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Small-Group Dunedin Wildlife Cruise
Dunedin & The Otago Peninsula, New Zealand
From $104.78
Select Date and Travelers
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
- 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Be amazed by the abundance of wildlife so close to Dunedin city on this small-group cruise in Otago Harbour. Board at Port Chalmers or Portobello and enjoy the comfort of a small boat with indoor and outdoor seating areas. Look out for penguins, sea lions, and shags, as well as heritage sites in the harbor. Choose from late-morning, early afternoon, or late-afternoon departures to suit your schedule.
- The cruise lasts from 90 to 120 minutes
- Learn more about local wildlife with live commentary
- Binoculars and warm jackets will be provided
- Boats are equipped with restrooms for your comfort
What's Included
- Restroom on board
- Binoculars and jackets
- Wildlife information sheets
- Snacks
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting points
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End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- We depart a 5-10 minute easy walk, from cruise ship terminal building, Port Chalmers.
- We do not offer transport from Cruise building. Passengers need to make their own way, a flat easy 5-10 minute walk.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
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Reviews
5.0
75 reviews
Sherry_U, Apr 2024
Our host/captain, Rachel, gave us an enjoyable and very informative trip on this cruise. We saw plenty of wildlife, and appreciated Rachel ‘s knowledge of the wildlife and region. Rachel’s experience, knowledge, and enthusiasm for this trip was truly amazing and made the morning so enjoyable. We feel very fortunate to have seen so much wildlife on this trip.
Clare_R, Apr 2024
Very informative tour. Rachael was well informed and made sure we saw as much wildlife as possible in the time.
Mark_S, Mar 2024
The arrangement via viator was well organized. Rachel, the captain, was on time and very personable and gave a great tour. She also provided us with a great photo sheet with all the possible birds and animals that could be observed in the area and we were able to check off quite a few of them seeing them first hand. We really appreciated the attention to detail by Rachel who contacted us and provided us better planning options for us to meet her at a better location which saved us considerable time and money.
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you!!! I really love this title!
It definitely made me smile!
And you are so welcome! Some people dont know we can leave from two different places, for the same tour.
It was my pleasure to help you with that:)
And to have you join me:)
Many thanks again for your review and compliments:)
Rachel
William_S, Mar 2024
An excellent tour. Saw lots of native spicies. The penguins and black swans were the highlight. Would go again.
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you so much for this!
Thats the ultimate compliment right there! That you'd go again:)
Many thanks, I really appreciate it.
Hopefully I will see you again sometime:)
All the best:)
Rachel
Lou_B, Mar 2024
Very enjoyable trip. Our guide was very knowledgeable and had a keen eye for pointing out wildlife. We saw albatross, black swans, seal pups, and many other birds. I highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you so much for this! Your review means alot and the description helps other know what to expect when booking with me.
Many thanks:)
Rachel:)
Suzanne_W, Mar 2024
Fantastic! Small vessel with awesome captain Rachel. She has an eagle eye for rare birds and sea loins. We were lucky, and saw several species of albatross up close and personal. Soldiers of the sea. Rachel is all-in, enthusiastic and makes you feel like you are her first customer, even though she has been this for many years.
PS. Thanks for looking after small creatures. (Our hooked seagull.) Good karma.
Response from Host, May 2024
Oh thanks for this! And for mentioning the seagull!
An update on that, the wildife hospital was not able to respond straight away to the call, so after travelling with me for abit on the boat, I was given permission by the wildlife hospital and the Department of Conservation to remove the fishhook from its beak and chest myself. Which my son, Ashley, and I did pretty quickly and easily and without too much further distress to the bird. The seagull was released and seemed to be healthy and happy otherwise. It stood around for abit, we offered it bread, and eventually it went away on its own accord:)
Thank you for being part of that:)
And for your lovely review and Recommendation:)
Rachel:)
Katherine_S, Mar 2024
Rachel was a great with a multitude of wildlife information. Very enjoyable cruise. We also had great weather for cruising.
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you so much for this!
Im happy to hear ypou enjoyed it and even better that the weather played ball!
Thanks again
Rachel:)
Rachel_D, Mar 2024
This cruise is great, lots of wildlife to see. We were lucky enough to see a Blue Penguin and many Royal Albatross'. Rachel is a great, professional and very informative captain and guide. Don't hesitate booking this trip, it was a highlight of our trip to Dunedin and Port Chalmers. Thanks :)
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you! Wow! Thats quite the compliment!
I really appreciate your review and compliments! Thank you for joining me:)
Rachel:)
Robert_B, Feb 2024
Trip was great. We saw sea lions, seals, two different kind of albatross, both flying and up close on the water as well as numerous other birds. Rachel was great in getting us close. The ride was fast so we were able to get to the open ocean quicker than the larger boats.
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you so much for this!
Im glad you enjoyed my fast and nimble 'Sootychaser' as much as I do!
Im so happy you had such a great trip with me:)
Thanks so much:)
Rachel
John_S, Feb 2024
It was an amazing experience. At one point we counted seven albatross off the side of the boat, some swimming within a few meters of us.
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you so much for this!
We were very lucky!
Thank you so much for joining me and for this review:)
Rachel
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Small-Group Dunedin Wildlife Cruise
75
2 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$104.78
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