About Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands
Fullers Bay of Islands, one of New Zealand's original sightseeing tour and cruise operators and GreatSights®, the premium national sightseeing company have come together to bring you Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands. Today we continue the 123 year old tradition of fine service on board Northland's largest fleet of modern vessels and coaches designed with your clients' safety and comfort in mind.
Each year over 170,000 passengers from around the world travel with us.
With 123 years of experience, local knowledge and passion, the dedicated team from Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands are here to take you on a journey of seeing, feeling and experiencing the real Bay of Islands and Far North. We're not just about showing you another destination, or helping you tick another place off your list. We show you the natural wonders and spectacular scenery of the birthplace of the youngest country in the world.
Treating our passengers as though we are showing visiting friends and family around Northland is a philosophy held across the team from our drivers, and skippers, to the crew and retail staff. Our team is friendly, welcoming, extensively trained and experienced with local area knowledge and are passionate about sharing with you the history, marine life, scenery, culture and Maori mythology of the Bay of Islands and the Far North.
Ipipiri is the newest addition to the Fullers GreatSights Bay of Island family.
History of Fullers
In 1886, Ernest Fuller launched the "Undine" sailing ship in the Bay of Islands to deliver coal supplies to the islands within the Bay. With the fitting of a motor in the early 1900s, Fuller was able to deliver the coal and essential supplies to communities as far out as Cape Brett. In 1927 Fuller acquired the "Cream Trip" from Eddie Lane – with the facilities on board to transport cream from the islands, and by the 1960s, the well known ‘Bay Belle’ started this run. Although a modern catamaran now takes this historical route (The Cream Trip), the Bay Belle continues to transport visitors and locals between Paihia and Russell throughout the day.
Our commitment to Sustainability
As one of Northland's largest tourism operators we understand that what we do has an impact on the environment. The team has taken a number of steps to minimise this impact.
- Support of biodiversity protection initiatives in the Bay of Islands
- We contribute research data and a portion of the fare from Dolphin Eco Encounter to the Department of Conservation
- A commitment to replace all of our coaches with the latest exhaust emission reduction technology
- Installation of speed restrictors on all our coaches to cut fuel consumption
- Measurement of our boat speeds versus fuel consumption to manage fuel use
- Introduction of waste recycling on all our vessels and at our office
- Introduction of a policy of pumping effluent from our boats at land based facilities instead of at sea in legal discharge areas
- Continuous education of our guides about the cultural and natural history and the inclusion of that education as part of our tours
- Committed to working with like minded sustainable businesses in Northland
- Foundation member of the Northland Sustainable Tourism Charter, working to lead the way in sustainable tourism in the region.