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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 canโ€™t, with amazing views of New Zealandโ€™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. Heโ€™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 youโ€™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 youโ€™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

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

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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 ๐Ÿ˜Ž

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

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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.

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Anne Mathiesen from Denmark wrote on 11 February 2026

Great experience

I really recommend going on this boat with Tony. They were really respectful about the nature and Tony knows the area and the dolphins very well! We enjoyed the trip and the cool wildlife and beautiful nature!!

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

Hi Anne Thank you for joining us yesterday and glad to hear you enjoyed your afternoon on the boat. We are very lucky with all the wildlife and scenery. Safe travels. Cheers, Tony and Mafi

Erin Layt from Australia wrote on 10 February 2026

Great tour!

My whole family went on this tour and we all loved it! We got to see Hector Dolphins and seals and lots of different birds.

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

Hi Erin Thank you for brining your whole family on our cruise and great to know you all enjoyed it. All the best. Cheers, Tony and Mafi

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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.

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