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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 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!
All prices are shown in NZD ($)
- Adult$79.00 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$59.00 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$79.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$99.00
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$59.00 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
- Adult$79.00 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 219 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
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.
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!
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
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
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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😊