Top 15 Wildlife Tours in New Zealand

1.Clearwater Wildlife Tours (small group 10max) Otago Peninsula

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 531 reviews · from $139Our pick

Small-group Otago Peninsula wildlife tour near Cape Saunders, with private viewing spots, binoculars, rain gear, and chances to see penguins and seals.

“It was amazing and we saw baby seals playing, sea lions, various birds and yellow eyed penguins. We were very luck and saw one coming back from the ocean. The tour guide was very professional and knowledgeable. It was a great tour.”

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2.Wildlife & Nature Cruises

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 513 reviews · 2 hours · from $92

2-hour Milford Sound cruise with live English nature commentary, close waterfall views, and chances to spot dolphins, seals, and penguins.

“Stunning!!! Big wow factor that’s for sure. Excellent skipper/guide, very informative - saw seals & a couple of dolphins, beautiful waterfalls. Nice & clean on board, friendly staff & great coffee!!”

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3.Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour – Kaikoura

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 467 reviews · from $99

Paddle Kaikoura’s marine reserve with a guide, spot seals and possible dolphins, and learn technique on a small-group sea kayak tour.

“Cam.and cam made it easy by lending tons of gear and with their instructions. They were super helpful”

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4.Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 390 reviews · 3 hours · from $95

Paddle Kaikoura’s rugged coast on a half-day wildlife kayak tour with guaranteed seal viewing, expert guidance, and chances at dolphins and penguins.

“The activity was a lot of fun and we managed to get all the way to see the seals despite the windy conditions. We were in 2-person kayaks and there was another family of four on the tour. Our guides were Emma and Cam, and Emma was really engaged, friendly, and patient with the guests - her work is 5 stars. It would have been nice if Cam treated the older folks who were less English-proficient with a bit more respect.”

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5.6 Ziplines, Swing-Bridges & Wildlife Encounters

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 347 reviews · 150 - 210 minutes · from $118

Rotorua canopy zipline with six rides, swing bridges, native birds, and conservation support, plus free photos.

“Thank you Minka and Luke great time and some fears overcome!! X”

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6.Island Hopper Day Cruise – sailing to wildlife sanctuary island – 6 hr cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 301 reviews · from $139

Sail the Bay of Islands by catamaran, snorkel and paddle on included gear, then spend 2 hours at a wildlife sanctuary island stop.

“10/10: would recommend. Shawn and Luke crushed it, made us feel relaxed and at home. Had a great time on the boat and island.”

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7.Wildlife and Penguin Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 239 reviews · 1h 30m · from $44

A 90-minute eco-reserve tour on Otago Peninsula to learn penguin conservation, visit a rehab centre, and spot wildlife on a guided 2 km walk.

“We learned a great deal about the efforts to restore habitat and wildlife populations including blue penguins and yellow eyed penguins. It was fascinating and fun”

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8.Otago Peninsula Wildlife Cruise with Monarch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 227 reviews · from $43Best value

Otago Peninsula wildlife cruise with Monarch: warm jackets, top binoculars, and a one-hour shot at dolphins and royal albatross near Taiaroa Head.

“Brilliant crew and very knowledgeable. Had a wonderful afternoon out in the ocean! Saw some seals and sea lions. A blue fin shark was spotted. Would recommend.”

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9.Small Group Daytime 2-Hour Eco Wildlife Tour at Zealandia

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 223 reviews · from $43

Join a 2-hour guided walk through Zealandia’s fenced urban eco-sanctuary to spot native birds, reptiles, and conservation in action.

“Great guide with lots of knowledge. The refuge is amazing and gives you a chance to see what New Zealand once was like, as well as introduces you to native birds and reptiles.”

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10.Albatross, seals, and sea birds-Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 189 reviews · from $105

Small-group wildlife cruise from Port Chalmers with Captain Rachel, binoculars, and onboard ID help for albatross, seals, penguins, and more.

“This was an awesome experience made even more awesome. By our tour guide Rachel, her knowledge of the wildlife, and the birds all around the waterway that she took us through a second to none. I highly recommend this tour for anyone who wants to learn about the unique wildlife in around Port Chalmers especially those with young children. Thank you Rachel for an enjoyable time.”

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11.Motuara Wildlife Sanctuary Tour and Dolphin Cruise from Picton

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 180 reviews · from $104

Half-day Marlborough Sounds cruise from Picton with a predator-free Motuara bird walk, dolphin and seal spotting, plus snacks and wine.

“The eco-tour was very nice. We were given a good briefing and instructive information about animals and nature. We really enjoyed Motuara Island. Unfortunately, live animals such as jellyfish and starfish were taken out of the water and left on the boat in the hot sun. Without my intervention, the animals would have burnt in the sun. This has no ecological aspect for me.”

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12.Bay of Islands Cruise & Island Tour – Snorkel, Hike,Swim,Wildlife

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 177 reviews · from $104

A 4.5-hour Bay of Islands cruise with island walks, snorkel gear, possible Hole in the Rock, Cape Brett Lighthouse, and wildlife spotting.

“I booked this tour months ago and was really looking forward to seeing this beautiful area. We got in line 15 minutes early and a worker came and told us they were trying to get the boat working. He returned a few minutes later and told us the Read more”

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13.Bay of Islands: Catamaran Sail, Wildlife Island & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 173 reviews · 6 hours · from $134

6-hour Bay of Islands sailing catamaran with a wildlife island stop, snorkeling and paddleboarding gear, morning tea and beach picnic lunch.

“Thoroughly enjoyable day thank you; sailing, snorkelling and walking were great; Luke was engaging and interesting; communication about the booking was straightforward”

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14.Sunrise wildlife sea kayaking in Akaroa marine reserve

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 123 reviews · from $96

Paddle Akaroa’s extinct volcanic basin at sunrise with a small team, chasing Hector dolphins, seals, and penguins, plus photos.

“To begin with Viator messed up our reservation. On Saturday 11/09/24 I made a reservation for two participants. The front Viator page read reservation for Tomorrow ( 11/10/24). I continued on with the process assuming the reservation waRead more”

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15.Dunedin Wildlife Cruise-Albatross, seals and harbour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 115 reviews · from $105

Small-group Dunedin harbor cruise to Otago Peninsula and Taiaroa Head. Live commentary, binoculars, warm jackets, 90-120 minutes.

“Absolutely brilliant trip. Rachel the skipper was so knowledgeable and kept us informed from the start and not just about the wildlife, but also about the area and history. Not an avid birdwatcher but the whole trip was fascinating and we had the added benefit of a very close visit from an albatross. Rachel provided binoculars to assist us and even baked cookies for the group. Information sheet provided afterwards to confirm what birds and seals we’d seen.. brilliant trip and host and excellent value for money”

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