Looking for the best boat charters in Tauranga? Tauranga Harbour and the reefs and islands of the Bay of Plenty give charter skippers plenty to work with, from snapper and tarakihi reef trips and overnight hapuka runs to Mayor Island, through to dolphin and wildlife cruises and private harbour cruises for birthdays and work functions. Whether you want to fish or celebrate, a boat charter in Tauranga can be booked as a shared public trip or with the whole vessel to yourselves, and operators such as Tauranga Marine Charters and Bay Explorer cover both ends of the range.
1Tauranga Marine Charters
Tauranga Marine Charters runs fishing trips aboard the MV Manutere, a purpose-built charter fishing vessel with walk-around fishing space, berthed at Tauranga Bridge Marina on the Mount side of the harbour bridge. Owner and operator Brett Keller takes both public shared trips for individuals and families and private charters for work groups, clubs, stag and hens parties. It suits anyone who wants a dedicated fishing boat, from a single angler joining a day trip to a group booking a 24-hour run to Tuhua.
Services
- Public shared reef fishing day trips
- Private reef fishing charters, day and evening
- Hapuka and deep water fishing trips
- 24-hour private trips with overnight stay on board
- Rod, reel and bait hire
Highlights
- The Manutere has run fishing trips out of Tauranga for 40 years
- Sleeping accommodation below deck for up to 8, plus a private flush toilet
- Barbecue on board for private charters
- Free all-day parking at Tauranga Bridge Marina
Location & Contact
Name: Tauranga Marine Charters
Address: Pier D34, Tauranga Bridge Marina, 101 Te Awanui Drive, Tauranga 3116
Phone: 027 552 6283
Website: taurangamarinecharters.co.nz
2Deepstar Charters
Deepstar Charters operates the MV Deepstar, a fishing and diving charter boat built in Picton in 1979, with boarding at Fisherman’s Wharf in Tauranga and Salisbury Wharf in Mount Maunganui. The boat specialises in snapper, tarakihi and hapuka and fishes all year round. It suits individuals joining a public reef trip as well as private groups of up to 20 for day fishing or up to 10 for live-aboard trips.
Services
- Full-day and half-day public reef fishing trips
- Private reef fishing charters for up to 20 people
- Evening reef trips for private groups
- Private overnight hapuka trips to Mayor Island
Highlights
- Two boarding points: Tauranga and Mount Maunganui
- Full-size toilet and shower facilities on board
- Barbecue, oven and hobs available for private charters
- Rods and bait can be purchased or hired on the boat
- Cash and bank transfer only, no EFTPOS
Location & Contact
Name: Deepstar Charters
Address: Fisherman’s Wharf, Dive Crescent, Tauranga 3110
Phone: 07 575 8917
Website: deepstarcharterstauranga.co.nz
3Bay Explorer
Bay Explorer is a Kiwi owned boat tour operator departing from the Waterfront Jetty on Wharf Street in central Tauranga, offering private boat charters alongside its public dolphin and wildlife cruises. Its purpose-built vessel has spacious decks, indoor seating, a covered area and a fully licensed bar, with options for groups of more than 100 passengers. It suits birthdays, family celebrations, corporate events and Christmas functions, as well as groups wanting a full day of swimming, snorkelling and island stops.
Services
- Three-hour private harbour and sunset cruises
- Private and public dolphin and wildlife cruises
- Full-day private charters with island stopovers and BBQ
- Island transfers to Tuhua (Mayor Island) and Motiti Island
- Corporate event and Christmas party cruises
Highlights
- Qualmark accredited by Tourism New Zealand
- Endorsed by the Department of Conservation to interact with marine wildlife
- Wildlife cruises led by a team including qualified marine biologist Emily Dee
- Private charters from $50 per person, with a $1,500 minimum charge
Location & Contact
Name: Bay Explorer
Address: Waterfront Jetty, 4 Wharf Street, Tauranga 3110
Phone: 021 605 968
Website: bayexplorer.co.nz
4Kewpie Cruises
Kewpie Cruises runs scenic harbour cruises and private charters aboard the Kewpie, a 52-foot kauri vessel launched in 1953 and originally built for a coastal cream run. Private charters and the scheduled 90-minute scenic cruise leave from the Strand Jetty on the Tauranga waterfront, passing Mauao, Matakana Island and the port. It suits party groups, work functions, school trips and anyone after a relaxed cruise on the inner harbour rather than a fishing trip.
Services
- Private charter cruises for parties and celebrations
- Corporate and Christmas function cruises
- 90-minute scenic harbour cruise
- Educational school trips
- Catering and bar menu for charters
Highlights
- Built in 1953, a two-level kauri vessel with a fully licensed lounge bar
- Room for up to 75 passengers, with up to 65 on private charters
- Dance floor, surround sound and flat-screen TVs on board
- Well-behaved dogs welcome on board
Location & Contact
Name: Kewpie Cruises
Address: The Strand Jetty, 4 Wharf Street, Tauranga
Phone: 021 605 965
Website: kewpiecruises.co.nz
5Fat Boy Charters
Fat Boy Charters is a small private fishing charter run by owner and skipper Russ Hawkins aboard Fatboy, a 7.2 metre AMF heavy-duty alloy boat that cruises at around 20 knots. Trips meet at the Pilot Bay boat ramp at the base of Mauao in Mount Maunganui, and every charter is customised, from bottom fishing on the local reefs to deep sea fishing around the outlying islands. It suits small groups of up to five who want a private boat and a skipper with decades of local fishing and diving experience.
