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Akaroa Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!tune
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 canโt, with amazing views of New Zealandโs 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. Heโll 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 youโll 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 youโll see stunning wildlife and extraordinary views of the coastline!
All prices are shown inNZD ($)
- 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$89.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$89.00
- 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
- 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
Authenticated Reviews
Real highlights, tips, and the helpful advice straight from Bookme customers whoโve 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 234 authenticated Bookme reviews
Marcel Mucha from Switzerland wrote on 27 December 2025
Great job
Thanks a lot for this wonderful experience!
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Hi Marcel Thanks for joining us yesterday and giving us 5 stars. Safe travels and all the best for 2026. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
Simon Kingham from New Zealand wrote on 21 December 2025
Great trip
I've been on this trip 4 times with various visitors, and it is always great. It's intimate (not loads of people) chilled, informative, fun and you always see lots of interesting things.
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Hi Simon Thank you for choosing Coast up Close with your visitors and this 5 star review. We love having people return and hope to see you again soon. Merry Christmas and all the best for 2026. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
Sarah from New Zealand wrote on 17 December 2025
Amazing!
Tony & Mafi were great once again! This is our 2nd trip both were brilliant! Informative & respectful of the wildlife, which we appreciated. The dolphins love to come near their boat bow! (We had 8 at one time!) ๐ Beautiful scenery. So worthwhile! My parents loved it too! Thanks & happy Christmas! ๐
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Hi Sarah Thank you for joining our cruise for a second time and bringing your parents along. It was a pleasure to have you all aboard and of course we love knowing you all enjoyed it. It is a pretty stunning place out there. We are looking forward to see you again soon and you too, have a happy Christmas and all the best for 2026. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
Nigel Prosser from New Zealand wrote on 24 November 2025
Simply Amazing!
If you're looking for a busy overbooked rushed boat trip.. don't bother booking here. However if you're looking for the best ever personal boat trip that is just amazing and out of this world this is definitely the place to come. Amazing people and just Amazing! Thank you for such a perfect trip. Needs to be a 10 start rating option as 5 don't do it justice.
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Hi Nigel Thank you so much for this amazing 5 star review. It was a pleasure to have you and your family on board and we are looking forward to seeing you again sometime soon. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
Copyright ยฉ2025 Bookme Limited.
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Wouter from Netherlands wrote on 28 December 2025
Amazing experience!
This was one of the highlights of our trip to NZ! It was so personal, relaxed and welcoming. What was very important to us is how respectful towards nature and wildlife this tour is, really 10/10!