Overview
Available languages
2 hours 45 minutes
Mobile ticket
Our tours numbers are kept limited, offering you a small and intimate tour that will take you where others can't with amazing views of New Zealands wildlife. Our friendly and knowledgeable crew love meeting and talking with our guests, and Scruffy our friendly boat dog, joins us on our afternoon trips. Tony, a real Kiwi, has been exploring the waters around Banks Peninsula since the 1960s. He'll entertain you with the stories of his adventures and share his enthusiasm for this wonderful environment and stunning wildlife.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Akaroa
Explore Akaroa Harbour and coast with local skipper and owner Tony. He has a real wealth of knowledge and will give you entertaining insights into the wildlife, history and geology of our beautiful backyard.
Options
Christmas Day
Akaroa Wildlife Cruise
What‘s Included
All Fees and Taxes
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
109 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A great day out in Akaroa!
Nancy M,Mar 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Everything on the website is true, small groups, an amazing guide Tony with knowledge and enthousiasme! We were lucky and saw all the wildlife as: seals, dolphins, a pinguïn, albatros… Absolute an amazing boattrip!!!
Great afternoon out.
W9986JNchristinen,Mar 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very enjoyable by local boatie. He went close to rocks which large companies can’t do. A pleasant operator.
Excellent boat trip!
Rachel D,Mar 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great to be on a smaller boat with only a few other guests, and with really knowledgeable and friendly skipper(s) in Tony & Mafi. Their personal approach to describing local history, geology and wildlife made for a unique trip. We saw Hector’s Dolphins, Fur Seals, Albatrosses and Penguins as well as getting up close to fascinating coastal features. A very memorable experience - would choose it every time over the bigger mass market boat operators.
A must do
H8426DHkarens,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing cruise with a very experienced captain. Well worth it. You get close to the cathedral crater, close to wildlife and the Hecter dolphins come to play with the boat. Tony has vast local knowledge, covering local history too. Don’t delay, Tony is threatening to retire one day. Thank you Tony. We loved your cruise.
Best option
Q4095LXmarlong,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I chose this charter since it was a much better value than the Black Cat tours and seemed like a smaller more personal tour and I wasn't disappointed. Our group of 4 was joined by another group of 4, for 8 customers total, and our two guides provided an engaging and informed tour of the bay, spotting dozens of Hector Dolphins and seals, a few penguins, many birds, and we got to see a lobster(crayfish?), a starfish, and an octopus when the captain serviced a baited trap. Highly recommend!
Sensational!
E6180HCcharlotteg,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A group of us went out with Tony and Mafi on Thursday and had a sensational trip! Penguins, dolphins (jumping!), baby NZ fur seals in a rock pool (too cute to be true) and interesting geology. Tony is incredibly knowledgable on local history and wildlife. We sat on the top deck and loved every minute.
Really see the coast up close!
Trail53051782277,Feb 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An amazing experience! We were taken out to sea to really see the coast up close! Beautiful rock formations, vulcanic cliffs, caves, seals and of course…..dolphins!! The owners were passionate and knowledgeable about the area. Highly recommended! They also organise fishing trips which I put on my list for next time we’re in Akaroa.
Great Tour with a Smaller Group
Dreamer814642,Feb 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Héctor Dolphins! I loved this boat tour. Captain Tony knows this harbor and coastline like the back of his hand. He was an great guide and very friendly. Coast Up Close offers small group tours so we did not have to jostle for space to see the Hector Dolphins ride the bow wave. I learned a lot from Tony about the history, geology, and wildlife in the area. I highly recommend this tour.
Excellent boat trip.
philipjS5168NW,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very good trip on the boat. We saw quite a few of the Hectors dolphins in the bay. On the coast outside the bay there were quite a number of seals on the rocky slopes, including young pups. Crew were very knowledgeable which made the excursion interesting.
Great experience!
M4393FHnicholaso,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour! Mafi and Tony are both friendly and highly experienced, Tony has incredible knowledge of not only the wildlife but of Akaroa and the surrounds, which he was more than happy to share. They also let the dolphins come to them, which is much less intrusive than many of the other tours that target them. Thank you both!
Related Experiences
Operated by Coast up Close