Safaris
1 hour
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 93% of travellers
93% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$66
per adult
Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours
Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours
Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours
5
Historical & Heritage ToursBoat ToursEco ToursNature & Wildlife ToursBus Tours
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Full view
About
The crew of Monarch Wildlife Cruises and Tours take great pride in getting our guests closer to unique southern ocean wildlife and spectacular local scenery. The Otago Peninsula and Harbour is renowned for it's breeding populations of northern royal albatross, yellow-eyed & blue penguins, NZ fur seals, sea lions, and many other wildlife species. We think cruising on the MV Monarch is the BEST way to see them.
Dunedin, New Zealand
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Improve this listingTours and Tickets by Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours
Half-day Tours
5 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$160
per adult
Eco Tours
6–7 hours
Free cancellation
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Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$215
per adult
Private Sightseeing Tours
3–4 hours
Free cancellation
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Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$110
per adult
Ports of Call Tours
2–3 hours
Free cancellation
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from
$120
per adult
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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5.0
1,115 reviews
Excellent
915
Very good
158
Average
20
Poor
11
Terrible
11
Greynomad_10
Sydney, Australia113 contributions
Feb 2020
We were lucky to see all of the advertised sealife. This was made possible by the spotting skills of professional crew members. We were all provided with binoculars, warm jackets and hot drinks. Commentary by the captain was excellent and he took trouble to manoeuvre the vessel to everyone's best advantage. We booked the excursion through the Cunard tour desk and would recommend this one above the Black Cat similar offer in Akaroa.
Written 20 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wow! Thank you for the shining feedback. Glad to hear you had a great time out with us.
Written 29 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
jandc8491
Wilmington, DE1,241 contributions
Mar 2020
My wife and I were on an organized tour of New Zealand. This wildlife cruise in Otago Harbour was one of our included excursions. We were lucky to spot a group of dolphins playing in the water. They seemed curious about our boat. Later we went looking for fur seals and albatross, which we saw. There was narration about the wildlife.
Monarch provided warm windbreakers for us to wear, along with binoculars (10x42, 5.6°). We were served hot chocolate/tea/coffee, with a hot appetizer—a nice touch.
Monarch provided warm windbreakers for us to wear, along with binoculars (10x42, 5.6°). We were served hot chocolate/tea/coffee, with a hot appetizer—a nice touch.
Written 4 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue Goodger
34 contributions
Feb 2020
I was picked up from my hotel, and taken out to the peninsula to pick up the boat. As it was the best of days, we were provided with really warm waterproof coats. The crew pointed out several birds and animals, and we could borrow binoculars. I decided to remain on the boat back to Dunedin, they put up the covers at the rear of the boat and provided us with tea, coffee or hot chocolate. Somehow they cooked little sausage rolls and handed them out. Fully recommend this if you are next in Dunedin
Written 29 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Itsmeagain2
Tonbridge, UK1,439 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We booked the Premier tour which is a full day out. We started with a scenic bus tour incorporating the inlets of the peninsula and bird spotting. Sadly, our driver knew little about the birds and I stepped in and corrected him when he clearly couldn’t tell a Pied Stilt from a Spur Winged Plover. It was all very friendly, but when we clearly knew more about the birds than he did after we had spent only a month in NZ it wasn’t exactly a great start.
At the Albatross Colony, we were clearly told we would be collected after the tour at 1.30pm. We queried this and it was confirmed by the driver. The tour, run by the Albatross people was great and we were delighted to see Albatross chicks.
Needless to say nobody was there to collect our little group at 1.30pm and our little group decided lunch in the cafe was in order. A phone call to Monarch confirmed we had been told the wrong time and we could expect to be collected at 2.15pm. By this stage we were starting to lose faith in Monarch’s organisation.
However, things improved. We were transported to the Yellow Eyed Penguin colony and had a great tour there. Then were taken down to the wharf for the boat tour. The boat tour was again great and skipper Nigel and spotter Nick were extremely knowledgeable saving the day.
I can’t score the entire trip more highly due to the morning session. The least you can expect when you do a bird spotting trip is that your guide actually knows what you are looking at!
At the Albatross Colony, we were clearly told we would be collected after the tour at 1.30pm. We queried this and it was confirmed by the driver. The tour, run by the Albatross people was great and we were delighted to see Albatross chicks.
Needless to say nobody was there to collect our little group at 1.30pm and our little group decided lunch in the cafe was in order. A phone call to Monarch confirmed we had been told the wrong time and we could expect to be collected at 2.15pm. By this stage we were starting to lose faith in Monarch’s organisation.
