Seal Coast Safari - Exclusive access to Wellington's secret coast

Overview

Available languages

English

3 hours 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

A unique and exciting exploration to Wellington’s secret coast. With exclusive access through private farmland, we'll take you on a journey to discover Wellington's natural wonders in an area unknown even to many locals. Only 20km from the city, this area will feel like another world.

Travelling in new 4WD Mercedes vehicles, you'll see a working farm with sheep, cows and goats, while enjoying stunning views of the Cook Strait, South Island and Kaikoura Ranges. Once down to sea-level, we’ll meet some much-loved locals – New Zealand Fur Seals. Enjoy morning/afternoon tea while observing these amazing animals as they sunbathe, play, and swim while learning about their history, ecology, and conservation from your friendly and knowledgeable guide. The Seal Coast Safari is a must-do for anyone who loves nature, wildlife, and adventure. Join us and discover one of Wellington’s best-kept secrets!

Route is along rough terrain requiring 4WD. Not suitable for people with neck or back injuries.

Additional Info

Specialized infant seats are available

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Not recommended for travelers with neck problems

Cancellation Policy

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

What‘s Included

Proud partner of the Capital Kiwi conservation project

Exclusive access to private farmland with stunning views

See Wellington's hidden gems that even most locals don't know about

Pick up and drop off available direct from cruise ships - we've never missed a drop off

Travel in style and comfort with our new fleet of 4WD Mercedes

NZ Fur Seals in their stunning natural environment

Owned and operated by passionate nature lovers

Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Otari-Wilton's Bush Native Botanic Garden

We begin our journey at Otari-Wilton’s Bush - one hundred hectares of ancient and regenerating forest and New Zealand’s only botanical garden dedicated solely to native plants. Designated a six-star Garden of International Significance by the New Zealand’s Gardens Trust of the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture, Otari-Wilton’s Bush allows us to introduce you to what the landscape of New Zealand was like for early Maori and European settlers. Walking across the skybridge, you will be treated to views across the canopy while your friendly and knowledgeable guide introduces you to some of the unique flora and fauna endemic to this country and the challenges they have faced to survive. We regularly see beautiful native bird species like Tui, Kaka, Kakariki, Kereru and, occasionally, Karearea, all of which were extinct or endangered in the Wellington region only 25 years ago.

30 minutes • Admission Included

Next, we carry on through the suburbs and towards the south coast. Turning off the main road, we utilise our private access through Terawhiti Station, one of the oldest and largest stations in New Zealand. We’ll likely see sheep, cows and goats on the drive up the hill, before being treated to stunning views across the Cook Strait, Kaikoura Ranges and the South Island once we reach the top. We then follow the ridgeline road that was created for the imposing Project West Wind – a 62 turbine strong wind farm that generates enough electricity to power all the houses in the Wellington region. This city is known as Windy Welly for a reason! Your guide will explain how this collaboration was essential in keeping the farming operation going in what are challenging and harsh conditions and added another chapter to the long, storied history of Terawhiti.

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Included

Options

Seal Coast Safari alternate

Pickup included

Seal Coast Safari

Pickup included

Reviews

4.90

281 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

258

Highlight of Trip for Two Californians
LMoranAptos CA,
Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Exceptional! Our guide, Sara, was a delight—she knew Wellington PLUS, she actually lives on the ranch. A week into our trip to this gorgeous country, I was dying to see some mammals. While this excursion is called the “Seal Coast Safari,” its real value is access to a huge private sheep and cattle ranch (station). It is amazing to see sheep, cattle, and wild goats thriving on STEEP, gorse-covered grazing land overlooking 3 bays. The sheep are a British breed that molts, so expensive shearing is unnecessary. The lambs are beautiful, but the adults look pretty sad in the spring! The wild goats keep the invasive gorse at bay and scamper across the steep hills at the sound of a vehicle. These animals live as perfect a life as any creatures raised for food could want. We also saw paradise ducks, huge hares, and hawks. Because of an agreement between the ranch owners and a power company, the erection of 62 windmills and the resulting gravel roads needed to maintain them, the ranch has survived despite fluctuations in the value of wool and mutton. It is a perfect example of cooperation between a massive energy company taking advantage of a renewable resource without destroying the environment and allowing a humane farming operation to continue. Yes, there are a few seals (just a couple of oldsters and the young dudes because it was mating season) but touring the farm is just—amazing.
Amazing Seal Coast Safari Experience
Chandni P,
Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Me and my husband had an incredible time on the Seal Coast Safari tour. We loved the exciting ride and the stunning views of the mountains and coastline. Watching the seals up close was an unforgettable experience, and we also enjoyed learning about the native trees and bush along the way. Our tour guides were amazing very kind, knowledgeable, and made the whole journey even better. Thank you for such a wonderful and memorable experience!
Lovely way to spend a day!
michelek281,
Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
What a nice day in nature! Perfectly timed tour left enough of the day to wander about town a bit but spent time with the seals and on the beautiful farm. Sara was very knowledgeable and quite entertaining! Would recommend.
Excellent tour
Marguerite K,
Nov 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Marc is great fun. Excellent sense of humour. Vistas are amazing. It’s special to see the fur seals.
Amazing Seal Tour
Demetrio A,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Fabulous experience on the Seal tour. Our hosts Sara and Grant were terrific. They were very knowledgeable and so fun during this experience. The ride was exciting getting to see beyond the city of Wellington to the coast where the seals are located and then to the botanical gardens. Sara drove with experience and safety. We definitely would recommend this tour. Thank you for the experience!!
Both guides Sarah and Hamish were very sympathetic and gave a lot of information.
AyseTuna,
Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I loved that the distance to the animals was respected and yet you could observe the animals up close.
Flora and fauna along the coast
Gary P,
Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00
Good overview of the local flora and fauna. Short drives between the two spots on the tour agenda Fun to see the seals Comfortable coaches
The best Sunday trip ever
Jozefa F,
Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
This trip is perfect for everyone, young and old, or people like me with limited mobility. Sarah at Viator could not have done anymore to ensure everyone had an amazing time.
A surprisingly wonderful ride
sydur r,
Nov 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I took this ride at the last hour. I was confused how my quick decision is going to be. But it was worth it. Their management and tour guide and driver was awesome. They even tried to help le after the tour by giving me suggestions what can i do next. And the tour itself was wonderful. Their ride is very neat and capable. And the path they use is very unique to themselves only. U mist try it i will say
Seal colony
Shelley F,
Sep 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
It was great to see an amazing part of the Wellington area that not many have the opportunity to experience. We loved the bush land and the wild coast with it's sunbathing seals. Hamish was an awesome and knowledgeable guide. Highly recommend this trip.