Combos

Combo: Auckland Explorer Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour + Whale & Dolphin Safari Cruise

Enjoy a cost-effective combo that includes a hop-on hop-off bus tour of Auckland as well as a whale and dolphin safari cruise!

4.3/5(319)

Vivienne I

Group

Verified booking

Jun 2026

Fantastic commentary, easy to find and wonderful, helpful people. Most impressive! The seats were comfortable and the whole ride was great. Highly recommend!

Hilda K

Couple

Verified booking

Mar 2026

Loved it. Easy to book and pay last minute online, we were picked up from Skytower Auckland punctually, and the 2 attendants were so helpful with all enquiries. Pleasant double decker open buses, we experienced 3 helpful and polite drivers each time we hopped on/ off. It covered many Auckland landmarks, we chose only 2 however we could have done at least 2 more. This beats a chartered tour bus as you decide how long you spend at a site and then wait for the bus which comes around every 30 min. We had our own time to visit Mt Edna, then Auckland Zoo for as long as we liked instead of being given a time limit. Just be tolerant that sometimes you have to wait longer than 30 min for your connection as buses are caught in peak hour jams. The on board commentary was loud, clear and well synchronised. After we terminated at Skytower, we could have gone on one last round loop tour without getting off if we wanted. We liked this better because we got to choose where to explore unlike a structured sightseeing tour that covers places you are not interested in. Overall a happy experience which has made us want to do more Hoho bus tours in future.

Darcy J

Couple

Verified booking

Mar 2026

Great time, informative, open air on the back of the top of the bus. Easy locations to. Get on and off, well marked! Wonderful commentary, nice driver.

Travel across 9 stops on the yellow double-decker Auckland Explorer Bus or red open-deck Soaring Kiwi bus (route map here).

Choose from the 1-day or 2-day option to have complete control over your itinerary and learn about the city's history from the onboard English commentary.

View Auckland's largest cathedral, the Holy Trinity Cathedral, and stroll through Parnell Village to shop at the charming boutiques, and more.

Hop on board the ‘Dolphin Explorer’ for a 4.5-hour luxury cruise on the waters of Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, sailing past Harbour Bridge and Devonport.

Witness marine life such as dolphins, orcas, and whales, and learn about them from a marine science expert.

Auckland Explorer Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour

1-day/2-day hop-on hop-off pass

Onboard English commentary

Whale and Dolphin Safari Cruise

4.5-hr eco-cruise with dolphin and whale watching

Expert and informative commentary

Interaction with marine research scientists

Auckland Explorer Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour

Entry fee to Sky Tower, Auckland War Memorial Museum, SEALIFE Kelly Tarltons, All Black Experience, and Weta Workshop Unleashed

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

319 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from Australia, United States, Canada and over 15 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Louisa C
Solo
Verified booking
Jul 2026
Great commentary and wonderful and gelpful guides and drivers, highly recommend
Vivienne I
Group
Verified booking
Jun 2026
Fantastic commentary, easy to find and wonderful, helpful people. Most impressive! The seats were comfortable and the whole ride was great. Highly recommend!
Cassia S
Couple
Verified booking
May 2026
Having the audio guide only in English is not good enough. There should be more languages available with ear phones available. I also suggest an app to track the bus times or a website with information to better plan the drops on and off.
Grant C
Couple
Verified booking
May 2026
Lovely day, great crew - very passionate about the dolphins and whales, and some surprising scientific insights. Wonderful day out
John M
Solo
Verified booking
Apr 2026
Easy and enjoyable. Totally worth it.

Choose this discounted combo and enjoy a hop-on hop-off tour as well as a marine cruise with one ticket.

Whale and Dolphin Safari Cruise

Get on board a 65-foot luxury catamaran to explore the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, one of the most prolific and diverse marine parks in the world. See stunning views of Auckland landmarks like the Harbour Bridge, North Head, and Rangitoto Island – home to the youngest volcano in New Zealand. Learn facts about the marine wildlife in the gulf. Witness pods of dolphins leap into the air, putting on a splendid show, and hopefully, you'll see marine creatures including orcas, whales, fur seals, sharks, manta rays, turtles, and rare species of seabirds like the little blue penguin. Interact with the marine science experts on board to know more about marine wildlife preservation projects and more.

Auckland Explorer Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour

Start your trip by boarding the yellow double-decker Auckland Explorer or red open-deck Soaring Kiwi bus and enjoy an onboard audio guide. Cross the Sky Tower – Auckland's tallest skyscraper, and get to know about the All Black Experience, based on New Zealand's rugby history and Weta Workshop Unleashed, which shows how special effects are created.

Relax at Albert Park and shop at the boutiques and cafes of Newmarket. The Auckland War Memorial Museum sheds light on the nation's history of wars. Make your way to Bastion Point which offers breathtaking views of the cityscape. Finish your tour at SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium. Witness different types of marine life such as sharks, stingrays, and seahorses, and even get up and personal with penguins.

Route

Please click here for the detailed route map and boarding points.

Important Information

Auckland Explorer Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour

Facilities: Wheelchair Accessibility, Pram/Stroller Accessibility.

Note that the following is not allowed on this tour: large bags.

The tour circuit takes about 60 minutes to complete a full, non-stop loop.

Click here for the route map.

Whale and Dolphin Safari Cruise

Please note that your allocated seats may be released to standby passengers if you do not check in at least 15 minutes before departure.

It is recommended you wear a few layers of clothes, bring along something warm and wind/shower-proof, a sun hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

Please wear flat-soled shoes.

Please carry your personal medication, including seasickness medication as these are not available on board.

You may carry your own food and non-alcoholic drinks on board.

Timings

Auckland Explorer Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour

Daily: 9am to 5pm

Whale and Dolphin Safari Cruise

Daily: 10:15am onwards

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Please display your mobile voucher along with a valid photo ID at the museum.

Ticket Redemption Points

Explorer Bus Pass

The temporary stop 1 is located at Downtown Auckland Stop.

Address: 23 Customs Street East, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

Landmark: Commerce Street, near the intersection with Customs Street East.

Get Directions to the Ticket Redemption Point

Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari

Board your cruise at Viaduct Harbour.

Address: Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari,175 Quay Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.

Landmark: Opposite the New Zealand Maritime Museum.

Get Directions to the Ticket Redemption Point