However, things improved. We were transported to the Yellow Eyed Penguin colony and had a great tour there. Then were taken down to the wharf for the boat tour. The boat tour was again great and skipper Nigel and spotter Nick were extremely knowledgeable saving the day.
I can’t score the entire trip more highly due to the morning session. The least you can expect when you do a bird spotting trip is that your guide actually knows what you are looking at!
Written 28 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your feedback. I would really like to follow this up with the driver you were with prior to the Albatross Colony tour. Could you perhaps email monarch@wildlife.co.nz with some more details. We agree, they should definitely know the difference between those two birds. They should have also told you that the tour finishes at 1:30pm at which point an hour is allowed for you to have lunch at the cafe (this is the standard schedule). I am sorry about the lack of communication but very glad to hear the afternoon improved with the Penguin Place Tour and Wildlife Cruise.
Written 29 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MisterPip
Sydney, Australia56 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
As a former Dunedin person now living in Australia it’s easy to take for granted the things on your own doorstep. I decided to do this tour when visiting family and was wowed by what the Otago peninsula has to offer. We saw seals, sea lions, dolphins, penguins and albatross (as well as numerous other birds) all within 45 mins of the city. Will, our guide, was very knowledgeable about the wildlife and environs and made the trip an interesting and easy one. I would recommend this for visitors and for locals, who may not always remember what a special and unique place this is.
Written 11 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It's amazing how many times we hear the same thing from locals (or ex-locals) like yourself. We are very lucky to have such an abundant backyard! Awesome review, thank you!
Written 27 January 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
KP2874
Madison, WI112 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
What a wonderful day! We took the peninsula tour with a stop at the Albatross Centre and the penguin reserve. Our guide Mark was great! We left from Dunedin and drove to several spots on the peninsula where we walked to a beach to see seal lions, we drove around a lake to see water birds, and we got great views.
Everyone else on our small group tour had signed up for the guided tour at the Albatross Centre (which they seemed to enjoy), but my husband and opted to just walk around the visitor center. There were some interesting displays, we wandered through the gift shop and picked up a drink at the cafe and then watched several albatross flying around from a seat outside. There were also two short walks you can do outside the centre with great views.
We then went to the penguin reserve and after an orientation we walked through the tunnels to several hides to try to see the yellow-eyed penguins. We had been warned that they hadn't been spotted in weeks, so our expectations were low (they're in the wild so you just have to know you may not see any). It was our lucky day, however, and we saw two penguins waddling through the grass!
While we could have driven ourselves out and around the peninsula, I was very happy to have a relaxing day and a break from driving, and to be able to actually look around vs. being so focused on a curvy road was very nice. Mark was a great guide, and we would highly recommend Monarch Wildlife Tours! (we actually booked through Elm Wildlife, they the two companies have merged).
Everyone else on our small group tour had signed up for the guided tour at the Albatross Centre (which they seemed to enjoy), but my husband and opted to just walk around the visitor center. There were some interesting displays, we wandered through the gift shop and picked up a drink at the cafe and then watched several albatross flying around from a seat outside. There were also two short walks you can do outside the centre with great views.
We then went to the penguin reserve and after an orientation we walked through the tunnels to several hides to try to see the yellow-eyed penguins. We had been warned that they hadn't been spotted in weeks, so our expectations were low (they're in the wild so you just have to know you may not see any). It was our lucky day, however, and we saw two penguins waddling through the grass!
While we could have driven ourselves out and around the peninsula, I was very happy to have a relaxing day and a break from driving, and to be able to actually look around vs. being so focused on a curvy road was very nice. Mark was a great guide, and we would highly recommend Monarch Wildlife Tours! (we actually booked through Elm Wildlife, they the two companies have merged).
Written 8 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Very informative review, thank you for joining us!
Written 16 April 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Arlene D
Masterton, New Zealand63 contributions
Mar 2020 • Solo
I was picked up at my hotel and taken for an amazing drive along the high road of the Otago Peninsula. The driver was informative and stopped a few times for photo opportunities. Then there was a wonderful sea trip to see the seals and an amazing number of cliff dwelling it’s including two types of albatross. Again the commentary was very informative. The skipper of the boat got us close to the cliffs. Binoculars were supplied as well as warm jackets for those that needed them. We went out into the ocean to watch the albatross playing in the breeze and floating on the water. Later we returned to the wharf to swap boats for the trip back down the harbour to Dunedin. Hot drinks and a savoury were served on the trip. Once on land I was returned to my hotel. An excellent trip and good value for money.
