15 Shore Excursions Tours in New Zealand Worth Booking

Tauranga Shore Excursion: Rotorua Highlights - Te Puke, Kiwifruit Country: A Quick Stop With Real Context

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

Full-day Rotorua highlights from Tauranga: redwoods, gardens, Māori welcome, Whakarewarewa geothermal village, Pohutu Geyser, and more.

“The guide was very informative and knowledgeable about the places he took us! He kept us entertained with his wit and expertise! The driver also added information as well and this gave us an extra insight into the areas that we visited! The Māori show was enjoyable and the guide was very passionate about his village and also very informative about their way of living! We also visited a kiwi fruit farm and the farmer informed us about the workings of his farm! We were even given a tasting of his fruit! Overall the day was great and we arrived back to the ship on time so no problem there!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Bay of Islands Tours, Glowworm Cave Tours, Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews, Tours

Bay of Islands Glow Worm Caves & Scenic Shore Excursion

2.Bay of Islands Glow Worm Caves & Scenic Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 317 reviews · from $139

Bay of Islands shore excursion with Haruru Falls views, Makana chocolate tasting, Kawiti glow worm caves, and a kauri walk from Waitangi Wharf.

“Even though it rained all day we still had a great time and excellent driver. Dyson was patient, educational and helpful.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions in Tauranga, Tauranga Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

6.5 hour Small-Group Rotorua Naturally Shore Excursion – Tauranga

3.6.5 hour Small-Group Rotorua Naturally Shore Excursion – Tauranga

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

See Rotorua’s geothermal sights, soak in Kuirau Park, then walk Redwoods treetops and visit a Glow Worm Cave, with cruise-friendly timing.

“This was a very well organized and enjoyable excursion. The excursion started on time and followed the itinerary. The lunch was quick and tasty. Lunch did not take desirable time away from the activities.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Dunedin & Otago Tours, Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions in Dunedin & Otago, Tour Reviews, Tours

Dunedin Shore Excursion: Small-Group Tour of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula

4.Dunedin Shore Excursion: Small-Group Tour of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 270 reviews · from $86

Small-group Dunedin and Otago Peninsula shore tour with skyline views, steep street photos, and a beach walk for sea lions.

“Nice way to learn about Dunnedin and the trip to the Otago Bay was agood way to wrap up the tour. Got to see some Sea Lions.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Hobbiton Movie Set Tours, Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions in Tauranga, Tauranga Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Hobbiton Movie Set Shore Excursion from Tauranga (6 Hours)

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

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

Hobbiton shore excursion from Tauranga: guided movie-set tour, farm-country drive, and a free Green Dragon ale. Value for cruise days.

“Very cool and very well organized. Any LOTR fan who skips this is a fool. Tour guide was excellent. !”

Check availability →Read our full review

Akaroa Tours, City Tours, Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions in Akaroa, Tour Reviews, Tours

Akaroa Shore Excursion: Banks Peninsula and Christchurch City Sights Tour

6.Akaroa Shore Excursion: Banks Peninsula and Christchurch City Sights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 228 reviews · from $89

Akaroa to Christchurch in 6 hours for Banks Peninsula views, Botanic Gardens, 2011 earthquake sights, and coastal towns Sumner and Lyttelton.

“We were on a 50 passenger bus, so that eliminates the opportunity to ask questions. it was a long day of driving to see Christchurch, but I wanted to go there, so I don't know how it could have been otherwise - except others on our ship saw Christchurch AND stopped to see a sheep shearing and dogs working sheep. I was envious of them. We saw all that was advertised in the tour and it was very good.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Christchurch Tours, City Tours, City Tours in Christchurch, Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions in Christchurch, Tour Reviews, Tours

Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch City Sights

7.Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch City Sights

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 209 reviews · from $62

Christchurch shore excursion from Lyttelton: Monavale Gardens, Cathedral Square, Summit Road views, and earthquake rebuild context in 3.5 hours.

“I signed up for a 3 hour tour to see Christchurch. I got that, but was also left in Christchurch for 3 hours additionally on my own. Fortunately the weather was nice and I had no other plans. But this makes me worry about other viator tours I have scheduled. Can I believe what I signed up for, or will I get stranded on my own again.”

Check availability →Read our full review

City Tours, City Tours in Dunedin & Otago, Dunedin & Otago Tours, Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions in Dunedin & Otago, Tour Reviews, Tours

Shore Excursion: V8 Trike, Peninsula and City Tour

8.Shore Excursion: V8 Trike, Peninsula and City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 207 reviews · from $86

A one-hour V8 trike ride through Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula with photo stops, warm gear, and wind-in-your-hair views for $86.

