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Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Experience a comfortable up-close encounter with some of the most amazing wildlife and stunning coastlines around Akaroa and Banks Peninsula!
Highlights
- Spectacular views of Banks Peninsula and Akaroa!
- See some of the most amazing wildlife in their natural habitats
- Small groups tours make for a more intimate and incredible experience
- Bring your camera for the best wildlife viewing and photo opportunities!
Join us for a wildlife tour that explores the spectacular volcanic coastline and abundant wildlife of Banks Peninsula and Akaroa.
Our wildlife tour numbers are kept limited, offering you a small and intimate tour that will take you where others can’t, with amazing views of New Zealand’s wildlife. Our friendly and knowledgeable crew love meeting and talking with our guests. Tony, a real Kiwi, has been exploring the waters around the Peninsula since the 1960s. He’ll entertain you with his the stories of his adventures and share his enthusiasm for this wonderful environment and stunning wildlife.
Our characterful and comfortable boat - Wairiri, is a 41-foot Kauri Launch built in 1964. Our tours specialise in small groups and enough space to move around the boat for the best wildlife viewing and photo opportunities! On your tour you’ll see gigantic cliffs, go inside sea caves and get close to all the incredible wildlife. Tony often still has a lobster pot out and we pull it up on some of our trips. We never know what we find in it: Lobster, octopus, conger eel, starfish and sand sharks are just a few of the creatures we might have caught.
Experience Akaroa and Banks Peninsula on this intimate boat tour where you’ll see stunning wildlife and extraordinary views of the coastline!
All prices are shown in NZD ($)
- Adult$110.00
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$110.00
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$79.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$69.00
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$69.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$69.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$69.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$79.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$69.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$69.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$69.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
- Adult$69.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$40.00
- Infant Free of Charge
Authenticated Reviews & Photos All of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme
Showing all 229 authenticated Bookme reviews
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Hi Jo-Anna Thank you so much for this amazing 5 star review. it was an absolute pleasure to have your family on board and it always makes us very happy to know people enjoyed their time on the boat with us. All the best and hopefully see you back sometime soon. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
julietteleethatsme from New Zealand wrote on 09 November 2025
Two hours that feel like a whole day’s relaxation
Tony has a lifetime of sea stories to tell and is a keen and thoughful nature observer and guardian. His trips take the time to allow you to experience what it’s like to live on the sea.
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Hi Juliette Thank you for joining us the other day and this five star review. It was lovely to have you on board and we are happy you enjoyed your time out there with us. See you around. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
debbieb14 from New Zealand wrote on 03 November 2025
Coast up Close Akaroa
A great experience! Only a few onboard as we set out. Saw seals swimming in the water, a large pod of Hector dolphins swimming with the boat for ages and baby shags in nests..Host was informative and interesting and knew all the local history of the area..Loved the view of layers of lava creating the headlands. Saw where the seals breed and babies learn to swim. Several male seals sre there waiting for the ladies to come home. On our way back, the captain caught a kowhai. 5 seconds to catch and 4 minutes to wind it in. A lovely time, very comfortable boat, easy access to outside and ladder up to top deck. Would recommend!
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Thank you for you for this fab review. It was lovely to meet you both and we are happy to enjoyed your time out there. Our beautiful backyard has so much to offer. Take care. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
Erica Malloy from New Zealand wrote on 17 April 2025
Wicked Experience
Highly recommend Coast Up Close. Knowledgeable staff who share the history of the region. Fabulous scenery and amazing wildlife.
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Hi Erica Thank you for joining us yesterday and this 5 star review. It was a pleasure to have you all on board and see you again sometime soon. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
Stella Liu from New Zealand wrote on 13 April 2025
Best boat tour ever!
This was a magical experience! It’s the perfect vessel size for a trip around the Akaroa head and harbour, Tony is really friendly and knowledgeable about the wildlife and history of the landscape! We saw the dolphins and seals up close, it was truly a wonderful experience!
From Coast Up Close Scenic Wildlife Tours - 2.5 hours - Akaroa
Hi Stella Thank you for joining us yesterday and this fab feedback. It was a pleasure to have you all on board. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
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jo-anna from New Zealand wrote on 18 November 2025
A Perfect Family Adventure on the Water
We had an amazing experience with Coast Up Close! Tony and Mafi were incredible hosts — warm, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about Akaroa and its wildlife. We saw dolphins, seals, and beautiful coastal scenery, all while learning fascinating history about the area. A special moment for us was when Tony let our daughter steer the boat — you could just see how thrilled she was. He made her day! Coast Up Close exceeded our expectations in every way. If you’re visiting Akaroa and want a genuine, heartfelt, and knowledgeable wildlife cruise, we can’t recommend them highly enough. Thank you, Tony and Mafi, for an incredible adventure and beautiful memories.