Written 13 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sand_51714
Auckland Central, New Zealand30 contributions
Jan 2021
We were picked up at I-site by Craig who drove us to the Albatross centre very informative guy pointed out loads of places. Then took us onto the Penguin place and came back for us and dropped us to the boat. It was great to see the birds flying close by and sea lions on rocks etc.. Was a bit on the choppy side for me but Nigel was so kind and let me have some peppermint oil to sniff to ward off the sickness. It certainly helped. Lovely cruise back in very calm waters to Dunedin, pointing out lots of interesting landmarks.
Written 27 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Great view and congratulations on being able to battle the sea sickness. The peppermint pads can really work wonders. Thank you for coming out with us.
Written 12 May 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
petermack2011
Bungay, UK409 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Although we had a great trip looking out for wildlife, which included sea lions, walruses and albatrosses, one of our main reasons for this trip was to see the blue and the yellow eyed penguins. We were taken to the reserve, had the presentation and went to the hythe along quite a considerable length of trenches down to the shoreline and saw nothing. For around 30 to 40 minutes we were keeping watch for something which may or may not have been there. We left feeling quite disappointed.
Only the following day, when talking to another party when we saw their recording of many blue penguins coming ashore in the mid evening after feeding. It did make us feel that we had been somewhat misinformed by all involved that the penguins were actually there. Whereas, in fact they only appeared at certain times not covered by our tour.
Only the following day, when talking to another party when we saw their recording of many blue penguins coming ashore in the mid evening after feeding. It did make us feel that we had been somewhat misinformed by all involved that the penguins were actually there. Whereas, in fact they only appeared at certain times not covered by our tour.
Written 15 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aussie_2012
Melbourne, Australia960 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
You are at the mercy of the elements on this cruise. If the wind is blowing a certain direction and the tide is out you are not going to see anything memorable, and apparently the wind tends to blow regularly. The staff are friendly and informative however you will be extremely lucky to get up close and personal to any wildlife. If you are a keen photographer then forget about it as the boat rocks a lot and it is near impossible to get a long lock on any photo. To be quite honest you can get better views of the albatross at the albatross centre, and views of penguins and sea lions from the shore. Also if you drive be aware that car parking is very limited as the car park is not exclusive to the boat cruise patrons. Seen much better tours in locations like Kaikoura and Marlbourgh Sounds. Don’t go.
Written 29 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Unfortunately, as you mentioned, the wind and tide can cause lumps and bumps when they work against each other. We'd love to have you out again on a day with better conditions. Perhaps give us a call next time you're in this part of the world. We love Southerly winds as they really smooth off the sea chop and provide a great wind direction for albatross to return to the colony.
Written 7 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My wife uses a collapsible walker and has limited walking mobility,can she do a tour such as this such as get on board with help.
Written 20 September 2019
MonarchWildlife
Dunedin, New Zealand
Hi Peter,
Yes, we can accommodate your wife. As long as she can manage two steps (shin height) with assistance. If you need to clarify further please contact us directly 0800 666 272.
Written 3 October 2019
hi,
was interested in wild life cruise for 25th of march. wanted to check if this cruise will be suitable for a person with back problem and with a toddler.
which is the best time for cruise in late march?
Written 1 March 2018
Sorry only saw this after your date to go. For a person with back problems it should be OK. You would need to keep a tight hold of a toddler
Written 6 April 2018
We arrive at 9 am on Holland America line.
Have to be back to the ship by 6:00 for 7 pm departure.
We want to see the Hector dolphins, albatrosses, yellow eyed penguins and hopefully the little blue penguin.
Will this trip work for the 2 of us/
Thanks
Written 3 February 2017
Yes it should do, as the trip lasts an hour. Staff are very knowledgeable and we thoroughly enjoyed the trip.
Written 7 February 2017
Can you transport me and my mum on a cruise ship to new Zealand
I am very much not a robot
Over
Written 11 January 2016
MonarchWildlife
Dunedin, New Zealand
Hi Feldene,
I believe I have answered your other question - which covers this one.
Kind regards,
Chris
Monarch Wildlife Cruises
Written 6 July 2016
My brother lives in dunedin
nz. Me and my mum want to cruise there. Then stop for a while then cruise somewhere else on the way back
Written 11 January 2016
MonarchWildlife
Dunedin, New Zealand
Hi Feldene,
Sorry for the slow reply.
We offer wildlife cruises and tours within Dunedin.
Unfortunately we don't cruise to other places in New Zealand.
Find out more at out website or call us.
Written 6 July 2016
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