The Rock Overnight Cruise

The Rock is New Zealand’s biggest house boat, she is purpose built and offers a warm, homely, stable environment for cruising the Bay of Islands. With a capacity of 36, the Rock is suitable for travellers of all ages who enjoy great company, new experiences, and who don’t mind getting their feet wet. Our overnight cruise allows guests to encounter everything the Bay has to offer and reflects the adventurous Kiwi spirit.

The Rock Overnight Cruise is a unique way to experience the stunning Bay of Islands in New Zealand. Ten years ago in a burst of “Kiwi ingenuity” a 1969 car ferry was given a complete
facelift into a stable and purpose built overnight cruise vessel. The Rock features a spacious and open downstairs living area that includes a bar, dining area, lounge, pool table, piano and open fire.

The exterior open deck is the ideal platform for fishing, target shooting, swimming, kayaking and snorkelling. Upstairs all cabins have sea views and doors that open onto observation decks perfect for viewing the scenery or wildlife.

Every cruise is small and personal with a maximum of 36 guests. Our crew have all fallen in love with the region: they enjoy introducing our guests to the area and the many new
experiences available onboard. The overnight timeframe allows us more time to take in the region and all that it has to offer.

Dinner and breakfast are both relaxed affairs and a great time to swap stories with other guests. The activities are guided and equipment is provided. With stable kayaks, fishing gear, masks, snorkels and fins for every guest as well as a small dinghy and 18 person tender the Rock has everything required to “Do it All” in the Bay of Islands. There is also time to explore on your own during the island visit.

There is an action-packed itinerary and guests are welcome to take part in every activity or just enjoy the experience of being on the water in our unique vessel. Whether travelling in a group, as part of a tour, or on your own you will feel at home
from the moment you step aboard.

Accommodation Information

The Rock Overnight Cruise has three six bed dorm rooms available that sleep a total of 18 guests.

The private rooms available are double and family cabins. Our double room consists of one double bed ( Sorry twin configuration not available). The family cabin sleeps up to four people in one double bed and two single bunk beds.

Bed sheets and linen are provided with all rooms. Towels are available for hire for a small cleaning charge.

All cabins have seaviews and have large picture windows with access to an outside balcony. All bathrooms are shared.

Location Information

The Rock Overnight Cruise
Departing from the Paihia Wharf Building
Marsden Rd
Paihia 0247

144 Subtropical Islands only a few hours drive from Auckland
Our Bay of Islands Overnight Cruise onboard The Rock departs from Paihia, nestled in the Bay of Islands. Located 60 km north-west of Whangarei and about three and a half hours drive from Auckland. The Bay of Islands are one of the most popular fishing, sailing and tourist destinations in the country, and has been renowned internationally for its big-game fishing since American author Zane Grey wrote about the region in the 1930’s.

As we depart Paihia and head out round Tapeka Point into the Islands we will pass Russell, the first permanent European settlement in New Zealand, formerly known as Kororareka. The first island we catch sight of is Robertson Island. One of the sheltered bays on this island is called Cook’s Cove after Captain James Cook. Cook was the first European to visit the area, he named the region in 1769. Cook’s Cove is reputably where Cook came into the sheltered waters of the Bay of Islands to repair his ship after hitting a rock off the coast.

Throughout our cruise we see many of the Bay’s 144 stunning islands. Sandy beaches and rocky outcrops are surrounded by clear seas and make great backdrops to our New Zealand adventure. The Bay of Islands and the Far North of New Zealand is a region not to be missed, nor to be rushed.