Boat Tours
2–3 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
$95
per adult
Coast Up Close
Coast Up Close
5
Boat ToursFishing Charters & ToursSightseeing ToursDolphin & Whale WatchingNature & Wildlife Tours
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Full view
About
Join us for a wildlife tour that explores the spectacular volcanic coastline and abundant wildlife of Banks Peninsula and Akaroa. Our wildlife tour numbers are kept limited, offering you a small and intimate tour that will take you where others can’t, with amazing views of New Zealand’s wildlife. Our friendly and knowledgeable crew love meeting and talking with our guests and Scruffy, our friendly boat dog, joins us on afternoon trips! Tony, a real Kiwi, has been exploring the waters around the Peninsula since the 1960s. He’ll entertain you with his the stories of his adventures and share his enthusiasm for this wonderful environment and stunning wildlife. Our characterful and comfortable boat - Wairiri, is a 41-foot Kauri Launch built in 1964.
Tours and Tickets by Coast Up Close
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5.0
328 reviews
Excellent
313
Very good
12
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Jason L
2 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
Great relaxed atmosphere. Tony, Mafi, and Scruffy were knowledgeable and personable guides. We'll definitely book again.
Written 18 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.
coastupclose
Hi Jason
Thank you for joining our cruise and giving us a 5 star review. We are looking forward to seeing you again sometime soon.
Cheers, Tony and Mafi
Written 19 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jonathan S
2 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Superb wildlife experience. We really appreciated the limited numbers, small boat and incredibly friendly and knowledgeable approach of the owners. You couldn’t have a better wildlife trip
Written 11 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.
coastupclose
Hi Jonathan,
Thank you for joining our cruise and this wonderful 5 star review. It was lovely to meet you both and we hope you got some good shots. Enjoy the rest of your time in NZ and hopefully see you again sometime.
Cheers, Tony and Mafi
Written 13 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
fionanz2018
Auckland Central, New Zealand7 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Fantastic trip. Stunning scenery and amazing wildlife- dolphins seals and penguins. Friendly knowledgeable team and small group made it extra special
Written 4 October 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.
coastupclose
Hi Fiona
Thank you for this fab review, it was great that you and the family could join our cruise. Hopefully see you again soon. Cheers, Tony and Mafi
Written 5 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Patrick & Kath G
Northmead, Australia11 contributions
Apr 2023
An amazing way to spend the morning. Tony & Mafi were great hosts and it felt like we were cruising with family. They were very knowledgable and obviously loved their special part of the world. A great experience that my family and I would all very much recommend.
Written 9 May 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.
Daydream32633165239
1 contribution
Apr 2023
A great afternoon with Tony, Muffy and Scurffy the dog. We saw dolphins, birds and best of all lots of seals. Very friendly, and informative, I would really recommend them
Written 22 April 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.
sharonmN7591WB
Melrose, UK5 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
Friendly local knowledgeable hosts on the boat. Deliberately not overcrowded. Comfortable and interactive... Including Scruffy three dog. Loads of wildlife too see and photograph. Very scenic fab trip. Highly recommended
Written 29 March 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.
coastupclose
Hi Sharon
Thank you for joining our cruise and your lovely five star review. We are very happy you enjoyed your time with us. Come back again soon.
Cheers, Tony and Mafi
Written 8 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DavidinToronto
Toronto, Canada224 contributions
Mar 2023
Tony is a great guide - knowledgeable and humorous.
The size of the boat means that the group is a manageable size with lots of viewing points available to everyone.
The size of the boat means that the group is a manageable size with lots of viewing points available to everyone.
Written 17 March 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.
coastupclose
Hi David,
Thank you for joining our trip and this 5 star review. We are very happy you enjoyed the trip and we definitely love the smaller size of the boat, too.
Cheers, Tony and Mafi
Written 22 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Paul and Ollie G
Melbourne, Australia123 contributions
Mar 2023
We went on this cruise earlier this week. Absolutely stunning day even though the weather was not brilliant. The tour allowed us to see dolphins, penguins, seals and some amazing scenery. The whole trip was fantastic - great hosts who ensured everyone heard everything and who were very knowledgable. Small group was great - compared to the other tours leaving this was a small boat but it also then allowed us to get into caves that other boats may not have been able to get into and also closer to the shoreline. Highly recommend this husband and wife team and scruffy the dog. Tony and his wife Muffy made sure this tour was extremely informative.
Written 10 March 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.
coastupclose
Hi Paul and Ollie
Thank you for choosing Coast Up Close and this fab review. We like to live up to our name and get close to things. We hope your travels are going well.
Best wishes,
Tony and Mafi
Written 13 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
TropicalTravelChick
Cairns, Australia12 contributions
Mar 2023
Great hosts who knew the area well as we saw 3 pods of Hector's dolphins, a couple of Albatross, 3 blue penguins, fur seals & numerous other birds. Also viewed spectacular volcanic rock formations & a sea cave. Boat not over-crowded so felt like a family day out on the boat. Thank you- such an enjoyable day on the water.
Written 9 March 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.
coastupclose
Hi
Thank you for choosing our cruise and this lovely 5 star review. We do love to know our guests enjoy their time out there with us.
Best wishes, Tony and Mafi
Written 10 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
FIRSTCRICKETTOUR
Cornwall, UK216 contributions
Mar 2023
Friendly, personal and very informative - Tony has lived here since being a very young boy so expect lots of interesting facts and information all delivered with a smile and some humour thrown in.
I was recommended by a bunch of guys in the pub on the previous evening which was good enough for me.
We saw dolphin, penguins and seals on a two & a half hour trip that took us out into the ocean. The boat has plenty of room either inside or out.
I can’t speak for other companies/operators but would hesitate in recommending Tony and Coast Up Close.
I was recommended by a bunch of guys in the pub on the previous evening which was good enough for me.
We saw dolphin, penguins and seals on a two & a half hour trip that took us out into the ocean. The boat has plenty of room either inside or out.
I can’t speak for other companies/operators but would hesitate in recommending Tony and Coast Up Close.
Written 7 March 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.
coastupclose
Hi Nick
Thank you for joining our cruise yesterday and this 5 star review. The pub is always great place to get some good local information. Enjoy the rest of your travels.
Cheers, Tony and Mafi
Written 8 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
saayit
Indiana5 contributions
What kind of rooms are 51, 52 and 53? Where are they located and are they first or second floor?
awayagainBrisbaneQLD
Brisbane QLD101 contributions
This question about room numbers does not relate to Coast Up Close cruises in Akaroa Harbour. This is a small ship that does fantastic day trips.
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