Wildside Adventures
Wildside Adventures
5
Multi-day ToursScuba & SnorkellingHiking & Camping ToursNature & Wildlife Tours
This location was reported permanently closed
About
We specialize in real New Zealand personalised adventures ranging from 1/2 day to overnight trips. Snorkeling and kayak trips with a marine biologist, commercial free diver who can point out all the interesting marine life. Sometimes when kayaking we are lucky enough to see Blue Penguins. If the sea is not for you enjoy a walk in the beautiful New Zealand bush,learning about edible plants and the New Zealand Wild life. Usually we see Whio/Blue Duck which are rare. 1/2 day to overnight trips. Pickup from Tauranga, Rotorua or Whakatane.
Whakatāne, New Zealand
Meets animal welfare guidelines

Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles6 reviews
Excellent
6
Very good
0
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0

Simon C
London, United Kingdom1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2018 • Solo
I couldn't have had a better day, than the one I spent with Wildside adventures.
Whilst in New Zealand, I was determined to spend some time scuba diving or snorkeling, and I really struggled to find anyone who would take out an inexperienced PADI diver. However the snorkeling I did with Amy and Wildside was fantastic and made up for the fact I couldn't gat a dive.
We saw Red Moki, Parore, Blue Maomao, Black Angel Fish, Pakirikiri, and a school of Piperfish. But the highlight was seeing three sting rays, two of which were swimming and were absolutely beautiful and so, so graceful.
Wildside were really informative, patient and good fun, and if you want to spend any time snorkeling or have an interest in aquatic life, then I wouldn't hesitate in recommending them.
To get to our snorkeling spot, we were on a dolphin watching boat, which was equally fantastic. My one regret was that I didn't take my whole family on this cruise (we were booked in to go dolphin watching the next day, but unfortunately that was cancelled.)
We saw the biggest pod of dolphins I've ever seen, as well as hammerhead sharks and a massive school of fish that took my breath away. An excellent day.
Written 5 March 2018
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.

Emily D
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2017 • Friends
IF YOU WANT AMAZING MEMORIES CHECK THIS OUT!!
Lately went out to Whale island on Wildside Adventures snorkeling trip.
This was a fantastic day out on the water! We traveled by Catamaran, chilling on the deck in the sunshine.
Then - my favorite part- exploring the world beneath the water!! Beautiful abundance of Native fish and lush seaweed forests, not to mention happening upon some SEALS!!! eeek I love these playful creatures!
The tour guides were very knowledgeable, always happy to answer our various questions and help us when we need it (I'm a little new to snorkeling) what an experience! see you soon Wildside!!
Written 30 November 2017
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.

Berniejomckiewill
Chelles, France1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2016 • Family
Absolutely fantastic family orientated adventure. My 15 year old said it was just like going on holiday with family. My 10 year old can't wait to go back. We learnt so much, Emily's knowledge, enthusiasm and genuine interest in the flora and fauna and sealife was admirable.
The trip to Whale island was really enjoyable, we saw and did something different every day.
Very accommodating and flexible when plans changed and the communication in the planning stage was great.
We have all travelled extensively around the world but I couldn't recommend Wildside adventures highly enough for all ages and abilities. We will be going back for sure. 💟
Written 30 December 2016
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.

Uma
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2016 • Solo
I went snorkelling of Whale Island with Wildside Adventures. Great visibility and plenty of seals and fish to observe. Amy and Emily were great hosts.
Don't need to be a strong swimmer to enjoy the trip. I am a novice swimmer and this was my first time snorkelling. I felt very safe and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Written 18 November 2016
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.

meghanndaradee
Tauranga, New Zealand19 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2016 • Couples
We have traveled extensively and don't like to go on generic package tours. We wanted to experience the real New Zealand and Wildside adventures did that for us. It was a personal tour of just my husband and I and Emily and Amy went out of their way to cater to all of our wants and needs and tailored our tour to suit our abilities. We will deffinately be back for more crayfish!
Written 27 August 2016
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.

PraisePhotography
La Grande, OR121 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2016 • Couples
If you have time for only one trip in the Bay of Plenty area, take Wildside Adventure’s two day trip; if you have time for more than one, be sure to include this one! The Bay of Plenty is beautiful, but the East Cape is even more so, and Whanara Bay is its crown jewel. The drive there is not too long, so you do not lose too much time in the van, and the scenery along the way is magnificent!

Once you arrive, your first afternoon and your next full day will be filled. So, why do you choose this trip over the many other options you have? One, the scenery is uniquely gorgeous. Two, the quality of guiding service and knowledge that Amy and her daughter, Emily, provide is unmatched. Three, the activities take you into both the sea and the rain forest, Enjoy a mythic walk up the Whanarua river to a gorgeous waterfall that you can wade under and thrill to the the pounding shower. Kayak serenely along coastline which is only visible from the sea (and maybe, like we did, see a blue penguin), and snorkel through water where seaweed moves gently and fish, like the red moki, swim below. We were fortunate that Emily’s skilled diving produced a crayfish that we enjoyed for lunch.

Amy provides excellent organic beef and vegetables. For my wife and me, the evening culinary highlight was a bar b que over an open fire of potatoes and organic sausage from one of Amy’s cows—and the “somores” for dessert were excellent. Infinite stars filled the night sky and the gentle sounds of a morepork owl drifted over us.

The lodging is currently simple, with plans to expand. However, the whole trip was like a wonderful homestay, with excellent, enthusiastic hospitality and stimulating adventures. Amy and Emily genuinely care for their clients. We were treated very much like family and not just impersonal clients.
Written 28 March 2016
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.

WILDSIDE ADVENTURES (Whakatāne) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go