Experience a unique whale, dolphin, seal or penguin encounter in New Zealand. Take a New Zealand whale watching or dolphin watching cruise, swim with the whales or swim with the dolphins, or visit a seal colony or penguin colony. New Zealand whale watching, swimming with the dolphins are world famous.

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Whales, Dolphins, Seals and Penguins

Experience a unique whale, dolphin, seal or penguin encounter in New Zealand. Take a whale or dolphin watching cruise, swim with the whales or dolphins, or visit a seal or penguin colony.

Select whales, dolphins, seals and penguins in New Zealand by clicking on the map, using the region links or browse by the view all listings option.

 

  • AKAROA DOLPHINS - Akaroa

    Come to delightful, historic Akaroa. Experience a journey of discovery through millions of years of fascinating history and natural heritage. Step aboard our stylish new catamaran for the nature cruise of a lifetime around a natural wonder—Akaroa Harbour. See marine birdlife, seals, penguins and the rare Hector's dolphin...(more)

  • BACK TO NATURE TOURS - Dunedin

    The most comprehensive nature tour of the Otago Peninsula. Enjoy a scenic tour that includes the royal albatross, fur seals, sea-lions, waders, waterfowl and the rare yellow-eyed penguin. We also visit Larnach Castle and introduce you to New Zealand's temperate rainforest...(more)

  • BLACK CAT CRUISES - Christchurch and Akaroa

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    The two beautiful harbours near Christchurch are home to the rare and playful Hectors Dolphin. Join us on a two-hour nature cruise where you will also see fur seals, penguins and other marine birdlife. Swimming with dolphins is available in Akaroa Harbour. Winner of the Supreme Tourism Award 2003/4...(more)

  • BUTLERS SWIM WITH THE DOLPHINS - Tauranga

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    Swim with dolphins in Tauranga. Enjoy a unique and totally natural experience with wild dolphins. It's a dolphins' world out there and we have been getting dolphins and people together for over 13 years. Our dolphin encounters have become legendary. You will need to book for this popular experience...(more)

  • CARINO SAILING & DOLPHIN CHARTERS - Bay of Islands

    Day sailing adventure cruise and swim with the dolphins adventure in the Bay of Islands. Help set the sails or simply relax on our 15-metre catamaran. Dolphin watching and swimming with wild dolphins. Explore island beaches and island walks. Snorkelling tours. BBQ lunch. Depart daily Paihia and Russell...(more)

  • CRUIZE MILFORD - Milford Sound

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    Join us aboard the Milford Adventurer and enjoy one of the most stunning places on earth. We specialise in providing personal friendly service and uncrowded cruises. See seals, dolphins, and occasionally the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin and get close enough to feel the spray from the waterfalls...(more)

  • DIVEWORKS CHARTERS/WHALE ISLAND TOURS - Bay of Plenty

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    Fish, dive and swim with dolphins, or sightsee in the rich waters surrounding White Island and Whale Island. The delightful Bay of Plenty is aptly named with an abundance of attractions. Experienced crew and an excellent vessel all make for a memorable time on the water. Come share great times with us!..(more)

  • DOLPHIN ENCOUNTER - Kaikoura

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    Dolphin watching and swimming in Kaikoura. Get wonderful views of the spectacular and acrobatic dusky dolphins from one of our boats. See the dolphins in their natural environment with the option to swim amongst these friendly creatures. Swimming with the dolphins is an experience of a lifetime...(more)

  • DOLPHIN SEAFARIS - Tauranga

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    Watch or swim with graceful and playful wild dolphins in their natural environment around Bay of Plenty and Tauranga. Our high-speed, safe and stable 50-foot luxury catamaran takes daily trips for around five hours. The best natural dolphin experience in New Zealand. Professional marine naturalist guides, breakfast and all gear provided. The bay's only New Zealand Qualmark approved operator...(more)

  • INTERNATIONAL ANTARCTIC CENTRE - Christchurch

    Very few people have the opportunity to experience the awesome and magical beauty of Antarctica firsthand. Our aim is to recreate the atmosphere and environment of Antarctica, providing visitors with an interactive, fun and exciting experience of the 'Great White South'. For most people this will be the closest they will be able to come to experiencing this continent...(more)

