220
-
Christchurch Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!
Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
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!
Wed 5 Mar
Thu 6 Mar
Fri 7 Mar
Sat 8 Mar
Sun 9 Mar
Mon 10 Mar
Tue 11 Mar
Wed 12 Mar
Thu 13 Mar
Fri 14 Mar
Sat 15 Mar
Sun 16 Mar
Mon 17 Mar
Tue 18 Mar
- Adult$59.00
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free
- Adult$79.00 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$99.00
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free
- Adult$59.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free
- Adult$59.00 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$99.00
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free
- Adult$59.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free
- Adult$59.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free
Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme
Great cruise
saleshnid from
NZ
Great cruise
saleshnid from
NZ
Great cruise
saleshnid from
NZ
Amazing informative tour
vikkif from
United Kingdom
Amazing informative tour
vikkif from
United Kingdom
Amazing informative tour
vikkif from
United Kingdom
So much fun!
gajak from
NZ
So much fun!
gajak from
NZ
So much fun!
gajak from
NZ
Best wildlife trip in Akaroa
Nicky Tindall from
NZ
Best wildlife trip in Akaroa
Nicky Tindall from
NZ
Best wildlife trip in Akaroa
Nicky Tindall from
NZ
Awesome experience... best hosts!
joh35 from
NZ
Awesome experience... best hosts!
joh35 from
NZ
Awesome experience... best hosts!
joh35 from
NZ
Amazing
Emma Murphy from
NZ
Amazing
Emma Murphy from
NZ
Awesome Cruise
suew18 from
NZ
Awesome Cruise
suew18 from
NZ
Sensational sea journey!
Sara Paulin from
NZ
Amazing time, lovely hosts.
Anna from
NZ
Amazing time, lovely hosts.
Anna from
NZ
Amazing time, lovely hosts.
Anna from
NZ
Excellent
Karol Carry from
NZ
Excellent
Karol Carry from
NZ
Magnificent Experience
Veera from
NZ
Magnificent Experience
Veera from
NZ
Amazing!
nancy baens from
Belgium
Wildlife tour
Iepie Dykstra from
NZ
Titanic! But only in name 😎
bronnyj from
NZ
A great trip with knowledgeable folk
Jools Kilbey from
NZ
A great trip with knowledgeable folk
Jools Kilbey from
NZ
A great trip with knowledgeable folk
Jools Kilbey from
NZ
The experience is so cool
mengx2 from
NZ
Great scenic trip
laurat7 from
NZ
Great scenic trip
laurat7 from
NZ
Great scenic trip
laurat7 from
NZ
Dolphins galore
Catriona Ritchie from
United Kingdom
Dolphins galore
Catriona Ritchie from
United Kingdom
Dolphins galore
Catriona Ritchie from
United Kingdom
Best wildlife tour in Akaroa
Kelly Bisset from
NZ
Best wildlife tour in Akaroa
Kelly Bisset from
NZ
Absolutely treat
bernicer1 from
Singapore
Absolutely treat
bernicer1 from
Singapore
Absolutely treat
bernicer1 from
Singapore
Great trip with Tony
karank from
NZ
Beautiful scenic tour with experienced captain
Nic from
NZ
Beautiful scenic tour with experienced captain
Nic from
NZ
Beautiful scenic tour with experienced captain
Nic from
NZ
Awesome Trip
Shanshan from
NZ
Awesome Trip
Shanshan from
NZ
Awesome Trip
Shanshan from
NZ
Best Boat Trip
Fran Garrod from
NZ
Best Boat Trip
Fran Garrod from
NZ
Best Boat Trip
Fran Garrod from
NZ
Amazing cruise and friendly captain
kimr2 from
NZ
Amazing cruise and friendly captain
kimr2 from
NZ
Amazing cruise and friendly captain
kimr2 from
NZ
Awesome wee trip!
Mark Gibson from
NZ
Excellent cruise
Lisa Marriner from
NZ
Excellent cruise
Lisa Marriner from
NZ
Amazing experience
Mini from
NZ
Amazing experience
Mini from
NZ
Amazing experience
Mini from
NZ
Brilliant!
