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Auckland Dolphin and Whale Watching Eco-Safari Cruise

star-4.51,114 Reviews
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Auckland, New Zealand
Auckland Dolphin and Whale Watching Eco-Safari Cruise
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Auckland Dolphin and Whale Watching Eco-Safari Cruise
Departing from Auckland's Viaduct Harbour
Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari
Marine researchers on board
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From $88.12

Lowest Price Guarantee

Select Date and Travelers

Number of travelers
1 Adult2 Adults3 Adults4 Adults5 Adults6 Adults7 Adults8 Adults9 Adults0 Children1 Child2 Children3 Children4 Children5 Children6 Children7 Children8 Children9 Children
Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance. Learn more
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Safety measures
icon4 hours 30 minutes  (Approx.)
Mobile ticket
iconOffered in: English and 7 more

Overview

Cruise the waters of Hauraki Gulf Marine Park in search of whales, dolphins and penguins on a half-day tour from Auckland. You’ll board a spacious catamaran at Viaduct Harbour and hear expert guides share informative commentary about New Zealand’s natural wonders. During the whale and dolphin safari, keep an eye out for six types of whales that frequent these waters, as well as seabirds such as Australasian gannets, petrels and terns.
  • 4.5-hour whale and dolphin watching cruise, from Auckland
  • Ride aboard a custom-built luxury catamaran for a superb viewing experience
  • Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and as many as six types of whales
  • Observe gannets that hunt by plunging into the water at speeds of up to 87 mph (140 kmh)
  • Listen to entertaining and informative commentary provided by your captain and crew
  • Departs from the Viaduct Harbour, conveniently located in downtown Auckland
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From $88.12

Lowest Price Guarantee
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Local guide
Every ticket purchased contributes directly to Marine Mammal Conservation
Expert commentary/Interaction with our onboard Marine Research Scientists
Food and drinks (available to purchase)
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Departure Point

Corner of Quay and Hobson Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1140, New Zealand

Departure Time

10:30 AM

Return Details

Returns to original departure point
Meet the boat crew at the New Zealand Maritime Museum at Viaduct Harbour, and depart aboard a custom-built 65-foot (20-meter) catamaran, comfortably appointed so you can best view up to six types of whales as well as dolphins and other marine life.

Throughout your 4.5-hour cruise, the captain and guides entertain you with fascinating facts about the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, home to five marine preserves and sprinkled with islands — it's considered one of the world’s most biologically diverse marine parks and home to some 23 different species.

Hear about research conducted in partnerships with local marine scientists and discover which whales the crew tracks. They’ll point out sea mammals such as frequently spotted pods of bottlenose dolphins and Bryde’s whales, native to New Zealand.

Be ready to snap photos of adorable blue penguins. Set your binoculars upon seabirds such as Australasian gannets, petrels, shearwaters and white-fronted terns soaring above or plunging into the sea.

Afterward, the boat returns to Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour, where your tour ends.

Please note: While wildlife viewings cannot be guaranteed, dolphins and whales are often swimming around these waters. In the event that you do not see any marine mammals during your trip, you can go again another day at no extra charge.
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Advisable to dress in warm layers and weatherproof gear as weather can be unpredictable
  • Advisable to bring sun hat (with chin strap to secure it), sunscreen, sunglasses, camera, binoculars and flat-soled shoes
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • IMPORTANT: Check in closes 15 minutes prior to stated departure time. Those passengers who are late risk losing their allocated seats.
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 99 travelers
  • OPERATED BY Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Learn more about cancellations.

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What is the policy on sanitization during Auckland Dolphin and Whale Watching Eco-Safari Cruise?
A:The policies on sanitization are:

  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
  • Gear/equipment sanitized between use
  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
See all safety measures taken by Auckland Dolphin and Whale Watching Eco-Safari Cruise.
Q:
What is the social distancing policy during Auckland Dolphin and Whale Watching Eco-Safari Cruise?
A:The policy on social distancing is:

  • Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
See all safety measures taken by Auckland Dolphin and Whale Watching Eco-Safari Cruise.
Q:
What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during Auckland Dolphin and Whale Watching Eco-Safari Cruise?
A:The policies on staff health & safety are:

  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
See all safety measures taken by Auckland Dolphin and Whale Watching Eco-Safari Cruise.

Traveler Photos

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Traveler Tips

  • "You need to be ready with your camera if you’re going to get those jumping out of the water and showing off their gymnastic skills." See review
  • "I don't think it was worth the cost of the tour." See review

Reviews

4.5
star-4.5
1,114 Reviews
5 stars
884
4 stars
145
3 stars
42
2 stars
15
1 star
28

