Experience a comfortable up-close encounter with some of the most amazing wildlife and stunning coastlines around Akaroa and Banks Peninsula!
Join us for a wildlife tour that explores the spectacular volcanic coastline and abundant wildlife of Banks Peninsula and Akaroa.
Our wildlife tour numbers are kept limited, offering you a small and intimate tour that will take you where others can’t, with amazing views of New Zealand’s wildlife. Our friendly and knowledgeable crew love meeting and talking with our guests. Tony, a real Kiwi, has been exploring the waters around the Peninsula since the 1960s. He’ll entertain you with his the stories of his adventures and share his enthusiasm for this wonderful environment and stunning wildlife.
Our characterful and comfortable boat - Wairiri, is a 41-foot Kauri Launch built in 1964. Our tours specialise in small groups and enough space to move around the boat for the best wildlife viewing and photo opportunities! On your tour you’ll see gigantic cliffs, go inside sea caves and get close to all the incredible wildlife. Tony often still has a lobster pot out and we pull it up on some of our trips. We never know what we find in it: Lobster, octopus, conger eel, starfish and sand sharks are just a few of the creatures we might have caught.
Experience Akaroa and Banks Peninsula on this intimate boat tour where you’ll see stunning wildlife and extraordinary views of the coastline!
Hi Frans Thank you for joining us yesterday and this fab review. It was lovely to meet you both and we hope the rest of your trip goes well. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
We enjoyed the cruise watching wildlife and being in sea. The boat was the best one to ride out there and enjoy the waves and sightseeing. We were very happy with our hosts and saw heaps to enjoy despite cloudy weather. Great for families including seniors and foreigners to experience a great day out in Akaroa.
Hi Kath Thank you for joining our cruise yesterday and this lovely 5 star review. We are very happy that you enjoyed the trip despite the cloudy weather and the waves. All the best for 2026. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
This was one of the highlights of our trip to NZ! It was so personal, relaxed and welcoming. What was very important to us is how respectful towards nature and wildlife this tour is, really 10/10!
Hi Wouter Thank you for joining Coast up Close for a cruise and this 5 star review. We are of course stoked that our cruise was one of the highlights of your trip. All the best for 2026. Regards, Mafi
Thanks a lot for this wonderful experience!
Hi Marcel Thanks for joining us yesterday and giving us 5 stars. Safe travels and all the best for 2026. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
I've been on this trip 4 times with various visitors, and it is always great. It's intimate (not loads of people) chilled, informative, fun and you always see lots of interesting things.
Hi Simon Thank you for choosing Coast up Close with your visitors and this 5 star review. We love having people return and hope to see you again soon. Merry Christmas and all the best for 2026. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
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Frans Stoffels from Netherlands wrote on 18 February 2025
Tour met Tony
We hebben genoten van een prachtige trip. En kunnen het iedereen aanraden. Tony en zijn compagnon waren zeer goed in tekst en uitleg. Top