Kawau Cruises
Kawau Cruises
4.5
Boat ToursPublic Transportation SystemsDolphin & Whale WatchingNature & Wildlife Tours
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
Escape for a day to beautiful Kawau Island, home to a pristine wildlife reserve surrounded by the calm clear waters of the Hauraki Gulf. Kawau Island Super Cruise takes you from Sandspit, just a short drive North of Auckland city, to follow the Royal Mail delivery route around Kawau - the longest mail run by watercraft in the Southern Hemisphere. This is the perfect way to take in the Island's many stunning bays and gain insight into what life is like for the 70 or so permanent residents who call the road-less Island home. Learn about the history of the Island and take in amazing views while your experienced skipper points out significant landmarks and sights of interest. Watch Gannets and other seabirds on the hunt for their lunch. Don't forget to keep a close eye out for Dolphins, Penguins and other interesting sea creatures that might show up for a visit. Arriving ashore at Mansion House Bay there is plenty of time to explore your beautiful surroundings. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy, visit the historic Mansion House and stroll through the stunning subtropical gardens alive with native birds such as Tui, Kereru and the cheeky Weka. Proud Peacocks and shy Wallabies call the gardens their home so keep your camera on hand to catch a unique photo opportunity. Enjoy the numerous walking tracks that beckon you to beautiful beaches. Along the way, discover and explore ancient Maori Pa sites and the ruins of a seashore copper mine once worked by early settlers. Pack your swimwear and some snorkeling gear in summer to explore the crystal clear waters teeming with marine life. Return Cruise Price: $68 Adult (16+) $34 Child (5-15 years) FREE Preschool (0-4 years) Please note: The Department of Conservation charges a small fee on the day for entry to the historic Mansion House ($4 adults, $2 Children, Under 5s free) Departs Sandspit Wharf 10:30 am daily - Returns from Mansion House 2pm
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4.5
78 reviews
Excellent
46
Very good
21
Average
9
Poor
1
Terrible
1
paul carnahan
Auckland, New Zealand2 contributions
Apr 2023
The skipper very informative on the Islands Coppermine. Skipper spoke about the history of each nsy we dropped off parcels in.
Was suppose to be a BBQ onboard lunch but to factors outside their control we ate on the Islands cafe at Kawau Island,Mansion House Bay. Absolutly perfectly cooked steak/salmon with salad and a fresh roll.
Lovely walks nearby and a must do visit The Mansion House.
Was suppose to be a BBQ onboard lunch but to factors outside their control we ate on the Islands cafe at Kawau Island,Mansion House Bay. Absolutly perfectly cooked steak/salmon with salad and a fresh roll.
Lovely walks nearby and a must do visit The Mansion House.
Written 29 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jules
Auckland, New Zealand230 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
Fantastic day out on the boat, traveling to Kawau Island. No mail run drop offs though which was slightly disappointing. Great commentary from the captain and really friendly, helpful staff. We chose the bbq lunch option, and this was okay but not good value. For $33, the piece of average steak, bread roll, and salad was underwhelming. Our 11 year old's $20 lunch was an American hot dog (which turned out to be a spicy sausage) and salad, which, of course, she didn't eat. Luckily, there's a lovely cafe on the island.
A real highlight of our trip was visiting Mansion House. There's a $10 entry free for adults and children under 16 are free. It's well worth it. The history is fascinating and the house has been restored beautifully. You feel like you are walking through someone's past and everything is accessible, not roped off from yards away. Another high point was swimming and snorkeling at the beach. It's a really great day out for the family.
A real highlight of our trip was visiting Mansion House. There's a $10 entry free for adults and children under 16 are free. It's well worth it. The history is fascinating and the house has been restored beautifully. You feel like you are walking through someone's past and everything is accessible, not roped off from yards away. Another high point was swimming and snorkeling at the beach. It's a really great day out for the family.
Written 10 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SomersetTrucker2
Murcia, Spain119 contributions
Dec 2022
We have been on this cruise before and thoroughly enjoyed the ambience and especially the island. But unfortunately we can’t say that this time, don’t get me wrong the island remains idyllic. But the staff from the receptionist who spoke in a loud brash voice as if we were stupid to the member of staff serving food who spoke to us as if we were queuing up for a meal in the school dining room. Her attitude was condescending, rude and un called for.
I think the staff need training in customer services.
The so called barbecue was of a poor standard, we feel a sausage or burger would of been more appetising than salmon and steak poorly cooked.
Sorry mail cruise you disappointed us!
I think the staff need training in customer services.
The so called barbecue was of a poor standard, we feel a sausage or burger would of been more appetising than salmon and steak poorly cooked.
