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Ohinepaka Bay 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!
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$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$110.00
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$69.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$78.00 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$110.00
- 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 227 authenticated Bookme reviews
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Thank you for you for this fab review. It was lovely to meet you both and we are happy to enjoyed your time out there. Our beautiful backyard has so much to offer. Take care. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
Erica Malloy fromNew Zealand wrote on 17 April 2025
Wicked Experience
Highly recommend Coast Up Close. Knowledgeable staff who share the history of the region. Fabulous scenery and amazing wildlife.
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Hi Erica Thank you for joining us yesterday and this 5 star review. It was a pleasure to have you all on board and see you again sometime soon. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
Stella Liu fromNew Zealand wrote on 13 April 2025
Best boat tour ever!
This was a magical experience! It’s the perfect vessel size for a trip around the Akaroa head and harbour, Tony is really friendly and knowledgeable about the wildlife and history of the landscape! We saw the dolphins and seals up close, it was truly a wonderful experience!
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Hi Stella Thank you for joining us yesterday and this fab feedback. It was a pleasure to have you all on board. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
massimom fromItaly wrote on 27 March 2025
Wonderful sail in the nature
Great organization and attention tò the customers
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Thanks so much Massimo. Regards, Mafi and Tony
sashac2 fromNew Zealand wrote on 13 March 2025
Fantastic!
The trip was really special. Being a smaller boat, the group size was kept small. So you had plenty of space to walk around the boat and sightsee without someone getting in the way. Both the captain and skipper were amazing and had in depth knowledge of the area and what wildlife we would encounter. Highly recommend this tour! Especially if you get overwhelmed by crowds. It made the whole experience much more special being in a smaller group.
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Hi Sasha Thank you for joining our tour and this wonderful review. Like you, we prefer an uncrowded boat - it makes the trip so much more enjoyable for everyone. Join us again soon. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
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debbieb14 fromNew Zealand wrote on 03 November 2025
Coast up Close Akaroa
A great experience! Only a few onboard as we set out. Saw seals swimming in the water, a large pod of Hector dolphins swimming with the boat for ages and baby shags in nests..Host was informative and interesting and knew all the local history of the area..Loved the view of layers of lava creating the headlands. Saw where the seals breed and babies learn to swim. Several male seals sre there waiting for the ladies to come home. On our way back, the captain caught a kowhai. 5 seconds to catch and 4 minutes to wind it in. A lovely time, very comfortable boat, easy access to outside and ladder up to top deck. Would recommend!