New Zealand · WILDLIFE

Top 15 Wildlife Trips in New Zealand

41 tours  ·  from $23

Good wildlife trips fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Clearwater Wildlife Tours (small group 10max) Otago Peninsula - Cape Saunders and the private fur seal colony
Dunedin Tours, Otago Peninsula Wildlife Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wildlife, Wildlife Tours in Dunedin

Clearwater Wildlife Tours (small group 10max) Otago Peninsula

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

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

Travel from Dunedin to Cape Saunders in a van shared by no more than 10 people. Walk private beaches, farm trails, and conservation areas with guides such as Adrian, Ben, Kelly, Quinn, or Paula. Binoculars, weatherproof jackets, water, cookies, and return transport are included.

“An absolutely fabulous excursion with our guide Ben. The trip along the Otago peninsula was beautiful & we saw so many birds. Ben’s knowledge was second to none & his enthusiasm was infectious. The hide provided to look at the seal Read more”

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Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura - Starting at 17 Killarney Street
Canoes & Kayaks, Kaikoura Tours, Kayaking Trips in Kaikoura, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wildlife

Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour – Kaikoura

2.Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour – Kaikoura

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

Paddle the Kaikoura Peninsula with guides such as Loz, Cam, Holt, and Rosie, learning about fur seals, seabirds, Māori culture, and coastal wildlife. The roughly three-hour tour includes about 1.5 hours on the water, stable kayaks, safety gear, and a chance to spot dolphins or blue penguins.

“The kayaks were deluxe. The guides gave very clear directions and were focused on safety. We got very close to the seals and learned a lot about them from the guides.”

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Milford Sound: 2-Hour Wildlife & Nature Cruise - The two-hour route toward the Tasman Sea
2-Hour Experiences, Boat Tours in Fiordland, Cruises & Boat Tours, Fiordland Tours, Milford Sound Cruises, Tour Reviews, Wildlife

Milford Sound: 2-Hour Wildlife & Nature Cruise

3.2-Hour Wildlife & Nature Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 418 reviews · from $85

Cruise the full length of Milford Sound for two hours aboard a modern vessel with indoor lounges, outdoor decks, a licensed bar, café food, and live English commentary. Guides such as Aiden and Sean bring the cliffs, waterfalls, seals, dolphins, and Fiordland crested penguins into focus.

“Really good, Please check the phone number , they r wrong. Please remind people parking on site will take time to walk to the location.”

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Kaikoura: Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour - Meeting the guides and learning the basics
Canoes & Kayaks, Half-Day, Kaikoura Tours, Kayaking Trips in Kaikoura, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wildlife

Kaikoura: Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour

4.Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour

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

Spend three hours around Kaikoura’s rugged coast with guides such as Cam, Emma, Holt, and Loz. After a safety lesson, paddle for 1.5 to 2 hours in a stable kayak, watching fur seals at close range and looking for dusky dolphins, blue penguins, birds, and passing whales.

“Excellent tour with Emma and Matt! We really enjoyed it and saw plenty of seals and blue penguins too! Would highly recommend to anyone looking to kayak in Kaikōura - not to be missed!”

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Rotorua: 6 Ziplines, Swing-Bridges & Wildlife Encounters - The 15-minute forest walk sets the tone
Rotorua Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife, Zip Lines

Rotorua: 6 Ziplines, Swing-Bridges & Wildlife Encounters

5.6 Ziplines, Swing-Bridges & Wildlife Encounters

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

Join two guides for a 2.5-hour canopy adventure in a protected Rotorua forest. You’ll ride six ziplines, cross bridges up to 20 metres high, and may hand-feed robins, fantails, tomtits, and kererū. Warm clothing, safety gear, and free photos are provided.

“Ben and Mitch were fantastic funny, friendly, and incredibly supportive. It was our first time and they made it feel easy and judgment-free. Loved chatting with them and they were very knowledgeable. Couldn’t have asked for better guides.”

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Dunedin: Wildlife and Penguin Tour - The rehabilitation centre: your best chance for close penguin views
Dunedin Tours, Otago Peninsula Wildlife Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wildlife, Wildlife Tours in Dunedin

Dunedin: Wildlife and Penguin Tour

6.Wildlife and Penguin Tour

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

Explore a private Otago Peninsula eco-reserve with guides such as Emma and Eden. The 90-minute tour combines a conservation film, rehabilitation-centre visit, bus ride, and 2-kilometre nature walk, with chances to see Yellow-eyed and little penguins, seals, sea lions, and native birds.

“Seeing the fur seals and blue penguins in the wild was amazing. Tour guide interesting and knowledgeable.”

