Park & nature
Motutapu Island (Bay of Islands)
Some booking links are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We never let this influence which places we recommend.
Motutapu Island is one of the many gems of the Bay of Islands, offering a quiet retreat for boaters and anglers. Its rocky shores and sheltered coves provide excellent fishing spots, especially for snapper and kingfish. The island is uninhabited and largely undeveloped, with native bush covering its slopes. Visitors typically arrive by private boat or charter, anchoring in the clear waters to swim, snorkel, or explore the shoreline. It's a place to experience the raw beauty of the bay away from crowds.
Don't miss
- Fish for snapper and kingfish in the waters around the island.
- Anchor in a sheltered cove for swimming and snorkeling in clear water.
- Explore the rocky shoreline and native bush on foot.
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Motutapu Island (Bay of Islands)
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inFerry Transfer between Papeete, Tahiti and Moorea4.1★ · 56 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$18 per personSee dates →
Best full dayHobbiton & Rotorua including Waiotapu Day Tour from Auckland4.9★ · 501 travelers~13 hoursFree cancellationFrom$212 per personSee dates →
Private & flexiblePrivate flight, in a light plane over the Polynesian motus from Raiatea4.7★ · 37 travelers~1 hoursFree cancellationFrom$70 per personSee dates →More attractions in Kerikeri