Reviews by Viator travelers

Showing 1-10 of 1,114 reviews
star-1
Very poor management
Rimma_O
, Dec 2021
Very disappointed. I booked the trip 2 months in advance. It was supposed to be a birthday present for my partner. And 16 hours before the trip I received an email saying it’s cancelled, without an explanation why. So I called help center being very upset that I no longer have a present for my partner. And a girl on the phone said the reason of the cancellation was a mechanical issue. She didn’t even say sorry about me having a terrible experience with them. I totally get it’s not her fault, but we all have to deal with upset customers sometimes and the least we can do is to say sorry. Wouldn’t recommend relying on them and booking it in advance.
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icon Response from Host , Dec 2021
Kia Ora Rimmo_O, Thank you for taking the time to send through your feedback regarding the service you received. Unfortunately, as you mentioned the trip was canceled due to a mechanical issue that prevented us from traveling on the day. It's unfortunate that our team was not able to provide you with the empathy you were seeking for having to cancel your trip with your partner for their birthday. We have already had a discussion with our team regarding your feedback this morning and greatly appreciate your comments.
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star-4
Dolphins galore
Mark_M
, Dec 2021
Great trip. Very over priced though and when we found a cheaper option 2 hours later they wouldn’t refund the $140 difference like the Viator guarantee promises. That part is a rip off. No whale spotting either but lots of dolphins
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star-2
Disappointed
Tina_W
, Jun 2021
Was very disappointed, on cruise for 4 hours and saw 1 small group of whales for approx 20mins and no other mammals If they are hard to find at this time of year maybe the cruise should be shortened so won’t be as boring
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icon Response from Host , Jun 2021
Kia Ora Tina Thank you for taking the time to provide us with your feedback. Searching for mammals in the wild can take some time as we also had reports of Orca at Hooks Bay Hopefully, your encounter with whales was enjoyable as they hunted and rubbed their bellies on the rocks. The winter months are a great time to view mammals in the gulf as we have migrating mammals traveling up and down the country.
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star-5
Dolphins
Hemei_L
, Apr 2021
Will be looking for the dolphins for a long time and we found them, That was amazing!! And we have a nice sunset after, really a good trip
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icon Response from Host , May 2021
Kia Ora Hemei, Thanks for taking the time to post a review of your time out on safari with us. Seeing dolphins in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park is pretty amazing! In these months with no daylight saving it does mean you get the added bonus of the sunset as you make your way back to the Auckland Viaduct. Cheers, Anna and the team at Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari
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star-5
Fantastic day out.
Amy_P
, Apr 2021
It was a great trip the crew were super friendly and helpful giving really good hints and tips about sea life. We ended up seeing dolphins and a whale on the way back to Auckland which was amazing! It didn’t feel like it was 4 hours as there is loads to see with the scenery. If you are taking children would recommend taking picnic with you, though you can buy tea coffee and snacks on the boat. Fantastic day out.
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icon Response from Host , May 2021
Kia Ora Amy, Thank you for your great 5 star review of your time with us. We are pleased you enjoyed your safari experience exploring Auckland's Hauraki Gulf Marine Park and managed to see both dolphins and a whale on your way back to the Viaduct! Cheers, Anna and the team at Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari
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star-2
No dolphins
Manjinder_S
, Apr 2021
We saw only whale . They are asking , we see there whale & dolphin . Otherwise its ok to visit , long trip
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icon Response from Host , May 2021
Kia Ora, Thank you for your review. Despite our high sightings rates with dolphins, unfortunately it is all part of them being in the wild - we don't know where they will be which pulls in the safari part of our experience. It is great that you still saw a whale! Cheers, Anna and the team at Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari
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star-4
Nice outing
Marie_C
, Apr 2021
Firstly I was very disappointed with Viator. The price was advertised as $92 and right through the booking process it didn’t mention that it was US$! It was only after I had paid and received confirmation that it showed it was US$ and not NZ$. This was deceptive and false advertising. The trip itself was good. The staff were lovely and knowledgeable. We saw 3 orcas 10 minutes into the trip and nothing else for the rest of the 4 hrs.
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icon Response from Host , May 2021
Kia Ora Marie, It is great to hear you enjoyed your time out with us and managed to see 3 Orcas! It is unfortunate to hear that the settings in Viator were under USD and caused confusion around the pricing. Thank you for taking the time to provide us with your feedback. Cheers, Anna and the team at Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari
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star-2
Weather spoilt it
Norm
, Mar 2021
Great Crew, but swell to big and didn’t see anything came back to shore early, not crews fault it’s just circumstances and weather. Got voucher for standby next time we in Auckland
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icon Response from Host , May 2021
Kia Ora Norm, Thank you for taking the time to write this review of your time with us. We wish we could control the weather to ensure it is great for every trip but unfortunately it is out of our hands. We do hope to see you out there with us again soon using your voucher! Cheers, Anna and the team at Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari
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star-5
Good experience
Spencer_H
, Jan 2021
Welcoming and friendly staff. Got to see a lot dolphins. Unfortunately, didn’t see any whales. Got a bit sunburned on the ears.
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icon Response from Host , Feb 2021
Kia Ora, thanks for your review and pleased to hear you got to see lots of dolphins out in the Hauraki Gulf with us!
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star-5
Last Day Before Heading Hime
Mary_M
, Aug 2020
We had an awesome day watching dolphins of all sizes. You need to be ready with your camera if you’re going to get those jumping out of the water and showing off their gymnastic skills. No whales due to the rough seas. It was a wonderful day anyway.
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icon Response from Host , Aug 2020
Hi Mary, thank you for your review. Really great that you had a great trip out with us and got to see the dolphins putting on a show.
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