Madhu Gopal-Boyd from
NZ
Amazing Experience!
travelwithsam from
NZ
Amazing Experience!
travelwithsam from
NZ
Amazing Experience!
travelwithsam from
NZ
Amazing
Mariangeles Flach from
Argentina
Amazing day out
chrisd22 from
NZ
Amazing day out
chrisd22 from
NZ
Excellent afternoon on the water
sarahh14 from
NZ
Wonderful trip
anneliseb1 from
NZ
Wonderful trip
anneliseb1 from
NZ
Wonderful trip
anneliseb1 from
NZ
Amazing Adventure
Purva from
NZ
Amazing Adventure
Purva from
NZ
Amazing Adventure
Purva from
NZ
Excellent trip, great fun,knowledgeable Capn
johnm20 from
United Kingdom
Excellent trip, great fun,knowledgeable Capn
johnm20 from
United Kingdom
Mr
ondrejh from
Czech Republic
Amazing boot trip with Tony
kristinl2 from
NZ
Amazing boot trip with Tony
kristinl2 from
NZ
Amazing boot trip with Tony
kristinl2 from
NZ
Amazing Tour
marieu from
Germany
Just an amazing tour
Natalie from
Germany
Fantastic tour - highly recommended!
codyf from
NZ
Fantastic tour - highly recommended!
codyf from
NZ
Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme
Showing all 220 authenticated Bookme reviews
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Hi Sue Thank you for choosing Coast up Close and this fabulous 5 star review. We love to know that our guests enjoy their time with us out there. Have a great 2024. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
Jenny Le from Australia wrote on 20 January 2023
Just amazing!
Incredible tour! Saw many birds, seals, and dolphins with great stories and information from Tony and Mafi. An absolute must-see for all, especially if you like wildlife, beautiful views, and photography!
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Hi Jenny Thank you for joining our cruise yesterday and this 5 star review, it was a pleasure to have you on board. Enjoy the rest of your NZ trip. All the best, Tony and Mafi
Henriette from New Zealand wrote on 26 February 2025
Loved it!
Such a great experience. The skipper really knows the local history and wildlife and the dolphins seem to love his boat :) had an awesome time cruising around the bay and saw loads of wildlife. Perfect afternoon. Would have liked to stay longer.
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Hi Henriette Thank you for joining our cruise and this lovely review. We are happy that you had the perfect afternoon with us and we are looking forward to seeing you again sometime soon. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
Siobhan Grimshaw from New Zealand wrote on 23 February 2025
Fantastic
We all really enjoyed this tour. The best thing about this particular boat, was being on a smaller boat there were less people. We felt closer to the water and the trip felt much more personal and less commercial, as the commentary was face to face with the operators, rather than via a tannoid. We saw lots of wildlife and Hectors Dolphins, almost touching distance. It was amazing. The only improvement for me personally is, that I would have liked to hear more about the history of Akaroa.
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
HI Siobhan Thank you for joining our cruise and this fab review. We are thrilled you enjoyed it - next time please let us know and we can tell you more about the history. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
saminas from United States wrote on 19 February 2025
Awesome tour!
Best boat tour in Akaroa, NZ!! A small group, personal attention, great commentary by Toni and Mafi! We saw so many Hector dolphins! It was clear that they felt comfortable and safe approaching our boat and they spent so much time swimming at the bow of the boat - it was MAGICAL. We also saw lots of seals and even a little blue penguin and a few Albatrosses! Would highly recommend to anyone wanting a genuine delightful trip around the coast!
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Hi Samina Thank you for taking time to write this fabulous review and recommending. It is always great to know that our guests enjoy their time with us. Take care. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
Powered by Bookme
Copyright © 2025 Bookme Limited.
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.
close
delete
Delete your content?
This item will be deleted immediately. You can't undo this action.
Continue with Facebook
suew18 from New Zealand wrote on 29 December 2023
Awesome Cruise
What a fab "Coast Up Close" cruise this was⛵️ Our crew Tony & Mafi were awesome with a fantastic array of knowledge👍 We certainly did get up close to nature as it is a small boat!⛵️ We saw loads of dolphins🐬 🐬 🐬, birdlife 🐦🐦🐦, seals🦭🦭🦭 Thank you guys for a fab cruise... we would highly recommend😊