Otago Peninsula Wildlife Tour & Cruise

Overview

Available languages

German

Chinese

English

Italian

French

Spanish

6 hours 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

Nature and wildlife enthusiasts will love the Peninsula Encounters + Wildlife Cruise. This tour enjoys unrivalled access to remote locations and rare animals. You'll visit a variety of beautiful locations on the Otago Peninsula and see the Otago Harbour during a special Wildlife Cruise. Your guide will give a personalised commentary throughout the tour and help you spot Royal Albatross, Fur Seals, Sea Lions and Yellow-eyed Penguins.

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

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Complimentary binoculars and warm waterproof jackets

Guided Otago Peninsula tour by air-conditioned vehicle

GST (Goods and Services Tax)

1-hour Monarch Wildlife Cruise

Live commentary from local guide

Meals or drinks (please bring a packed lunch)

What To Expect

Otago Peninsula

Enjoy a scenic drive across the beautiful roads of the Otago Peninsula. Take in the stunning views of the coast and harbour whilst your guide gives a full commentary.

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable

Allans Beach

Take a short walk from the minivan to one of NZ's top beaches. You'll be treated to dramatic coastal scenery and offshore islands. Keep an eye out for the impressive NZ Sea Lions.

1 hour • Admission Included

Options

Otago Peninsula Wildlife Tour & Cruise

Pickup included

Reviews

4.74

53 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Best experience
Donna C,
Sep 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
A truly spectacular tour. Our guide was amazing and we were fortunate to encounter seals, sea lions and penguins. Highly recommended.
Much depends on your luck
Passenger10324027911,
Aug 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00
Well this was an average experience. I understand wildlife encounters are not under anybody's control but mildly disappointed. The guide was excellent. There was no food provided. We saw some birds , some seals and albatrosses. Hoped to see yellow-eyed penguins and sealions . Didn't. There were a few blue eyed penguins in their nests. So caught a partial glimpse. They take you to allens beach , wildlife cruise and then to penguin conservation centre.
Fantastic Tour and Tour Guide
Susan M,
Aug 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Our tour guide, Will, was wonderful! He was friendly, happy, and easy to get along with. He was more than happy to answer any questions anyone had. You can tell that he is very knowledgeable about the wildlife in the area, as is he about the geography and history in the area. Will loves his job and the little (and big) wild friends that we got to encounter! We felt safe and happy in Wills hands. The tour itself was really good as well. At no point did we feel rushed. Things were at a great pace, and covered a wide range of sites throughout the day. We especially enjoyed getting to see the different types of Albatross - which, to be honest, I didn’t think I would care much about but other peoples excitement and enthusiasm seeing them made me realise how cool it really is! Nigel and Dan (dave?) on the cruise were also delightful - both very knowledgeable and genuinely excited to be showing us their sea-friends. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone who is looking for a lovely day out to see some actual wildlife.
Great wildlife experience
vickimarney,
Jul 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
Good value for money. Had a great day, our guide was wonderful. Had a great encounter with wildlife albatross, fur seal, sea lion, yellow eyed penguins
Peninsula Encounters + wildlife Cruise
ashleysM6557HW,
Jul 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
My wife and I had the pleasure of joining the Peninsula Encounters Wildlife Cruise in Dunedin, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. Our guide William from Monarch tours Dunedin provided insightful commentary about the diverse wildlife, including albatrosses, seals, and penguins. The scenic coastline and stunning ocean views added to the magic of the cruise. The crew's passion for conservation and wildlife was evident throughout the journey. If you're a nature lover or just looking for a unique experience I highly recommend Peninsula Encounters with
Such a cool experience
abbykJ2450KO,
Jun 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I had a great time on this tour! The views and wildlife were amazing. We even got lucky and saw a yellow-eyed penguin! Also shout out to my tour guide Rob who was amazing! He was so sweet and I loved all of his fun facts! Definitely would recommend!
Excellent tour of New Zealand wildlife
bethmK5717RE,
May 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The wildlife cruise was a highlight of my trip to New Zealand. Our tour guide was informative and enthusiastic. We saw sea lions and even had one try to get up close and personal! We saw albatross, blue penguins, and even spotted a yellow headed penguin on its way back to its nest!!
Must do!
ricardobravolopez,
Apr 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Very enthusiastic and passionate personnel. The views are incredible and the animals seen are incredible. Tim is the best guide, he made the experience incredible
A brilliant tour with abundant sightings of wildlife and an excellent guide.
nigelbB9416YB,
Mar 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A fantastic tour with a brilliant guide. First of all we visited some bays with abundant shore birds then a beautiful wild beach in search of sea lions and seals of which we saw some. Then the cruise with fantastic views of the albatrosses and seals. Finally, we visited a hospital for penguins and then did a walk and saw some in the wild.
Wonderful experience - great to see nature being supported
Sue L,
Mar 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We did the self drive combination. The team were very helpful and knowledgeable. The work being done simply supports nature and provides a great glimpse into the wonders.