“An amazing way to see Dunedins beautiful spots, beaches, country side and things you would never get to see on a normal sightseeing tour…all at an adrenaline pace, wind in your hair experience. Myself, my wife and my 2 teenage kids loved this experience!!! Definitely recommend!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Christchurch Tours, Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions in Christchurch, Tour Reviews, Tours

Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch Sightseeing with Antarctic Center

9.Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch Sightseeing with Antarctic Center

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 194 reviews · from $114

A cruise-friendly Christchurch shore day from Lyttelton, mixing earthquake lessons, gardens and markets, and real Antarctic fun at the Antarctic Centre.

“The tour started 1 hour late so we had to skip the first part. When we arrived at the Anarctic Center, there was a power outage so we could not go in. Scotty our tour operator assured us that the cost for the Antarctic Center would be returned to our Visa by the time the cruise was finished on March 13th. Today is the 29th and so far, no refund. The city visit on the tour was great and we were disappointed that we couldn't see the Antarctic Center, but understood it was not Viator's fault. But we don't understand why they haven't refunded the cost of the Center??”

Check availability →Read our full review

Napier & Hawkes Bay Tours, Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions in Napier & Hawkes Bay, Tour Reviews, Tours, Whitewater Rafting

Shore Excursion: Scenic Rafting from Napier

10.Shore Excursion: Scenic Rafting from Napier

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 179 reviews · from $139

Scenic rafting from Napier on easy Grade II rapids with a guide-led history talk, optional swims, pickup, and a homemade lunch.

“Rafting was very fun. The guide, Deon, was very entertaining. We floated for 2 hours and were treated to a lovely lunch at his home by his wife. I especially liked they provided us with all the equipment we needed.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Boat Tours in Picton & Marlborough, Cruises & Boat Tours, Picton & Marlborough Tours, Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wine Tours, Wine Tours in Picton & Marlborough

Picton Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Marlborough Wine Tour

11.Picton Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Marlborough Wine Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 165 reviews · from $155

Small-group Marlborough wine tour from Picton port with pickup, up to 5 tastings, vineyard walk, and chocolate stop.

“Great choice of wineries were visited and our guide/driver Lucinda was very knowledgeable of the grapes and vineyards since she owns a winery in the area.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Akaroa Tours, Canoes & Kayaks, Guided, Kayak Tours in Akaroa, Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions in Akaroa, Tour Reviews, Tours

Shore Excursion Guided Sea Kayaking through Akaroa Marine Reserve

12.Shore Excursion Guided Sea Kayaking through Akaroa Marine Reserve

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 160 reviews · from $83

Guided sea kayaking in Akaroa Marine Reserve, paddle a volcanic lagoon by the harbor with all gear and possible wildlife sightings.

“Our guide was very knowledgeable and very adept at kayaking. He did a very good job of pointing out anything he spotted along the way. Was a little disappointed that the only thing we saw were a few different types of birds. It probably had to do with the time of year we were there. The kayaking was enjoyable and the view were good.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Food & Drink, Historical Tours, History Tours in Tauranga, Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions in Tauranga, Tauranga Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Tauranga Shore Excursion: History & Kiwifruit Tasting – 4 Hours

13.Tauranga Shore Excursion: History & Kiwifruit Tasting – 4 Hours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 146 reviews · from $65

Half-day Tauranga tour with Mt Maunganui views, port history, and a kiwi orchard tasting plus manuka honey, avocado, and tea.

“Tauranga is very nice. However, the tour spent too long driving out of the harbor, going to a park, driving by parked containers from ships. The stop at a beach was nice, but really short. It was a nice sunny breezy. There was another stop at a park that overlooked the harbor. The most interesting stop was at the Kiwi farm.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Akaroa Tours, City Tours, Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions in Akaroa, Tour Reviews, Tours

Akaroa Shore Excursion: Banks Peninsula, Christchurch City Tour and the International Antarctic Centre

14.Akaroa Shore Excursion: Banks Peninsula, Christchurch City Tour and the International Antarctic Centre

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 135 reviews · from $124

Akaroa to Christchurch via Banks Peninsula, then the International Antarctic Centre with penguins and a Hagglund ride.

“This was an excellent tour of the area between Akaroa and Christ Church as well as the city. Our guide was a wealth of knowledge about the area, including the history. The International Antarctic Centre was a highlight.”

Check availability →Read our full review

City Tours, City Tours in Dunedin & Otago, Dunedin & Otago Tours, Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions in Dunedin & Otago, Tour Reviews, Tours

Iconic Shore Excursion: Dunedin City Highlights Tour

15.Iconic Shore Excursion: Dunedin City Highlights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 131 reviews · from $61Best value

Half-day Dunedin highlights from Port Chalmers: Signal Hill views, Baldwin Street, Otago campus, museums, and a free hour in the Octagon.

“We were told by the driver that the Viator information was not what was offered by Iconic. We were rushed at times with the timing differences. Also the bus driver would not organise a bathroom stop until several guests explained the need. TRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review