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Auckland Dolphin and Whale Watching Eco-Safari Cruise: Explore Hauraki Gulf's Wildlife
4.6
1,518 Ratings
Auckland
Embark on an exciting eco-safari cruise in Auckland to spot whales, dolphins, and seabirds in the pristine waters of Hauraki Gulf. Learn from experts and contribute to marine conservation efforts.
Embark on an exciting eco-safari cruise in Auckland to spot whales, dolphins, and seabirds in the pristine waters of Hauraki Gulf. Learn from experts and contribute to marine conservation efforts.
Duration:
4 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
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Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana - New Zealand’s most interactive whale and dolphin watching experience.
An incredible eco safari direct from downtown Auckland. If you’ve always wanted to go whale watching, our 4.5-hour safari features breathtaking encounters with New Zealand marine wildlife, including whales, dolphins, seals, rare seabirds, and more!…
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Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana - New Zealand’s most interactive whale and dolphin watching experience.
An incredible eco safari direct from downtown Auckland. If you’ve always wanted to go whale watching, our 4.5-hour safari features breathtaking encounters with New Zealand marine wildlife, including whales, dolphins, seals, rare seabirds, and more! Make close-up discoveries and enjoy experiences with our diverse marine wildlife in the stunning scenery of Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. Enjoy unique and special moments with our wildlife and capture photos of rare birds, marine mammals, and amazing island views during your personal encounters.
What's Included
- Local guide
- Contribution to Marine Mammal Conservation with every ticket
- Expert commentary and interaction with onboard Marine Research Scientists
- Local guide
- Contribution to Marine Mammal Conservation with every ticket
- Expert commentary and interaction with onboard Marine Research Scientists
What's Not Included
- Food and drinks (available to purchase)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks (available to purchase)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information
Look for whales, dolphins and seabirds in the pristine waters of Hauraki Gulf just a short boat ride from Auckland city’s Viaduct Harbour. Learn from experts on board working to protect these precious creatures and their fragile home. As an active marine-mammal research vessel every passenger contributes to important conservation efforts, just by coming…
Look for whales, dolphins and seabirds in the pristine waters of Hauraki Gulf just a short boat ride from Auckland city’s Viaduct Harbour. Learn from experts on board working to protect these precious creatures and their fragile home. As an active marine-mammal research vessel every passenger contributes to important conservation efforts, just by coming on board. A dollar from every ticket purchased goes towards the Hauraki Gulf Guardians fund which supports organisations and programs that aim to regenerate the Hauraki Gulf and ensure its future.
- Advisable to dress in warm layers and weatherproof gear as weather can be unpredictable
- Advisable to bring sun hat (with chin strap to secure it), sunscreen, sunglasses, camera, binoculars and flat-soled shoes
- IMPORTANT: Check in closes 15 minutes prior to stated departure time. Those passengers who are late risk losing their allocated seats.
- If mobility impaired and a wheelchair is required, please contact operator directly to discuss requirements
Location
Eastern Viaduct
Our boat is at Berth 9, Eastern Viaduct Marina, accessed from the end of Quay Street heading West. This is opposite the Maritime Museum. On arrival look for our crew at the top of our boarding ramp to check in 30 minutes before departure (check-in closes 15 minutes prior to trip time).
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.6
(1518 Ratings)
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Puran_d
Nov 4, 2024
Day one in Auckland NZ - It was great memorable experience of watching whale and dolphin, the crew was excellent 👌 and had brilliant knowledge of marine wildlife must visit thanks
Review provided by Viator
Kathleen_w
Nov 3, 2024
Wonderful day out , help preserve our wildlife - Great time , saw Orcas which are only seen on 5 % of their trips so very lucky. Lovely day out on the water, crew were very knowledgeable and nice, highly recommend
Review provided by Viator
Mohamed_k
Oct 28, 2024
NZOP-005 AKA Free Willy 🐋 - What an awesome adventure, highly recommend it
You will definitely get qet if your keen to see the 🐬 and 🐋 up close so get a change of clothes.
Thanks to Emily A.K.A Laurie 😁 , Tony, John and Graham.
We enjoyed it tremendously.
PS: its not for the light stomachers. If your in doubt your gonna get sea sick, you definitely will. Buy the tablets from the chemist before you board.
Review provided by Viator
Globetrotting760619
Oct 27, 2024
Great afternoon on the water - This is a must do when visiting Auckland!! The crew and staff were top-notch, very accommodating and professional. They were very educational as well, explaining different parts of the harbor and sea life. They told us what to look for, were diligent in tracking down possible dolphin and whale sightings by tracking the birds. We were fortunate enough to see a pod of common dolphins and then not long after that we were able to see some orca. It is the open water so perhaps stronger caution should be given to families with small kids, but honestly, I saw more adults with sea-sickness than children, so make sure you take your Dramamine and come prepared!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mark_c
Oct 21, 2024
So amazing just do it !! - Just such an amazing day . Not just seeing hundreds of wild dolphins ( many playing around the boat ) and 13 different whales , the crew was amazing . Good sized boat = not overcrowded
Review provided by Viator
Curtishs6886ss
Oct 17, 2024
Awesome tour with great hosts. The guides are fantastic, knowledgeable, and fun! - This was amazing! Seeing dolphins follow and engage with the boat and play for the crowds in their natural habit is unbelievable. This tour is well worth it and will do it again!!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
A4824puleighh
Nov 6, 2024
No whales or dolphins, but still a good time! - Unfortunately we weren't able to.see any marine life because of the weather conditions. However, the crew was very upfront about the likelihood of seeing anything based on weather restrictions, and tried very hard to find some wildlife so us to see. They also did a good job ensuring the trip was still entertaining, providing information about the area, wildlife, and the science around it. While we didn't see anything other than some birds, we still had a wonderful time on our cruise around the area.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bridget
Oct 31, 2024
A little long… - The employees were friendly and knowledgable.
The boat was comfortable.
I thought the amount of time traveling on the boat was excessive for the amount of dolphin activity we actually saw.
Would try them again if the trip time was cut by an hour. Would definitely be a 5 if not for the excess time.
The actual time looking at the dolphins and seeing the whale spouts was great.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lackshu
Oct 28, 2024
Good trip, but a pre-alert would be nice. - We were lucky to get to see 2 Orcas and a large group of dolphins getting away from the Orcas. The crew was great!
My recommendation is to let people know upfront that they should stay at the lower deck if they're prone to sea sickness or suspect they can't stomach the choppy waters.
Not many people are aware and might conflate the trip with the ferry rides. We are going around 70 nautical miles into the sea, It can be a rude shock when the sea is choppy and you get thrown about. Good to let people know that it's ideal to have a lighter meal before, too.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Connector65828319045
Nov 1, 2024
Disappointing - Disappointing trip.
I had booked this for my family on my Daughter's birthday with high hopes but it turned out to be total let down wasting both time & money.
Review provided by Tripadvisor