Auckland: Whale and Dolphin Watching Half-Day Eco Cruise

4.4  / 5584 reviews
Certified by GetYourGuide
Activity provider:Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari
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Auckland: Whale and Dolphin Watching Half-Day Eco Cruise
Certified by GetYourGuide
Activity provider:Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari
4.4  / 5584 reviews
Likely to sell out

Experience Hauraki Gulf Marine Park on a marine eco-safari from Auckland. Hop onboard a luxury catamaran and look out for orcas and bottlenose dolphins.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Duration 4.5 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Skip the ticket line
Live tour guide
English

Experience

Highlights

  • Explore Auckland’s spectacular Hauraki Gulf Marine Park
  • Experience up-close-and-personal wildlife viewing with marine mammal sightings
  • Make the most of your time in Auckland with an incredibly convenient trip
  • Take in amazing views of Rangitoto Island and the Hauraki Gulf
  • Listen to expert commentary and interact with the marine research scientists

Full description

Climb aboard a 65-foot luxury catamaran conveniently docked in the heart of Auckland. Set sail on the "Dolphin Explorer" to take in the sights and sounds of the city from the water. Enjoy a quick tour past impressive landmarks, such as North Head/Devonport and Rangitoto Island. Keep a close look out for Orca and Bottlenose Dolphins that regularly visit the waters close to the city. Then explore the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. Get up-close viewings of whales, dolphins, and sea birds. The "Dolphin Explorer" is able to get much closer than whale watching operations in other locations. Learn about the fauna via expert commentary from the ship's skipper. When you travel with us, you aren't only experiencing the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, you are helping to regenerate and protect it for the future generations, with a dollar from every ticket bought goes towards the Hauraki Gulf Guardians fund.

Includes

  • 4.5-hour eco-cruise
  • Guide
  • Second cruise if you don't see any marine mammals
  • Food and drinks (available to purchase on board)

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Our boat is at Berth 9, Eastern Viaduct Marina, accessed from the end of Quay Street heading West. This is opposite the Maritime Museum. On arrival look for our crew at the top of our boarding ramp to check in 30 minutes before departure (check-in closes 15 minutes prior to trip time).

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Important information

Not allowed

  • Unaccompanied minors

Know before you go

  • If you don't see any marine mammals, you can take the cruise again for free
  • Please wear warm clothes and bring a showerproof jacket, sun hat and sunscreen, your camera, binoculars, personal medication (if required) and sea-sickness medication (should be taken prior to the trip)
  • This activity is not suitable for heavily pregnant women
  •  Children under 5 years old are permitted on the trip only if they are closely supervised by a parent or guardian
  •  A small range of snacks, hot food, and drinks are available to purchase on board the boat, including beer and wine.
  • In the interest of your safety, the activity provider reserves the right to cancel any trip due to wind, weather, or sea conditions
  • The vessel is not wheelchair accessible, due to stairs and narrow doorways

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.4 /5

based on 584 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.8/5
  • Transportation
    4.7/5
  • Service
    4.4/5
  • Organization
    4.5/5

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J
Jannette – United KingdomMarch 5, 2020  – Verified booking
We booked the afternoon tour for the 27th Feb and turned out to be very lucky as we quickly saw lots of common dolphins. The crew were all excellent at sharing valuable and interesting information. All of which was presented in a good humorous style. They encouraged questions about their research and ocean and mammals. We then were incredibly lucky to see a Brydes whale for a good period of time. Highly recommend this tour, the time passed very quickly and we were very well looked after
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NOELLA – BelgiumFebruary 25, 2020  – Verified booking
Journée magnifique! Nous n’avons pas vu de baleines mais nous avons vu beaucoup de dauphins qui s’amusaient autour du bateau. Nous avons assisté aussi à la «pêche » d’oiseaux de mer. Ils piquaient et plongeaient en faisant de grandes éclaboussures. C’était magique! Nous avons aussi vu une colonie de Fous Australs. Nous avons eu une avarie. L’équipage a fait le nécessaire pour redémarrer mais cela a pris du temps. Certains passagers devaient prendre l’avion à 22h et d’autres à 1h du matin. L’equipage a été à la hauteur. Ils ont averti les gardes-côtes qui sont venus prendre en charge ces passagers. En guise de compensation, chaque personne a reçu un voucher pour refaire cette excursion (voucher nominatif mais illimité dans le temps). L’équipage a vraiment fait son possible pour gérer cette situation inattendue. De vrais professionnels!
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GetYourGuide traveler February 20, 2020  – Verified booking
Experienced informative crew. Saw plenty of dolphins in their natural element at close quarters. No whales as e were told really wrong time of year so no 5 star. Wear sun hats, sun cream and watch out for the wash from bows when they dig in. Listen and learn from the crew.
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Product ID: 53125

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