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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!
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 inNZD ($)
- Adult$79.00 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$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$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$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
Real highlights, tips, and the helpful advice straight from Bookme customers who’ve actually done this experience, summarised with AI support
- emergencyCustomers loved the personal touch of the tour, with many praising the small group size which allowed for a more intimate experience (30 people said this).
- emergencyThe knowledgeable and friendly guides, Tony and Mafi, received high praise for their informative commentary and passion for the wildlife and history of Akaroa (25 people said this).
- emergencyGuests enjoyed seeing a variety of wildlife up close, including Hector dolphins, seals, and even penguins, which made the experience magical (28 people said this).
- emergencyThe comfortable and well-organized boat was highlighted as a significant factor in enhancing the overall experience (20 people said this).
- emergencyMany reviewers mentioned the stunning coastal scenery, making it a visually spectacular trip (22 people said this).
- emergencyThe opportunity for kids to engage, like steering the boat, was a memorable highlight for families (10 people said this).
- star_shineBring a camera to capture the stunning views and wildlife.
Consider booking early to secure your spot on this popular tour.
Showing all 247 authenticated Bookme reviews
Jiao from China wrote on 23 February 2026
Amazing
A beautiful day. A kind couple. An amazing tour. Seeing various natural wildlife, including seal, dolphins and penguins.
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Hi Jiao Thank you for joining our cruise and this lovely review. Safe travels and all the best. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
shelleyo1 from New Zealand wrote on 15 February 2026
Absolutely Fantatic
This was the highlight of our trip . Tony was a great captain, very knowledgeable and friendly. He took us to see wildlife and the most amazing geologic formations venturing outside the harbour. Coming back in we saw the other tours, packed and circling within the harbour and thanked our luck in choosing this one. Highly recommend, Shelley
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Hi Shelley Thank you for this fabulous review. We love to take our passengers outside the harbour whenever possible, there's so much to see out there. All the best. 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.
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Hi Marilyn Thank you for choosing Coast up Close and for this lovely 5 star review. All the best. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
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!!
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
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jand9 from Netherlands wrote on 10 March 2026
Awesome day out on the boat!
This is the second time we've gone for a trip with coast up close. And it was awesome! We saw dolphins, penguins, sea lions and their pups. A navy ship and beautiful volcanic rock formations!