Enjoy having the boat to yourself with a private Dunedin harbour cruise
Do you fancy having the boat and guide to yourself? Get a group together for a work function, celebratory event, themed occasion or just for fun, and booking your own private boat charter. Booking your own harbour cruise can be an exciting way to spend the day with your family, friends, or keep the kids entertained during the school holidays.
Want to see penguins in their natural habitat? No problem. Want to explore local cafes and pubs around the area? We've got you covered. We can help tailor your experience to create the perfect cruise for you.
The vessel, MV Sootychaser offers exceptional viewing opportunities, has a heated cabin and provides modern bathroom facilities. It is surveyed for a maximum of 20 passengers, making it perfect for small to medium groups. Port To Port Cruises & Wildlife Tours has a liquor license and sells cold beverages onboard. Bring your own food or let us supply it. Professional, in-house photography packages are available on request.
Private translators can be organised for non-english speaking groups. Specialist guides (i.e. science, historians) can also be arranged at minimal extra cost.
Secure your booking online to arrange a ferry from Portobello to Port Chalmers, a private wildlife tour or another spectacular sightseeing tour. If you would like to discuss your booking further, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.
Check out some of our top private boat tour ideas..
Private wildlife charters and Pelagic cruises
On one of our wildlife tours your group can see fur seals, albatross and marine animals in the privacy and comfort of having the boat entirely to yourself. Let us arrange a delicious packed lunch for you to enjoy on board. Alternatively, we can drop you off for a meal at Carey's Bay after the cruise and pick you up later in the day so you have time to explore the area.
Our wildlife tour operators can design a package to suit everybody on your private tour. For an unforgettable experience, you can combine your boat trip with a shore-based activity such as visiting the wetlands, tidal inlets or Larnach Castle. To venture even further off the coast, add on our Pelagic offshore trip option.
There are toilet facilities onboard, and food and beverages can be available by arrangement.
Contact us to find out your options and book your tour on your preferred date.
Enjoy the local harbourside pubs and restaurants
Enjoy refreshments on board as you cruise between locations and take in the beautiful scenery of Otago Harbour, before heading to your chosen restaurant or pub. There are so many great Harbourside locations to visit, and we can organise to pick you up and drop you off at different locations throughout the day. We always recommend visiting the historic Carey's Bay Hotel during your tour, and having a snack by the water.
You can either fit in with our scheduled ferry timetable, or request alternative pick up times.
Visit Quarantine Island
Quarantine Island/Kamau Taurua is jointly managed by The Quarantine Island/Kamau Taurua Community and the Department of Conservation. Visit Quarantine Island for a day, or stay overnight as there is plenty to explore. You can experience old hulks of ships, historic quarantine stations, a quaint chapel, stunning scenery and nesting birds. Bring your family and a picnic.
When visiting Quarantine Island, please be respectful of guests who are using the lodge and do not enter unless you have organised an overnight stay. There are bathroom facilities available and shelter in the historic married couples quarters and chapel, in the event of rain during your visit. Donations to the community group can be made on the Island and help to cover costs of maintenance and use of the facilities. Please remember to take away all rubbish with you.
School holiday cruises and excursions for children
Port To Port Cruises & Wildlife Tours offers themed holiday cruises for children including our Ice Cream Cruise, Harbour Workboat Cruise, Crazy Animals Harbour Cruise and much more. Prices are very competitive so local families can enjoy Otago Harbour and its inhabitants. The commentary and cruise are tailored to your group. Children's cruises are from 25 minutes to an hour.
Interested in a school excursion? Visit Quarantine Island, see the creatures and touch tanks at the Portobello Marine Studies Centre, experience a Mini Tour of the Otago Harbour or a transfer between Ports to explore the shoreline.
Have an upcoming work do and need some inspiration?
What better way to spend your work party then out cruising on Otago Harbour. We've collected some of our best work do ideas below, and are happy to discuss any options further. Just give us a call.
Hearty fish and chip cruise
Join us on a Fish and Chip Cruise from Portobello or Port Chalmers. Savour your own parcel of fresh chips and your choice of other hot food and a cold beverage while you enjoy the beautiful scenery and interesting aspects of the Otago Harbour. You'll be treated to a commentary on volcanic history, shipwrecks and ship graveyards, Carey's Bay and the shipping movements on the harbour.
Dinner, drinks and wildlife cruise
Take a step back and enjoy an evening wildlife viewing at Taiaroa Head - see albatross, seals and keep an eye out for penguins. Enjoy alcoholic beverages and snacks onboard while we cruise. Then finish up at the historic Carey's Bay Hotel for a meal, before being transferred back to Dunedin by shuttle at the end of your evening.