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Otago Peninsula Wildlife Cruise with Monarch - What happens at Taiaroa Head
Boat Tours in Dunedin, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dunedin Tours, Otago Peninsula Wildlife Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife, Wildlife Tours in Dunedin

Otago Peninsula Wildlife Cruise with Monarch

7.Otago Peninsula Wildlife Cruise with Monarch

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

Join Monarch Wildlife Cruises at Wellers Rock Wharf for a one-hour Otago Harbour trip to Taiaroa Head. Crew members point out royal albatross, fur seals, sea lions, blue penguins, dolphins, and seabirds, with binoculars, warm jackets, commentary, and Wi-Fi included.

“Albatross, sea lions, seals, penguins and beautiful scenery. Guide was excellent. Very knowledgeable”

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Small Group Daytime 2-Hour Eco Wildlife Tour at Zealandia - Walking the forest and wetland tracks
2-Hour Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wellington Tours, Wildlife

Small Group Daytime 2-Hour Eco Wildlife Tour at Zealandia

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

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

Meet your guide at Zealandia’s Visitor Centre for a two-hour walk through forest and wetlands. You may spot kākā, tūī, bellbirds, takahē, tuatara, and green geckos while learning about the sanctuary’s 500-year conservation plan. Guides such as Ruth, Don, Gill, and Manuela have led recent walks.

“Our guide was very knowledgeable about the sanctuary and we saw some amazing birds. We learned about the history of the ecosystem in New Zealand.”

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Albatross, seals, and sea birds-Wildlife Cruise - Searching for albatross near Taiaroa Head
Boat Tours in Dunedin, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dunedin Tours, Otago Peninsula Wildlife Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife, Wildlife Tours in Dunedin

Albatross, seals, and sea birds-Wildlife Cruise

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

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

Join Captain Rachel McGregor aboard the small vessel Sootychaser for a 1.5 to 2-hour wildlife cruise from Port Chalmers or Portobello. Expect Otago Harbour views, albatross, fur seals, sea lions, penguins, seabirds, historic sites, binoculars, and clear onboard commentary.

“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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Motuara Wildlife Sanctuary Tour and Dolphin Cruise from Picton - Motuara Island and its bird sanctuary
Boat Tours in Picton, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Picton Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wildlife

Motuara Wildlife Sanctuary Tour and Dolphin Cruise from Picton

10.Motuara Wildlife Sanctuary Tour and Dolphin Cruise from Picton

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

From Picton, E-Ko’s 4.5-hour cruise searches for dusky, bottlenose, and Hector’s dolphins, fur seals, seabirds, and little penguins. You’ll walk Motuara Island with a guide, use free binoculars and species cards, and return with hot drinks, biscuits, and local wine on afternoon departures.

“This is more focused on birds and less on dolphins. Why we saw two dolphins. Fifteen minutes out of four hours was focused on the dolphins. Bird watching was outstanding. Many varieties. The island has a steep walk to the top The guide Will was outstanding. Extremely knowledgeable and fun. Dan the boat driver maneuvered the boat to allow everyone to view the birds.”

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Bay of Islands: Catamaran Sail, Wildlife Island & Lunch - Two hours across the Bay of Islands
Bay of Islands Tours, Boat Tours in the Bay of Islands, Cruises & Boat Tours, Lunch Experiences, Sailing, Sailing Trips in the Bay of Islands, Tour Reviews, Wildlife

Bay of Islands: Catamaran Sail, Wildlife Island & Lunch

11.Catamaran Sail, Wildlife Island & Lunch

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

Join Barefoot Sailing Adventures in Paihia for six hours on a comfortable catamaran with skipper Luke or another English-speaking guide. Sail among 144 islands, help at the tiller, then spend two hours on a sanctuary island snorkeling, paddleboarding, hiking, swimming, and eating a packed lunch.

“Very enjoyable and informative trip, and the simple picnic lunch was delicious. I was on my own and felt that I was given just the right balance of care and respect for solitude. It was great we could stop to watch some penguins swimming on the way, and I enjoyed my turn at the tiller.”

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Skip the Line: Franz Josef Wildlife Center Ticket with Optional Backstage Pass - The Backstage Pass and what it adds
Franz Josef Glacier Tours, Skip the Line, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Wildlife

Skip the Line: Franz Josef Wildlife Center Ticket with Optional Backstage Pass

12.Skip the Line: Franz Josef Wildlife Center Ticket with Optional Backstage Pass

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 160 reviews · from $40

Spend one to two hours at the Franz Josef Wildlife Centre seeing rare Rowi kiwi in a nocturnal house, live tuatara, glacier displays, and predator-control films. Add the small-group Backstage Pass for a guided look at kiwi conservation, led by rangers such as Steve or Devon.

