Gisborne Cruises: Your Guide to the Top Sailing Tours

Gisborne, which is just a radiant spot on New Zealand’s East Coast, is super well-known as the first city in the world to see the sunrise. So it’s not only steeped in Māori history, but also loaded with lovely vineyards and stunning coastline. Getting out on the water is very likely the best way to really get to the core of this place. We’ve scouted around and compiled, in a way, a guide to what could be the finest Gisborne cruises and sailing tours, just for you.

1. Explore Poverty Bay with Sunrise Cruising

Imagine beginning your day, you know, just being out on the water as the sun breaks over the horizon. Sunrise Cruising offers a Poverty Bay tour that will very likely knock your socks off. Picture this: You’re gliding across the bay, watching Gisborne wake up. That light! Very Instagrammable. This isn’t simply sightseeing, it’s almost soaking in the start of a brand new day in one of the most eastern places on Earth.

This particular cruise might be great if you’re someone that’s quite into photography, a couple looking for a remarkable dawn experience, or that, really, anyone wanting to start the day with something special. And don’t stress if you aren’t a morning person; the beauty will be worth setting that alarm, actually. It’s more or less a spectacle. One former customer had this to share, “The most gorgeous sunrise! And Poverty Bay has sights I’d never imagined. Well worth the early wake-up call!”

Read our full review: Poverty Bay Sunrise Cruise Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Sunrise Cruise Booking)

2. Relax on a Tamarau Fishing Charter

Fancy doing something hands-on, actually? Check out the Tamarau Fishing Charter, then. You will be taken out to the hot fishing spots around Gisborne by skilled local fishers, almost. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or somebody just trying out fishing for the first time, there’s something for you, alright. And it’s so much more than just throwing a line into the water. So you get to learn about local marine life, try different fishing techniques, and also, experience the joy of potentially landing a big one.

This trip’s actually suited for families, groups of friends, and individuals, really anyone wanting a bit of excitement along with gorgeous sea air. The crew provides all the gear, plus helpful guidance, to ensure your safety and up the fun, it’s almost like being handed the keys to a super fun time. As someone said after their trip, “Best day fishing I’ve had in ages! The guys running it were top-notch, knew exactly where to go, and shared all the best tips.”

Read our full review: Tamarau Fishing Charter Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Fishing Charter Booking)

3. Set Sail with the Uawa (Tolaga Bay) Wharf Scenic Tours

You know, a little north of Gisborne sits Tolaga Bay, boasting a seriously awesome historic wharf. The Uawa (Tolaga Bay) Wharf Scenic Tours offer a ride that’s super packed with stories, really, combined with panoramic sights. This tour does more than just show you the sights, it actually unfolds the history of the place, along with, stories of the coastal communities, and some maritime adventures.

This one tends to be awesome for anyone intrigued by history, or that really, coastal charm, and scenic beauty all in one package. You could learn lots about the area’s past. This trip, in some respects, gets many recommendations; loads of tourists who enjoyed this shared, “So delightful! To discover so much about the Bay’s past and see the famed wharf, well it’s almost breathtaking.”

Read our full review: Tolaga Bay Wharf Scenic Tour Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Tolaga Bay Wharf Booking)

4. Private Charters: Your Personalized Voyage

If standard tours seem somewhat restrictive, have a look at arranging a private charter, alright. Lots of companies around Gisborne provide custom cruises where you choose the schedule, the route, even all the activities. It’s actually an ideal approach if you have particular sights you’re super keen on viewing or you need something a bit that caters to a certain event like, let’s say, a family gathering or a romantic trip.

Private charters can typically suit quite a wide audience—everybody from family groups, and also, to couples who fancy a day alone, and even corporate retreats. It does involve a greater expense but is somewhat unparalleled when it comes to making truly unique memories, that is that. The experiences are yours, it seems! Here’s someone that really understood the attraction: “Going private gave our family the liberty to see exactly what we intended, right on our timeline. It was truly worth it!”

Read our full review: Gisborne Private Charter Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Private Charter Booking)

5. Dive into Adventure with Dive Tatapouri Reef Ecology Tour

Right at the top of Tatapouri Bay is, so to speak, a one-off ecology tour operated by Dive Tatapouri. Instead of viewing it from a distance, so, get very intimate with the underwater world by connecting with marine creatures like stingrays, crayfish, and also octopuses in their natural habitats. It is a sensational and enlightening journey designed not only to amuse but to make you value marine conservation even.

This tour does tend to be brilliant for folk keen on conservation, families seeking fun, learning opportunities for kids and of course everyone thrilled to do a little snorkeling amongst truly remarkable ocean creatures. Many tourists expressed just how exceptional the encounter seemed: “Without doubt! The interaction with stingrays had an enormous effect, also learning a great deal more from guides that very day elevated it.”

Read our full review: Dive Tatapouri Reef Ecology Tour Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Dive Tatapouri Booking)