About Fullers Bay of Islands
Fullers Bay of Islands has been the region's iconic cruise and tour operator since 1886, making it one of the longest-running tourism businesses in New Zealand. Operating from Paihia and Russell wharves, Fullers connects visitors to the 144 islands of the Bay of Islands through a fleet of purpose-built vessels designed for dolphin watching, island hopping, and scenic cruising.
Their flagship experience is the Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise, a four-and-a-half-hour journey to the dramatic Motukokako rock formation at Cape Brett, with a stopover at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island. As one of only two operators licensed by the Department of Conservation to interact with marine mammals, Fullers offers unrivalled dolphin and whale encounters. They also run the historic Cream Trip — a continuation of the original 1927 mail and supply run through remote bays — plus day tours to Cape Reinga via Ninety Mile Beach and regular ferry services to Russell.
What sets Fullers apart is their deep heritage and comprehensive coverage of the Bay of Islands experience. With over 135 years of local knowledge, their crew know exactly where to find dolphins, the best sheltered bays for swimming, and how to time a cruise through the Hole in the Rock with the tides. Their scale means multiple daily departures year-round, making them the most accessible gateway to exploring the bay.
