Bay Of Islands Snorkelling Ltd — Attraction in Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community

Brilliant snorkelling trip on 2nd March 2023. Couples from NZ, Canada, Germany, Netherlands and myself from Shetland Islands, Scotland, 9 of us in all. Fully kitted out (choice of full wetsuit or shortie), our first dip was at Deep Water Cove. A well designed and engineered fold-down step platform made it very easy to get in and out of the boat, and Scott accompanied us in the sea while Tammy remained on board. Sea was very clear, lots of different fish, and they clustered around Scott jostling for a bit of the black sea urchin he held. Snorkelling along the surface, above an outcrop of rock with crevasses and drop off at the edge, I could see a lot and was fascinated by the variety of fish ...I didn't dive down as suspected I'd get a snorkel full of water not having snorkelled for about 40 years! Felt relaxed and enjoyed the 20 degree Celsius water - wetsuits meant we could stay in longer. 2nd site there was a rock arch which we snorkelled through, quite narrow in places and darker in the middle, with rythmic Pacific swell - slow and steady, then surges. My favourite part was the swim back, with sun glinting through the water, highlighting the fish and seaweed; colourful, like a garden, just as Tammy described it. Scott gave me a torch, and led us into a sea cave. It was narrow and very dark in the middle , then opened up but the tide was too low to go further. The swell surged. Quite exciting! We offered sea urchin snacks to the fish, clutching it in a gloved hand to cushion any nibbling of our fingers. Back on board, a welcome washdown with warm water, soup, then stopped at Otehei Bay. Scott and Tammy's attention to detail, experience, relaxed and friendly attitude, their pride and pleasure in running this business for small groups, help make this snorkelling outing truly memorable and suitable for wide range of age and capabilities. Local information and history along the way was interesting. I'd urge anyone considering this trip not to hesitate and...

I was in Paihia while visiting the Bay of Islands from Australia, and I had an absolutely incredible experience with Bay of Islands Snorkelling! From start to finish, the experience was flawless. Tammy and Scott were so easy to reach, answered all my questions promptly, and ensured the entire experience ran smoothly. They provided all the essential information ahead of time, so we all arrived well-prepared. Tammy and Scott are incredibly knowledgeable about the surrounding areas and shared insight into the local history of the area as well as the marine life. We had a range of snorkelling experience on our trip, from seasoned snorkelers to those who had never snorkelled before. It was fantastic to see how seamlessly Tammy and Scott catered to everyone, no matter their skill level, ensuring the trip was accessible and enjoyable for all. Nothing was too difficult for them to accommodate! I personally really appreciated the smaller group size, which made a huge difference. It allowed for more personalised attention, ensuring everyone had what they needed. With fewer participants in the water, there was more space to enjoy the surroundings without feeling crowded, which made for a much more relaxed and enjoyable snorkelling experience. This is something that i haven’t experienced on other snorkelling tours, which often have much larger group sizes. The whole experience felt intimate and relaxed yet was extremely well-organised and professional. I can’t recommend Bay of Islands Snorkelling with Tammy and Scott enough—it was an unforgettable experience, and I would highly encourage anyone to give it a go if you’re ever...

After living in the Bay of Islands for 20 years, being on the water a lot, sailing and diving, and snorkeling - this tour was outstanding. Tammy and Scott showed us the most spectacular sea life, we dropped anchor on the reef, the fishlife, enjoying the interaction with the staff and us whilst in the water, so we had an amazing interactive experience with them. The boat itself is awesome - very comfortable, with all the amenities you need, it is set up perfectly for its use - easy access into the water and from the water back onto the boat, no clambering needed with the submersible swim platform easy to use. The equipment is in great condition - wetsuits and snorkel, mask, and fins, Scott and Tammy were amazing professional hosts, sharing information and personal titbits, drawing on their many years working in the tourism industry on the water in the Bay of Islands! It really was a great touch to have the hot shower after our snorkelling tour and hot soup is just perfect! The boat and all the equipment is in pristine condition! I highly recommend this tour and will be going again and will take friends and family with me! Thanks, Tammy and Scott you really have a fabulous product - I rate it...