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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
- 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$69.00 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$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$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$69.00 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 222 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
emmar12 from New Zealand wrote on 10 March 2025
Wonderful Akaroa Cruise
Tony and Mafi were excellent guides with local knowledge . We had a wonderful afternoon and saw plenty of Hector dolphins and Fur seals. Thank you 😊
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Hi Emma Thank you for joining us yesterday and this lovely review. We enjoyed meeting you both and hope the rest of your trip goes well. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
maried21 from New Zealand wrote on 05 March 2025
Coast up close
This was such an awesome trip Mafi and Tony were great hosts,Tony was very knowledgeable of all the history and wildlife. It was fantastic to have the dolphins swim beside the boat.,see the small penguins and fur seals also.We learned so much about Akaroa harbour and how it was formed.Thoroughly recommend everyone take a trip with Coast up Close.Have already past it on to friends.Will be back
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Hi Marie Thank you so much for this fab review and recommending. We are looking forward to seeing you back soon. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
Henriette from New Zealand wrote on 26 February 2025
Loved it!
Such a great experience. The skipper really knows the local history and wildlife and the dolphins seem to love his boat :) had an awesome time cruising around the bay and saw loads of wildlife. Perfect afternoon. Would have liked to stay longer.
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Hi Henriette Thank you for joining our cruise and this lovely review. We are happy that you had the perfect afternoon with us and we are looking forward to seeing you again sometime soon. 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😊