Services
- Full-day and half-day private fishing charters
- Deep water fishing for bass, hapuka, bluenose and kingfish
- Big game fishing
- Tauranga Harbour and island sightseeing cruises
Highlights
- Maximum of five guests per charter
- Catch filleted and packed free at the end of the day
- Simrad sonar and chart plotter on board
- Skipper is a qualified first aid provider with 50 years of local fishing knowledge
Location & Contact
Name: Fat Boy Charters
Address: 5 Claridge Place, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga
Phone: 07 575 5986
Website: fishingchartertauranga.co.nz
Boat Charters in Tauranga at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Tauranga Marine Charters | The Manutere has run fishing trips out of Tauranga for 40 years |
| Deepstar Charters | Two boarding points: Tauranga and Mount Maunganui |
| Bay Explorer | Qualmark accredited by Tourism New Zealand |
| Kewpie Cruises | Built in 1953, a two-level kauri vessel with a fully licensed lounge bar |
| Fat Boy Charters | Maximum of five guests per charter |
How to Choose the Right Boat Charter in Tauranga
- Fishing or cruising: fishing charters are set up with rod holders, bait and filleting, while cruise boats focus on bars, seating, music and viewing decks. Book the boat that matches the day you want.
- Shared or private: public trips sell by the seat and suit individuals and couples, while a private charter gives your group the whole vessel and more say over timing and destination.
- Group size: small fishing boats may take five, larger fishing vessels 15 to 20, and party cruise boats 60 or more. Check the maximum before you plan a function.
- Departure point: charters leave from Tauranga Bridge Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf, the Strand, Salisbury Wharf and Pilot Bay, so choose one that suits parking and your group’s travel.
- What is included: ask about rod and bait hire, catering, BYO rules, payment methods and the weather cancellation policy before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tauranga Boat Charters
How much does a boat charter in Tauranga cost?
Prices vary with the type of trip. Shared public reef fishing trips are usually priced per person, often with separate charges for rod hire and bait, while private fishing charters and party cruises are priced per boat or per head with a minimum charge. Longer trips such as overnight hapuka runs cost more because of the fuel and time involved. Ask for a written quote that lists everything included.
What fish can I catch on a Tauranga fishing charter?
Reef trips in the Bay of Plenty commonly target snapper and tarakihi, with trevally, John Dory and porae also caught. Deep water trips around Mayor Island and the offshore knolls target hapuka, bass and bluenose, and some skippers offer kingfish jigging. Recreational catch limits still apply on a charter, and you can check the current rules on the Ministry for Primary Industries recreational fishing pages.
Can I book a private boat charter in Tauranga for a party or work function?
Yes. Several Tauranga operators run private cruises for birthdays, hens and stag parties, Christmas functions and corporate events, with licensed bars, music and catering options. Book early for November and December, when Christmas function dates fill quickly.
Where do Tauranga boat charters depart from?
Departure points are spread across the harbour. Fishing boats leave from Tauranga Bridge Marina on the Mount side of the harbour bridge and from Fisherman’s Wharf on Dive Crescent, while cruise boats often use the Strand Jetty on the city waterfront. In Mount Maunganui, charters board at Salisbury Wharf and the Pilot Bay boat ramp. If you are staying at the Mount, a Mount Maunganui pick-up saves crossing the bridge.
How do I check a charter boat is operating safely?
Commercial passenger vessels in New Zealand operate under Maritime New Zealand’s maritime operator safety system, and operators must hold a Maritime Transport Operator Certificate. You can read about the requirements on the Maritime New Zealand website, and it is reasonable to ask a skipper about their certification and safety briefing before you book.
Will I see dolphins on a Tauranga boat charter?
Common dolphins are often seen in the Bay of Plenty, along with seasonal whales, seals, penguins and seabirds, but sightings are never guaranteed. Operators running dedicated wildlife cruises need a Department of Conservation permit to interact with marine mammals, and DOC sets the rules on how close boats may approach.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Skippers make the call on the day. Most charter operators postpone or refund when sea conditions are unsafe, but policies differ on deposits and rescheduling, so read the terms before paying.
What should I bring on a fishing charter?
Bring warm layers, a rain jacket, sunscreen, food, drinks, a chilly bin and ice for your catch. Check whether rods and bait are included or available to hire, and whether the boat takes EFTPOS, as some charter operators accept only cash or bank transfer.
How We Chose the Best Boat Charters in Tauranga
Every business in this guide was found by searching for boat charters in Tauranga, then checked against its own website. Names, addresses and phone numbers are taken from the business’s own site rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what they publish themselves. We also check that each one is actually based in or genuinely serving Tauranga, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business with no website of its own is not listed, because there is no primary source to verify it against.