  • KAPITI TOURS - Kapiti Island

    Kapiti Island—one of New Zealand's premier rodent free conservation treasures. A unique opportunity to observe an abundance of native birds, many of which are extremely scarce on the mainland. You have the option of easy and relaxed bush walks or a three hour round trip to the trig (521 metres above sea level) and expansive views...(more)

  • KINGS DOLPHIN CRUISES AND TOURS - Paihia, Bay of Islands

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    Discover New Zealand's Northland and Bay of Islands with our action-packed day trips by land and sea. Great tours to choose from, including dolphin and whale watching, go boom-netting and swim close to dolphins in total safety! Or take a speed adventure to the 'Hole in the Rock', the ultimate Bay of Islands breath-taking experience...(more)

  • MANA ISLAND SAILING ADVENTURES - Wellington

    Sail with us into the Cook Strait in the safety and comfort of an 11-metre ocean going yacht. Enjoy the stunning views across to the Marlborough Sounds and snow capped Kaikoura mountain range and north to Kapiti Island. Picnic on the grassy foreshore of Mana Island among the rare native birds and wildlife. Only 30 minutes from Wellington central city...(more)

  • MONARCH WILDLIFE CRUISES AND TOURS - Dunedin

    2006 NZ Tourism Award winner. Unrivalled wildlife viewing. See what cannot be seen from land—the northern royal albatross, fur seals, penguins, ocean birds, marine mammals and more. Be fascinated and exhilarated with the dramatic views and wealth of wildlife—so close, so natural. Let us show you it all!..(more)

  • NATURE GUIDES OTAGO - Dunedin

    Superior accommodation and small-group guided wildlife tours for the discerning nature lover. Nature-based packages including two to three nights accommodation, breakfast, picnic lunch, Sunrise Penguin Walk, albatross viewing, and other wildlife observations around Dunedin, Otago Peninsula, and the Catlins. Flexible and personalised to suit your special interests. Maximum four to six people...(more)

  • OAMARU BLUE PENGUIN COLONY - Oamaru

    Be captivated by New Zealand’s largest colony of the world’s smallest penguin in its natural environment. Day time Behind the Scenes Tour: see nesting birds close up, when they are ashore. Evening Viewing: see these personality packed penguins return home from a day’s fishing. Ecotourism at its finest...(more)

  • POHATU PENGUINS - Akaroa, Banks Peninsula

    Pohatu is the largest little penguin colony on mainland New Zealand. 4WD safaris enable you to visit this remote and beautiful area, meet the local experts and learn of conservation and day-to-day life of white-flippered penguins within the large Pohatu Colony. Sea kayaking safaris give great wildlife viewing opportunities and allow the adventurous to explore New Zealand's spectacular coastline...(more)

  • ROUND ABOUT HAAST - Haast, West Coast

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    Specialising in selected tours around the Haast area. Explore the rainforests, with 800 year old Rimu trees, view Hector Dolphins, Fiordland Crested Penguins and Fur Seals in their natural environment. The Haast, centrepiece of The South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. Experience nature as it happens...(more)

  • WHALE WATCH - Kaikoura

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    New Zealand's ultimate year-round nature experience offering exciting close encounters with giant sperm whales. Kaikoura's semi-resident sperm whales share their unique world with other whale and dolphin species, seals and albatross—all regularly sighted. Our 95% success rate means we guarantee an 80% refund if your tour doesn't see a whale...(more)

  • WINGS OVER WHALES - Kaikoura

    While you are in New Zealand head for Kaikoura and go whale watching, by aeroplane! It's the way to view whales and mountains. In a 30-minute flight you will see the majestic Sperm Whale preparing for his next dive and up to 500 Dusky Dolphins. You may also fly over Kaikoura Peninsula and see evidence of Maori fortifications...(more)

 

  • Kaikoura Kayaks - Kaikoura Featured Web page'

    The Kaikoura coast is home to an abundance of marine life and sea birds. There is no better way to explore this fascinating environment than to paddle your own sea kayak on a safe, guided tour with us. No experience or swimming ability necessary!..(more)

Travel Competition

New Zealand travel competition with great prize worth NZ$600

Qualmark

qualmark Qualmark® is New Zealand tourism's official mark of quality and the world's first integrated quality assurance system. (more)