“An excellent visit. Very interesting and informative with the chance to get up close to nature. It is well worth paying for the Backstage Pass - you get a a lot more detail and information plus a better understanding of the conservation work being undertaken. Thoroughly recommended.”

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Sunrise wildlife sea kayaking in Akaroa marine reserve - Getting comfortable in the kayak
Akaroa Tours, Canoes & Kayaks, Kayaking Trips in Akaroa, Morning, Tour Reviews, Wildlife

Sunrise wildlife sea kayaking in Akaroa marine reserve

13.Sunrise wildlife sea kayaking in Akaroa marine reserve

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

Start at 7:30 am with Akaroa Guided Kayaks and paddle into the marine reserve before the tour boats arrive. Guides such as James, John, and Peter share local stories while you look for Hector dolphins, seals, birds, and, with luck, penguins or orca. Light refreshments and on-water photos are included.

“Fantastic morning out on the water! Our guide was very knowledgeable on the area and provided us with interesting facts. We had a slight change of plans due to the good weather, so we were able to go further out. Guide communicated efficiently with the change and gave us a great morning.”

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Christchurch: Orana Wildlife Park Admission - The Giraffe Encounter Is the Main Event
Christchurch Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife

Christchurch: Orana Wildlife Park Admission

14.Orana Wildlife Park Admission

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 119 reviews · 1 day · from $23

Explore New Zealand’s only open-range zoo across 180 hectares. Use the free Safari Shuttle, follow daily wildlife presentations, hand-feed giraffes, see rhino up close, watch kiwi and native birds, and meet gorillas, cheetah, lions, reptiles, and farm animals.

“We had an enjoyable day at the park. It is well laid out and a flat walk which allows you to see all the major exhibitions easily. The giraffe feeding was a highlight. We were also impressed with the food on offer at the restaurant. It is a family friendly attraction well worth a visit.”

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Dunedin Wildlife Cruise-Albatross, seals and harbour - From Port Chalmers toward the Otago Peninsula
Boat Tours in Dunedin, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dunedin Tours, Otago Peninsula Wildlife Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife, Wildlife Tours in Dunedin

Dunedin Wildlife Cruise-Albatross, seals and harbour

15.Dunedin Wildlife Cruise-Albatross, seals and harbour

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

Join Rachel of Port To Port Cruises for a 90 to 120 minute wildlife cruise on Otago Harbour. From Port Chalmers or Portobello, you will watch for albatross, seals, sea lions, penguins, shags, and other birds, with binoculars, warm jackets, and live commentary supplied.

“Rachel did it all: piloted the boat, deckhand, and narrator! She shared her wildlife knowledge and answered all our questions.”

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New in Wildlife

★ 5.0Clearwater Private Penguin & Wildlife Tour from Port Otago (5hrs)7 reviews
★ 4.5Harbour, Albatross and Wildlife Cruise on Otago HarbourFrom $8022 reviews
★ 4.5Iconic Wildlife Tour with Yellow Eyed Penguins & Royal AlbatrossFrom $24533 reviews
★ 4.5Otago Harbour Wildlife Cruise (Dunedin Shore Excursion)From $8616 reviews
★ 5.0Larnach Castle Tour & Wildlife Cruise (Dunedin Shore Excursion)From $12125 reviews
★ 5.0Private Wildlife Kayaking Tour – KaikouraFrom $24844 reviews
★ 5.0Private Seal Kayaking and Wildlife Tour in KaikouraFrom $837 reviews
★ 5.0Wildlife and Penguin TourFrom $4627 reviews
★ 5.0Dunedin City to Sea Wildlife Cruise + Peninsula Bus TourFrom $7438 reviews
★ 5.0Otago Peninsula Wildlife Tour & CruiseFrom $14260 reviews
★ 5.0Coromandel Adventure and Wildlife Boat Tour to Aldermen IslandsFrom $1029 reviews
★ 3.5Akaroa Shore Excursion: Banks Peninsula, Christchurch City Tour and Willowbank Wildlife ReserveFrom $12326 reviews
★ 4.6Motuara Island Sanctuary: Wildlife & Dolphin Watching TourFrom $10057 reviews
★ 3.8Glacier, Heritage & Wildlife Centre Guided TourFrom $17513 reviews
★ 4.2West Coast Wildlife Centre Entry Ticket -48 hrsFrom $3833 reviews

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