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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$76.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$76.00
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$76.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$110.00
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$66.00
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$66.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$110.00
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$76.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$76.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$76.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$110.00
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$66.00
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$66.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$110.00
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$76.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$76.00
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$110.00
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$66.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$110.00
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$86.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$76.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$76.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$76.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$110.00
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$66.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$110.00
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$86.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$76.00 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 250 authenticated Bookme reviews
terrieb from New Zealand wrote on 05 April 2026
Great trip
Fabulous trip, very informative. Saw lots of wildlife. Great value for money.
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Hi Terrie Thank you for choosing Coast up Close and giving us 5 stars. We love to know our guests enjoy their time out there with us. Take care. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
barbc1 from New Zealand wrote on 18 March 2026
Wild life tour
Ethical tour. Lovrly friendly and informative hosts. Saw lots of dolphins and seals
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Hi Barb Thank you for joining our tour and this lovely 5 star review. So good to know people enjoy what we do. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
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!
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Hi Thank you for joining Coast up Close a second time and this fabulous review. We are looking forward to seeing you for a 3rd trip sometime soon. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
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
Copyright ©2026 Bookme Limited.
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Teresa Cooper from United Kingdom wrote on 20 June 2026
Fantastic day
What a great way to spend the morning, we saw dolphins and seals, the guide was full of local information and the because of the small size of the group, felt very personal. Would highly recommend, thank you