guides such as Alan and Hope. Spend about three hours at the film set, including the guided Shire walk and Green Dragon Inn, then stop at McLaren Falls before returning to Tauranga.

“Hobbiton! What a great day. Had the best day with Steve and Dave who took us to a lovely waterfall and park before we made our journey over to Hobbiton Movie Set. They were entertaining and informative for The whole journey and we had Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 206 reviews · 3 hours · from $134

Meet at 36 Taniwha Place in Tauranga for a three-hour evening trip to Lake McLaren. After local cheese, honey, and kombucha, you will kayak into Mangapapa Canyon with an English-speaking guide, glowworms overhead, Māori stories, and warm gear provided.

“Our guide, George, was the consummate professional. He made our trip exceptional and ensured we were taken care of at all times. I would highly recommend him, and the evening kayak trip made for a special night out.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Swim With Wild Dolphins in Tauranga

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 189 reviews · from $102

Set out from Tauranga Bridge Marina for a six-hour search for common dolphins and other marine life in the Bay of Plenty. Your crew chooses the route according to wind, weather, and dolphin movements. You can watch from the boat or swim with a pod when conditions and animal behavior allow. Wetsuits, snorkel gear, commentary, tea, and coffee are included.

“It was purely amazing We had an amazing pod. The crew was kind, helpful, professional and we learned a lot thanks to their passion. Thank you”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Tauranga Shore Excursion: Top Half Day Curated Highlights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 152 reviews · from $69

This 4.5-hour small-group shore trip links Mount Maunganui, Gate Pa, Te Puna, Minden Lookout, and McLaren Falls Park. Your guide drives from Tauranga’s cruise port, explains local Māori and farming history, serves kiwifruit, manuka honey, coffee, a large muffin, and hokey pokey ice cream. Walking at the falls is optional.

“Jan was a very informative tour guide who kept us entertained for the duration of the tour. We saw a beautiful waterfall, a great view of the city from the highest point on the island, had a great muffin with coffee and more.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.TAURANGA City & Scenic Sightseeing 2-hour Local Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 124 reviews · from $49Best value

This two-hour Tauranga and Mount Maunganui bus tour combines city sights, harbour views, beaches, kiwi and avocado orchards, and a photo stop at Minden Lookout. Drivers such as Norm, Jude, Gary, and Alan provide local stories from an air-conditioned vehicle with Wi-Fi. It is built for cruise passengers who want a broad view without using the whole day.

“Friendly and knowledgeable driver/guide. Exceptionally spacious and comfortable mini bus transport with easy access for those with minor mobility issues”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Tauranga Private Excursion: Rotorua -Te Puia-Geysers & Kiwi’s

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 115 reviews

Travel privately from Tauranga to Rotorua with a driver-guide such as Jan, Josh, Steve, or Marina. Visit Te Puia’s geysers, Māori arts center, cultural performance, and kiwi house, then see Kuirau Park, Government Gardens, Okere Falls, and a kiwifruit stop. Admission to Te Puia costs extra.

“Though I was nervous about finding the bus, it was handle very well. They made it very easy. The tour was wonderful.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Half Day Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise – Tauranga

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 103 reviews · from $108

Join Bay Explorer at 9am for a five-hour wildlife cruise from Tauranga. The 18-metre boat carries up to 50 people, with enclosed seating, an open sun deck, a licensed bar, and commentary from the crew. Expect coastal views, Mount Maunganui, Moturiki Island, and a chance to see wild dolphins, penguins, seals, seabirds, sharks, whales, orca, and turtles.

“Very exciting and fun, great crew who spotted the best areas to see lots of dolphins and it was hard deciding where to take pictures or the angle to capture as many a ti iTunes that dolphins provided for our pleasure”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Dolphin and Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 96 reviews · 5 hours · from $104

Join Bay Explorer at Tauranga’s Strand Wharf for a 4 to 5-hour wildlife cruise through the Bay of Plenty. Captain Jamie and crew members such as Taylor and Emily Dee provide live commentary while you search for dolphins, penguins, whales, seals, sharks, orca, seabirds, and other marine life. The spacious boat has 360-degree views, bathrooms, and a bar.

“Awesome!! Took two young grandsons and they thoroughly enjoyed the whole day! We saw dolphins (2 different pods), penguins and the absolute icing on the cake was a pod of orcas who even went under our boat!”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Rotorua via Kiwi/lakes country & a visit to iconic Whakarewarewa

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 66 reviews · from $182

Travel from Tauranga to Rotorua with guides such as Toby, Steve, Terry, or Kerry. Visit Whakarewarewa, watch a Māori cultural performance, see the Pohutu Geyser and hot pools, sample kiwi fruit, and stop at lakes, forests, Government Gardens, Mt. Tarawera, and Okere Falls. Lunch costs extra.

“What a great personal excursion! Our guide was so nice and knowledgeable about the area. The hot pools and geyers are a must see.”

Check availability →Read our full review