Sorry mail cruise you disappointed us!
Written 31 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suzanne G
3 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
We had a beautiful sunny day for the mail run cruise to Kawau Island. The skipper of the boat was excellent; smoothly gliding up to each jetty for the drop offs and providing interesting commentary about each location. Unfortunately the staff were not so professional. From the young woman at the ticket office to the staff on the boat, they all spoke to us in big loud voices using a bossy condescending manner as if we were five year olds on a school trip. A large family from an ethnic minority - who were struggling to understand English - were told in no uncertain terms, “you’ve already been told three times” when politely enquiring as to where they could picnic. Whether this was racism or ignorance about appropriate behaviour I don’t know but either way it was unpleasant and uncalled for. At the onboard bbq lunch we were yelled at about how to line up, told not to touch our food plate until we’d selected our drink, and so on. As a New Zealander returning home with my family from the UK it was embarrassing that they were treated like imbeciles. I hope this post will prompt the company to sort it out.
Written 27 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JunkmanNZ
Auckland52 contributions
Dec 2022
We went on the Royal mail run and got the lunch option. We also managed to get a discounted price through a third party which made it quite cost-effective.
The boat trip out was great, but we chose the wrong day, if you want the full experience pick Mon, Wed or Fri as those are the days the mail goes out. But on our day there were still packages to deliver and people to drop-off, so, not a huge loss.
The lunch was very nice, but not very much, I would suggest you take snacks with you.
We got dropped off at Mansion House about 12:30. There are two pickup times from Mansion House, the first at 2 pm which is back on the same boat, and the second at 4:30 by boat taxi, which is much smaller.
We spent our time exploring the Mansion House and taking a walk about the area.
We chose the taxi option as it gave us something else to experience. The taxi that came had a limit of 17 and ended up with about 14 on board, so a little cramped, but also something different.
The boat trip out was great, but we chose the wrong day, if you want the full experience pick Mon, Wed or Fri as those are the days the mail goes out. But on our day there were still packages to deliver and people to drop-off, so, not a huge loss.
The lunch was very nice, but not very much, I would suggest you take snacks with you.
We got dropped off at Mansion House about 12:30. There are two pickup times from Mansion House, the first at 2 pm which is back on the same boat, and the second at 4:30 by boat taxi, which is much smaller.
We spent our time exploring the Mansion House and taking a walk about the area.
We chose the taxi option as it gave us something else to experience. The taxi that came had a limit of 17 and ended up with about 14 on board, so a little cramped, but also something different.
Written 18 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Woodham05
Hamilton & Waikato Region, New Zealand29 contributions
Mar 2022 • Friends
Great mail trip cruise . Captain very informative and lovely chap. All staff pleasant. BUT the lunch at $30 per head was very disapponting. Steak so tough bread roll huge with very little butter. Salad its only saving component. Only wish they had told us we could a lunch on the island at mansion house
Written 30 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aunty126
wanganui78 contributions
Jun 2021
Went on the Royal Mail Run and couldn't have been any better. Staff were fantastic and the captain took the time to take us to a pod of dolphins. Dropped off at the Mansion which although not open, was lovely to wander around. Had BBQ lunch which was excellent. On the way home, pod of dolphins played behind the boat which was just magical and again the captain took the time to ensure we could enjoy this wonderful experience. Highly recommend this adventure.
Written 4 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheBarrsNZ
Hamilton, New Zealand453 contributions
May 2021
We went on the bbq lunch mail run cruise. Lovelynrelaxing day....seats are comfy, lunch was tasty and enjoyed the views. Stopped at Kawau for a couple of hours (you must get off) and took a walk and went into the museum. The weather was not that great but would be wonderful on a clear sunny day and to take your togs. Trip back was good too.
Written 30 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scenic824330
Palmerston North, New Zealand32 contributions
May 2021
Travelled in the off season with just 4 tourists including us. Very windy but this didn't affect the trip. Really enjoyed the commentary and the experience. As off season Mansion house and Cafe were closed but this wasn't a problem for us. Used a Grabone with lunch included which while basic (steak sandwich) was very nice and filling. All round good trip to do.
Written 25 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruth
Auckland, New Zealand7 contributions
Apr 2021 • Friends
What a great day out, with information along the way about the islands. We had a grab one deal. We had lunch with beautiful salmon and salad.
Had a chance to chill out at Mansion house.
Would recommend as a great day out.
Had a chance to chill out at Mansion house.
Would recommend as a great day out.
Written 5 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
susibLondon
london52 contributions
Interested in doing the Royal Mail run. Could you please tell me what meat is served on the BBQ?