Enjoy the Scenery around Otago Harbour with a Scenic Dunedin 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 extensive tour of the harbour and local wildlife is a must for locals and independent visitors. Experience for yourself the unique natural attractions that Dunedin offers, 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 professionally commentated tour, our experienced wildlife tour operators can show you:
Northern Royal Albatross in their breeding area, Taiaroa Head.
We look to their nesting and courting areas above us, on the headland. But also on the sea, as the sea is where they spend most of their lives. We are usually lucky enough to see more than just one species of albatross on the water, as other speciaes of albatross regularly visit the area too.
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 we look 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:
- Port To Port Wildlife Tours leave from Portobello Wharf, or from Port Chalmers, returning to the same location afterwards
- They are approx 1.5 in duration from Port Chalmers or 2 hours in duration if from Portobello.
Timetable:
- Please see our full timetable for upcoming departure times. Bookings are essential.
Other:
- There are toilet facilities nearby at the wharves, please plan to use these before the departure time so you are ready to board the boat on time. Or a bathroom available onboard the boat.
- Small tour groups of approx 12 -14 people
Cruise Ship Passenger Excursion
We welcome you onboard to join our small group cruises!
You will find us a flat and easy 5-10 minute walk (past the logging yards) from the Cruise ship Terminal Building, Port Chalmers. You will receive exact meeting instructions on your booking confirmation.
For last minute bookings please call 020 416 24250.
Or email or book online for prior bookings.
If you need to cancel, we usually require 36 hours notice by email or phone call. If your ship cannot make it into Port, please let us know as soon as possible by calling or email and we will usually help you with a refund or credit even within shorter notice periods. This is not guaranteed and will be at our discretion. If you have questions about this please feel free to get in touch. Usually we would refund you 80% in the event your ship does not make it into port. The rest withheld (20%) is for admin costs and staff costs in launching the boat in preparation to meet you!
We currently do not offer private cruise ship passenger experiences. You will be joining the locals and other travellers on our normal sailing times:
1.) Albatross, Wildlife and Harbour Cruise
PRICES
Adults $135
Children $75
Infants $35
(Plus up to 3% in each booking and credit card fees)
TIMES
10:10am Oct-April
1:25pm Regular sailing summer and winter
4:10pm Oct-April
From 39 Peninsula Beach Road, Port Chalmers.
Please join us form outside the Port Chalmers Yacht Club buildling, at one of the floating pontoons, below the carpark.
BOOK WILDLIFE CRUISE-NEAR CRUISE SHIP TERMINAL
2.) Larnach Castle, Wildlife Cruise and City Exploring
The complete Dunedin Tour! We've aced it with this option! Even if we do say so ourselves!
This one of a kind tour includes three top attractions in Dunedin. Do them all on this time efficient and memorable Dunedin ship excursion. We even offer a complimentary and optional visit to Glenfalloch Woodlands Gardens just before the Dunedin City drop off. (Decide on the day if you want to do it).
Albatross and other Wildlife, Larnach castle, Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens, Otago Peninsula views and fll commentary and Dunedin City drop off, for free time.
We depart close to the cruise ship terminal building. Approx 3.5 hours, with free time for shopping in Dunedin afterwards.
The tour starts with a wildife cruise to see albatross, seals, sea birds and much more. Sometimes penguins and sea lions can be seen.
Then a scenic ferry direct to the Otago Peninsula. Take in beautiful coastal views on the way and be entertained by an informative commentary on the way.
At Portobello, Otago Peninsula, you will meet a shuttle coach which will transport you up the winding an scenic road to the top of the hill, for your visit to the majestic Larnach Castle.
After exploring the castle and its gardens, the shuttle bus will show the main points of interest in Dunedin City. There is an optional and complimentary stop at the famous Glenfalloch Woodlands Gardens for a walk or refreshments in the scenic cafe, before dropping you off in Dunedin City to explore or shop at your own leisure.
Commentary along the way on the wildife cruise, ferry and the coach.
This is best of everything that Dunedin has to offer, in a few hours and because of the ferry transport directly across to Otago Peninsula, its also without doubling back, which save you valuable time and adds to the experience.
If you want less time, or a later start, book this option with out the wildlife cruise. (Bookable online under Scenic Ferry, larnach Castle and City Exploring.)
BOOK WILDLIFE, LARNACH AND CITY EXPLORING
3.) FERRY to the OPERA (Otago Peninsula Eco-Restoration Alliance) for a eco experience on the land.
Departs by FERRY from Back Beach, Port Chalmers to go to Portobello at 9:30am. The OPERA staff will meet you at Portobello when you depart the ferry, for land transport to their private eco reserve and a wildlife tour to see penguins, seals, forest birds and more. You may also see the rare Yellow Eyed Penguins who live here and are cared for here when sick or injured, to be released into the wild. Return to Port Chalmers by ferry by 1:00pm.
Please contact the OPERA directly to book, as this the tour is an OPERA product. They will assist you and book the ferry with our company, for you.
4.) Cycle Ferry and Cycle Loop (self guided)
Hire a bike and hop on the original Dunedin Port To Port Bike Ferry to complete the Otago Harbour Loop!
The Loop takes approx 3 hours to cycle around (includes ferry). Allow more time to stop for photos or refreshments along the way.
Mostly flat, paved and scenic! Its Dunedins best kept cycling secret!
Get outdoors and explore the harbour like a local!
Depart from Port Chalmers by ferry at 9:30am, 11:50am or 12:55pm then cycle back.
Or go the other way and cycle from Port Chalmers to Otago Peninsula to start, then meet the Port To Port Bike Ferry at Portobello at 12:35pm, 1:15pm or 3:15pm and to finish in Port Chalmers.
Bookings are essential!!
PRICES for Bike Ferry (One person and a bike, one way)
Adults $35
Children $25 (ages 3-15 years)
Includes taking a manual or ebike, each person. Does NOT include the bike hire! Please see www.dunedincycleway.co.nz for options. Some will deliver directly to Port Chalmers (Dunedin Ibike Hire).
(Plus up to 3% in each booking and credit card fees)
TIMES
(Check with us or click BOOK NOW to view times as there are many options throughout the day.
BOOKINGS REQUIRED
From Port Chalmers or Portobello
Or contact us to book
info@porttoport.co.nz
Minimum numbers may be required to sail.
Please also see FERRY timetable for Ferry transfers to Otago Peninsula.
People love our wildlife cruises for the...
- Experience! Rachel has been conducting wildlife tours and working on the Otago Harbour for 20 years +.
- Small groups of around 12 - 14 people for wildife crusies. For ferry up to 20 people at a time
- Up close wildlife experiences
- Professional and high energy commentary.
- Variety of marine wildlife
- Modern bathroom facilities on board
- Quality PA system for broadcasted commentary.
- Sheltered boat with heated cabin
- Easily located departure points
- Extras, like having quality binoculars available to use. Wildlife sheets to keep and take home.
For an exclusive experience our boat can be booked as a private charter harbour cruise.