Akaroa Wildlife Cruise: Intimate Tour with Local Expert
5.0
58 Ratings
Christchurch

Embark on an intimate wildlife cruise in New Zealand with stunning views of the country’s diverse wildlife. Join our limited number tours and discover hidden treasures on the waters, while enjoying the company of our friendly crew and the tales of Tony, a true Kiwi explorer.

Duration: 2 hours, 45 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Akaroa - Explore Akaroa Harbour and coast with local skipper and owner Tony. He has a real wealth of knowledge and will give you entertaining insights into the wildlife, history and geology of our beautiful backyard.
What's Included
  • All applicable fees and taxes included
Additional Information

We keep our tour group sizes small to provide you a personal and exclusive journey, capable of reaching spots the majority can’t, whilst offering breathtaking vistas of New Zealand’s animal life. Our approachable and seasoned team enjoys interacting and conversing with our patrons. Our pleasant boat dog, Scruffy, accompanies us on our post-noon…

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Location
Coast up Close Wildlife Tours
Beach Road
Ocean end of the Main Wharf in Akaroa
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(58 Ratings)
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Stevecarpenter52
Apr 8, 2024
Great excursion in Akaroa - We had a great time on this excursion. The tour operators were friendly and knowledgeable with lots of local stories. We saw penguins, sea lions, dolphins and a lot of birds. Would highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Melbourneros
Mar 17, 2024
A personal tour of the harbour and its wildlife . - Tony and his partner provided about small group ( just 6 of us ) with a very informative interesting tour with many sightings of pods of the small hectors dolphins , flocks of shags and small penguins . It was good to be in a small boat which was able to slow down quickly and navigate close to rock platforms . Tony grew up in the area is a local farmer and fisherman so had heaps of stories to tell . His partner who drove the boat is from Switzerland and very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the local wildlife . Recommend this small group personal tour .
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dannyl980
Mar 16, 2024
Amazing Family Wildlife Cruise! - Absolutely wonderful time on our Akaroa Wildlife Cruise! Tony and Mafi we're incredibly knowledgeable of all that we saw, and took special care to ensure our little ones (6 and 3) had a great time as well. Boat is smaller so everyone gets great views! Would highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rondas844
Mar 9, 2024
Nice tour of the beautiful Akaroa waters - In spite of chilly temps and overcast skies, we were still able to see a good variety of native wildlife. Enjoyed the local stories as well.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Susan_p
Mar 7, 2024
Great trip seeing the wildlife and the coastline - The care and dedication to the animals that Tony and partner showed was amazing. Their Experience and knowledge was fantastic and beautiful weather topped off a great afternoon.
Review provided by Viator
Johnht8160qz
Mar 2, 2024
Dolphins galore - Saw more than 10 dolphins on the tour, and many followed along in sync with the boat, including a mom and baby. Also saw a group of seals and a penguin. Amazing experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alliej543
Feb 24, 2024
Lovely Trip with a Family Warmth to it. - Without doubt, you will love the Family atmosphere aboard Tony’s boat, bring your lunch there is a table to sit at if you want a break. Tony is a mind of information and as someone who has lived 1hr30 from this stretch of coastline for over 30 years, I was humbled to have overlooked so much beauty previously. I’d choose Tony over the bigger impersonal cruiser. The boat is a lovely smooth and quiet ride with a wonderful safe feeling about her, and stops regularly to respect the dolphins etc.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Explore817594
Feb 1, 2024
Wildlife cruise - A great tour in a magnificant scenery. We've seen dolphins, pinguins as well seals. I recommend this tour to anybody who likes to go out by a small company.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jensmartinb2024
Jan 30, 2024
Excellent tour. - Excellent tour. Not like some of the other boats that seem to chase the dolphins. However we saw dolphins several times. They seem to like this boat and swim along. Also we saw a penguin and seals and beautiful cliffs. Loved our hosts.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Journey38225612519
Jan 28, 2024
Must do experience!!! - This wildlife tour was amazing. The hosts Tony and Mafi were great and had plenty of knowledge and stories. We got see lots of dolphins, seals and a little blue penguin. Being on the smaller boat was great as it didn’t scare the animals and allowed them to come to us. Overall an amazing and must do experience and we would do it again in a heartbeat!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Check Availability
From $54
From $54
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
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Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).