The best way to appreciate the Bay of Islands is to take a cruise out from Pahia. So we are boarding on a cruise to the 'hole in the Rock' with King's Tours and Cruises. http://www.kings-tours.co.nz

The Bay of Islands is one of NZ's top destination. There are a dozens of coves, many beaches and 150 islands.

The captain and me!

This is an islet visible from Pahia. According to the map, it's Taylor Island. On the right is Motuarahi Island.

We pass Roberton Island with its many small rocks between the 2 part of the island. In the sun, the scenary is beautiful!

On the right you can see the Deep Water Cove costal area just west of Urupukapuka Island.

At Deep Water Cove, we encoutered a group of bottlenose dolphins. At least 10 of them swam with the boat for hald an hour, riding the pressure wave of the vessel and jumping high in the sky in front of our marveled eyes!

Today, due to one of the female just having a new baby dolphin, we are not allowed to snorkel whith them.

Those Iridescent skies and those cliffs of Cap Brett are most inspiring.

This is the old lighthouse. According to our captain, the small house is the cheapest accomodation in New Zealand: only 12$/month! No running water or electricity thought ;-)

The 'Hole in the Rock' or Piercy Island is located a few hundred meters from Cape Brett. It's a naturally carved hole through which vessels like ours can pass straight through! That's the highlight of the trip.

Can you spot this small hole on the of the 'Hole in the Rock' island? Made by the wind for sure!

On the right: a gull is getting some reston the King's vessel.