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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!
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 canβt, with amazing views of New Zealandβs 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. Heβll 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 youβll 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 youβll see stunning wildlife and extraordinary views of the coastline!
All prices are shown in NZD ($)
- Adult$89.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$89.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$79.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$69.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$69.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$79.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$69.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$79.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
Authenticated Reviews & Photos All of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme
Showing all 240 authenticated Bookme reviews
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 π
Great price, lovely boat and Tony was great, even stepped in to be Leo to our Kate. Missed the dog though!
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
Joy Floody from United Kingdom wrote on 05 February 2026
Great cruise!
A friendly welcome on board from skipper Tony. The Hector's Dolphins joined us a few times swimming alongside the boat. Saw interesting rock formations with explanations from Tony. Also stopped near a seal nursery. Very enjoyable trip!
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Hi Joy,, Thank you for joining our cruise and taking time to review. Great to know you enjoyed your trip with us. All the best. Tony and Mafi
Moira Nogat from New Zealand wrote on 03 February 2026
Fantastic
Fantastic experience π π Thoroughly enjoyed an amazing day in the water. Incredible knowledge of the area and it's history and beauty. Fully recommend this trip, saw it all, seals, bird life, dolphins galore!. Lovely couple to share this experience. Thank you!!!
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Hi Moira Thank you for joining our cruise yesterday and this fab review. It was lovely to have you ladies on board. We wish you all the best. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
janec26 from New Zealand wrote on 15 January 2026
Fantastic trip - highly recommend!
We took this tour on a sunny, windy day and LOVED it. Mafi expertly manoeuvred the boat through the waves and Tony casually balanced on deck with hands in pockets telling us about the landscape and wildlife, never holding onto anything! Saw the super cute Hectors dolphins, baby seals playing in a rockpool... Tony spent time with everyone and is such a great guy. I think he could get along with anyone. Can't recommend this tour enough. The antithesis of big company tours. Thank you Tony and Mafi - our trip with you was the highlight of our time in Akaroa, even better than the baguettes :-)
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Hi Jane Thank you for much for joining our cruise last week and this amazing review. We are stoked that you enjoyed your time with us despite the windy conditions. Aaaand beating the baguettes.... All the best to you all. 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