Enjoy the scenery around Otago Harbour with a scenic wildlife cruise
Sit back and relax as you cruise around Otago Harbour seeing local maritime wildlife in their natural habitat. With Port To Port Cruises & Wildlife Tours you can get up close and personal with a huge variety of native animals, including albatross, penguins, seals, and much more. Our dedicated tour guides are passionate about showing you the best Dunedin has to offer, and provide full commentary during your tour.
Whether you're a local or visiting the area, make the most of this unique experience and book your Dunedin albatross, penguin and wildlife tour now.
Albatross Wildlife and Harbour Cruise
This tour is a must for locals and independent visitors alike. Experience for yourself the unique natural attractions that Dunedin as we give you an in-depth insight into the rare and endangered wildlife, harbour history and the local maritime industry, on our popular Albatross, Wildlife and Harbour Cruise.
In our fully commentated tour, our experienced wildlife tour operators will show you:
Historic Quarantine Stations and old hulks
Fishing boats, workboats, dredges and ships as we pass Port Chalmers and Carey's Bay
Wading birds and look for penguins and shags as we cruise past roosting and feeding areas
Historic pilot's houses, searchlights, gun emplacements and old whaling stations
Taiaroa Head with its shallow bays where you can see fur seals, nesting colonies of shags, albatross and much more
Sometimes we venture further out to sea where we may view oceanic sea birds and marine mammals such as dolphins, sea lions or whales.
This cruise is approximately 2 hours long if joining us from Portobello, or 1.5 hours if joining us from Port Chalmers. Book this cruise online here.
Key information:
Departure:
- Wildlife Tours leave from Portobello Wharf by default, or Port Chalmers by request.
- If you would like to be picked up in Port Chalmers, please specify in the booking notes when booking online.
Timetable:
- Tours leave at various times throughout the day. Please see our full timetable for upcoming departure times.
Other:
- Tour duration is 2 hours from Portobello
- Tour duration is 1.5 hours from Port Chalmers
- There are toilet facilities onboard the boat
- Small tour groups of around 12 people
Tours for Cruise Ship Passengers designed to show you the best of Dunedin
At Port To Port Cruises & Wildlife Tours, we have a range of wildlife cruises to show the best parts of Otago Harbour in a way that fits with your cruise ship timetable. From seals swimming to historic landmarks, our expert crew are here to help you get the most from your tour.
Our most popular tours are below. Most departures leave from the Cruise Ship Terminal building in Port Chalmers, and we plan our trips carefully to ensure you are back to your cruise ship in time. Feel free to get in touch with us to find out which cruise is perfect for you, or book your tour today.
Key information
Departure:
- Most Cruise Ship tours leave from the Cruise Ship Terminal Building. Please do not leave the terminal, as this is where your guide will pick you up for your tour
Timetable:
- Please check your tour departure time and be waiting 15 minutes prior, to ensure you do not miss you tour
Other:
- Most tours include the Albatross, Wildlife and Harbour Cruise. Please check carefully or contact us to book, if unsure
- There are toilet facilities onboard the boat
- Small tour groups of around 12 people
Wildlife & Harbour Tour, with Maritime Museum (5.5 Hours)
On this exciting tour you can enjoy:
- Albatross, Wildlife and Harbour Cruise (1.5 hours)
- A commentated tour of Port Chalmers and the Otago Harbour
- Maritime Museum admission
- Packed afternoon snack
- Shuttle transfer from the Cruise Ship Terminal building at the beginning of your tour and ferry transfer to return you to the finish point, at Back Beach, Port Chalmers.
Departure from: Cruise Ship Terminal building, Port Chalmers.
Departure time: 10am (please be 15 minutes early)
Return: 3:30pm
Please note, there is a flat, easy 5-10 minute walk at the conclusion of the tour to return to your ship from Back Beach wharf, in Port Chalmers. There is also a flat, easy and scenic walk during the Portobello Village visit (400 metres, each way). If walking is a problem for you, please contact us and we can discuss transport options.
Cost: $125 per adult; $75 per child; $40 per infant.
Wildlife & Harbour Tour, with Larnach Castle (6-7 Hours)
On this action-packed tour you can enjoy:
- Albatross, Wildlife and Harbour Cruise (1.5 hours)
- Larnach Castle guided tour
- A commentated tour of Port Chalmers and the Otago Peninsula
- Shuttle transfers to and from the Cruise Ship Terminal building
Departure from: Cruise Ship Terminal building, Port Chalmers.
Departure time: 10am (please be 15 minutes early)
Return: Between 4pm - 5pm
This tour is run in conjunction with the highly regarded Iconic Tours NZ.
Cost: $239 per adult and $119 per child.
Penguin, Albatross and Harbour Highlights Tour (6 Hours)
On this spectacular tour you can enjoy:
- Albatross, Wildlife and Harbour Cruise (1.5 hours)
- A private beach viewing of Yellow-Eyed Penguins and New Zealand Sea Lions
- Otago Peninsula viewing
- A delicious packed lunch
- Shuttle transfers to and from the Cruise Ship Terminal building
Departure from: Cruise Ship Terminal building, Port Chalmers.
Departure time: 10am (please be 15 minutes early)
Return: 4pm
Please note, reasonable fitness and mobility is required for this tour as there is some walking up and down slopes.
This tour is run in combination with the highly regarded Elm Wildlife Tours.
Cost: $267 per adult and $179 per child.
Otago Peninsula Attractions and Ferry (4 Hours)
Join our small group ferry cruise and coach along the Otago Peninsula to visit the Royal Albatross Centre for a guided tour. You'll get a personal connection with our local, expert skipper and guides
- Fully commentated harbour ferry crossing
- See shipwrecks, harbour birds, scenery from our modern custom built vessel
- Coach to the Royal Albatross Centre
- Add a land tour to view albatross nest sites
Departure from: Back Beach Wharf, Port Chalmers (39 Peninsula Beach Road)
Departure time: 11.55am (please be 15 minutes early)
Return: By ferry to Port Chalmers at 4pm (approx)
Some walking is required to and from the wharf. Its a 400m flat, easy and scenic walk and a short hill walk on the tour. The tour departs from Back Beach Wharf, Port Chalmers (39 Peninsula Beach Road), which is a 5-10 minute flat, easy walk from the cruise ship terminal building. Please let us know if you may have difficulty with the walking aspects.
Minimum numbers apply and limited seats.
Cost:
Adults $64, Children $49 without Royal Albatross Centre Tour.
Adults $116, Children $64 with Royal Albatross Centre Tour.
People love our wildlife cruises for the...
- Small groups of around 12 people
- Up close wildlife experience
- Variety of marine wildlife
- Modern facilities on board
- Experienced, knowledgeable guides
- Easily located departure points
- Extras like having binoculars and jackets available
If you have any questions about the sightseeing attractions we offer, contact our wildlife and harbour boat cruise experts today. Otherwise, book your preferred cruise online here.
For an exclusive experience our boat can be booked as a private charter harbour cruise or if you are looking to get from one side of the harbour to the other, book a space on our ferry crossing.