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Wildlife Cruises and Larnach Castle Excursions
Scenic Ferry and Wildlife Cruises

  • Port to Port Skipper and Owner Rachel

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Albatross, Wildlife And Harbour Cruise

and Larnach Castle Cruise Excursions

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 and experienced tour guides are passionate about showing you the best Dunedin has to offer, and provide full commentary during your tour. 

If you are travelling by cruise ship, we have designed a package just for you. Combine your wildife cruise with a visit to Larnach Castle and Dunedin City.

Starting in Port Chalmers near the cruise terminal ( a 10 minute walk) you will depart the boat on Otago Penuisula after your wildife cruise to meet the coach. This saves valuable time allowing you to do more, in less time. There is an optional and complimentary stop at Glenfalloch Woodlands Gardens and then a Dunedin City drop off all included. See below for more details.

Wildlife Cruise Booking

Albatross, Wildife And Harbour Cruise

Whether you're a local or visiting the area, make the most of this unique experience and book our award winning  Albatross, Wildlife And Harbour Cruise Northern Royal Albatross at Taiaroa Head

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This is a must-do experience for locals and independent visitors wanting to discover the incredible wildlife, history and working harbour of Dunedin.

Step aboard for a fully guided cruise through Otago Harbour to Taiaroa Head and the Royal Albatross colony. Along the way, our experienced skipper and wildlife guide shares fascinating stories about the rare and endangered wildlife, harbour history and local maritime industry.

Keep an eye out for:

  • Royal albatross, shags and other seabirds
  • Other species of visiting albatross species
  • Fur seals and other marine wildlife
  • Blue Penguins
  • Sea lions
  • Sometimes/occasionally dolphins
  • Fishing boats, workboats, dredges and ships
  • Historic quarantine stations and old harbour hulks
  • Historic pilot houses, searchlights, gun emplacements and former whaling sites
  • Taiaroa Head, nature reserve
  • Views of Otago harbour and Otago Peninsula
  • Occasionally we may encounter oceanic seabirds or whales.

When conditions allow, we may venture further offshore, where you could 

Cruise approximately 2 hours from Portobello or 1.5 hours from Port Chalmers.

Small-group cruising • Expert local commentary • Wildlife • History • Spectacular Otago Harbour scenery

 

Key information:

Departure:

  • Wildlife Tours leave from Portobello Wharf, Otago Peninsula or Port Chalmers.
  • Cruise passengers make their own way to meet us at 39 Peninsula Beach Road, Port Chalmers. A short, flat walk from cruise terminal building. 

Timetable:

  • See timetable page for departure times, which are up to three times daily form either location.

Other: 

  • Tour duration is 2 hours from Portobello
  • Tour duration is approx 1.5 hours from Port Chalmers
  • There are toilet facilities onboard the boat
  • Small tour groups of around 12 people
Back Beach Wharf - Port Chalmers
Portobello Wharf

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Wildlife Cruise, Larnach Castle and City Exploring

 

Larnach Castle

See the best of Dunedin in one unforgettable shore excursion!

Start with a scenic wildlife cruise on Otago Harbour to the Royal Albatross colony, looking for royal albatross, fur seals, seabirds, sometimes Blue Penguins and New Zealand Sea Lions. The cruise is approximately 2 hours.

Then cross Otago Harbour by ferry to the Otago Peninsula and continue by coach to Larnach Castle & Gardens, with just over 2 hours to explore.

Enjoy spectacular harbour and Peninsula views, local commentary and an optional complimentary stop at Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens before continuing into Dunedin City.

This unique ferry and coach combination helps save time and avoids doubling back, allowing you to experience wildlife, Larnach Castle, Glenfalloch Gardens and Dunedin City in one comprehensive cruise ship excursion.

Small group tours, personal service, fully commentary.

10:00am departure | Small groups, 2–22 passengers | Central Dunedin drop-off

Cruise ship passengers should arrange their own return to the Port Chalmers cruise terminal. Your driver will show you where the cruise ship shuttle buses depart from central Dunedin.

 

Key information

Departure:

  • Passengers join us at Port Chalmers, Back Beach. A flat and easy 10 minute walk from cruise ship terminal building, port Chalmers. 

Timetable:

  • Please check your tour departure time and be waiting 15 minutes prior, to ensure you do not miss you tour.
  • We provide binoculars and wildlife sheets onboard the board.
  • Please bring a warm jacket just incase. However the cabin is usally warm and the afterdeck is partially sheltered

Other: 

  • We can take fold up walkers only-please advise or ask on booking. We cannot take wheelchairs or scooters.
  • There are toilet facilities onboard the boat
  • Small tour groups of around 12 people
Back Beach Wharf

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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 wildlife sheets 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.