• travel_explore
    Christchurch Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!
    tune
  • image_search
    Search Christchurch... Experiences, attractions, dining & more

Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa

5.0
238
Deals from $69.00 Save $41.00 Check dates nowsystem_update_alt
Experience a comfortable up-close encounter with some of the most amazing wildlife and stunning coastlines around Akaroa and Banks Peninsula!

Experience a comfortable up-close encounter with some of the most amazing wildlife and stunning coastlines around Akaroa and Banks Peninsula!

Highlights

  • Spectacular views of Banks Peninsula and Akaroa!
  • See some of the most amazing wildlife in their natural habitats
  • Small groups tours make for a more intimate and incredible experience
  • Bring your camera for the best wildlife viewing and photo opportunities!

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!

Adult $110.00
Child $40.00 (3-15 years old)
Infant $0.00 (Up to 3 years old)

Location

  • Drummonds Jetty, 59E Beach Road, Akaroa
  • We are located on the newly built Drummonds Jetty (opposite the Akaroa Fish n'Chips shop).

Bad Weather Refunds

  • If your experience is cancelled by the operator (because of the bad weather, safety concerns, unscheduled maintenance etc) you will be entitled to a full refund.

Notes

  • Allow approximately 2.5 hours for the whole experience.

Available Bookings from 12 Feb to 25 Feb 2026

Change Dates

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Thu 12 Feb
Fri 13 Feb
Sat 14 Feb
Sun 15 Feb
Mon 16 Feb
Tue 17 Feb
Wed 18 Feb
Thu 19 Feb
Fri 20 Feb
Sat 21 Feb
Sun 22 Feb
Mon 23 Feb
Tue 24 Feb
Wed 25 Feb

  • Adult$89.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$40.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$79.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$40.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$69.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$40.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$69.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$40.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$79.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$40.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$69.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$40.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$79.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$40.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$89.00
  • Child$40.00
  • Infant Free

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

5.0

238 reviews

Showing all 238 authenticated Bookme reviews

quentind5 from France wrote on 26 December 2023

Excellente balade / Organisateur au top

Balade a la découverte de la faune local, nous avons pu apercevoir plusieurs dauphin ainsi que des phoques et une multitude d'oiseaux, le personnel est super sympa et mets tous de suite à l'aise en venant discuter avec vous, nous avons aussi reçu de magnifiques explications sur les environs ( attention à l'accent kiwi, assez difficile a comprendre avec le bruit du vent et du moteur) A recommander, si nous revenons ici ce sera à coup sûr avec la même organisation. Merci a vous !

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa

Hi Quentin Thank you for joining us and recommending us. We hope you had a lovely Christmas and enjoy the rest of your travels. Cheers, Tony and Mafi

guillaumeb3 from France wrote on 04 March 2020

Super expérience

L'équipage est déjà très sympa, concernant la sortie en mer nous avons vu dauphins, otaries, oiseax et même un ou deux pingouins sauvages. Ça vaut le coup et les paysages sont magnifiques, je recommande

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa

Mercy beaucoup for joining our wildlife cruise and your nice review. We love our wildlife and glad we could share it with you. Cheers, Tony and crew

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

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa

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

bronnyj from New Zealand wrote on 08 March 2023

Titanic! But only in name 😎

Great price, lovely boat and Tony was great, even stepped in to be Leo to our Kate. Missed the dog though!

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa

Hi Bronny, Thank you for joining our cruise yesterday and your review. We're glad you enjoyed it. Cheers, Tony and Mafi

Marilyn Smethurst from New Zealand wrote on 12 February 2026

Great trip

A lovely excursion round Akaroa harbour. Nice to have a small group. A very knowledgeable skipper who told us lots about the harbour and the wildlife.

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

close

Qualmark Certification

This award identifies a business with a high level of professionalism, a keen awareness of the impact it has on the environment and a commitment to a customer centric approach.

This award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure the business's focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create genuine, constantly evolving and sustainable tourism experiences.

This award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand. It denotes exceptional customer experiences at the heart of everything the company does. This business is leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.

When you see the Qualmark logo, your activity of choice is endorsed by New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation and backed by leaders in the industry. It's your trusted guide to iconic activities and experiences that are awarded for their exceptionally high level of quality, safety and sustainability.

Sample menu

close
delete

Delete your content?

This item will be deleted immediately. You can't undo this action.