Wildlife activities in Pacific
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Night Vision Walks
See nocturnal animals in their natural habitat.
reviewed
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Elm Wildlife Tours
Small-group tours of up to six hours. Pick-up and drop-off from Dunedin is included.
reviewed
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A
Black Cat Cruises
The waters around Akaroa are home to the world’s smallest and rarest dolphin, the Hector’s dolphin, found only in NZ waters. If viewing the dolphins on a harbour cruise isn’t enough, Black Cat Cruises can also get you swimming alongside the dolphins (assuming it’s not the calving season). Trips operate year-round and carry only 10 swimmers per trip, so book ahead. Wet suits and snorkelling gear are provided, plus hot showers back on dry land. Count on a 2½-hour outing including time in and on the water, and a $59 refund if you don’t get to swim with the dolphins. Cruises have around a 98% success rate in seeing dolphins, and an 81% success rate in actually swimming with…
reviewed
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Wilderness Coast Ocean Charters
Runs day trips to Gabo Island ($60, minimum eight, $60 each way if you stay overnight) and may run trips down the coast to view the seal colony off Wingan Inlet if there's enough demand.
reviewed
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B
Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours
One-hour boat trips from Wellers Rock (adult/child $49/22), and half- ($89/32) and full-day ($235/118) tours from Dunedin. Tours include breeding grounds for sea lions, penguins, albatross and seals often inaccessible by land.
reviewed
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Coral Bay Adventures
This excellent company offers half- and full-day trips where you can wildlife watch ($85/$190), swim with whale sharks ($390) or manta rays ($165), whale watch ($110) or view coral from a glass-bottom boat (one/two hours $33/46). It also provides free snorkel hire for the length of your stay.
reviewed
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C
Akaroa Dolphins
Two-hour wildlife cruises, plus evening cruises and birdwatching trips by arrangement. Say hi to Murphy – wildlife-spotting dog extraordinaire – for us. He even stars in his own children's picture book, available at the Akaroa Dolphins office.
reviewed
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Penguins Crossing
Door-to-door, 2½-hour tour taking in the blue and yellow-eyed colonies. Price includes admission to the blue penguin colony. Pick up times vary from 4pm to 7pm throughout the year.
reviewed
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Citibus
Tours combining albatross and penguin viewing.
reviewed
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Pohatu Plunge
Runs evening penguin-viewing tours (adult/child $70/55); spying the white-flippered penguin is best between August and January. Sea kayaking (adult/child $80/60) and 4WD nature tours (adult/child $90/50) are also available, with the option of staying overnight in a secluded cottage (additional $20 per person) in the Pohutu Nature Reserve.
reviewed
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Tasman Island Cruises
Take a bus to Port Arthur for a three-hour eco-cruise around Tasman Island, then explore the Port Arthur Historic Site and bus it back to town. Includes morning tea, lunch and Port Arthur admission. You can also take just the cruise from Port Arthur (adult/child $100/55).
reviewed
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Kings Ningaloo Reef Tours
Long-time player that still gets rave reviews for its whale-shark tours. It's renowned for staying out longer than everyone else, and has a 'next available tour' no-sighting policy.
reviewed
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Eco Platypus Tours
Day trips from Melbourne for $99 per person.
reviewed
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Byron Bay Wildlife Tours
Platypus and wildlife spottings guaranteed. Cheaper if booked online.
reviewed
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Back to Nature Tours
Good value peninsula tours getting you up close and personal with yellow-eyed penguins, NZ fur seals and sea lions. From November to March they also offer a tour including a spectacular coastal hike (adult/child $85/45).
reviewed
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D
Nature’s Wonders
Situated 1km past the albatross colony, and based on a sprawling coastal sheep farm, Nature’s Wonders runs one-hour tours taking in Stewart Island shags, NZ fur seals and yellow-eyed penguins. The tour is conducted in ‘go-anywhere’ Argos vehicles and is an exciting combo of improbable scenery and wildlife adventure.
reviewed