Auckland Dolphin and Whale Watching Eco-Safari Cruise
Recommended by 91% of travelers
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Auckland, New Zealand
- 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Cruise Auckland's Hauraki Gulf Marine Park on a 4.5-hour eco safari to spot whales, dolphins, seals, and rare seabirds. Enjoy expert commentary and close encounters with diverse marine wildlife in stunning island scenery, departing from downtown Auckland's Viaduct Harbour.
- 4.5-hour eco safari featuring whales, dolphins, seals, and rare seabirds
- Expert commentary from marine research scientists
- Scenic views of Auckland’s islands and marine park
- Departs from Viaduct Harbour in downtown Auckland
What's Included
- 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
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Eastern Viaduct, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Our boat is at Berth 9, Eastern Viaduct Marina, accessed from the end of Quay Street heading West. This is opposite the Maritime Museum. On arrival look for our crew at the top of our boarding ramp to check in 30 minutes before departure (check-in closes 15 minutes prior to trip time).
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Meet the boat crew at the top of the ramp near Berth 9, in the Eastern Viaduct Marina, opposite the Maritime Museum, 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.
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.
1
New Zealand Maritime Museum
2
Viaduct Harbour
3
Auckland Harbour Bridge
4
Rangitoto Island
5
Waitemata Harbour
6
Hauraki Gulf
7
Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari
8
Motuihe Island
9
Motutapu Island
10
Tiritiri Matangi Island
11
North Head Historic Reserve
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Most travelers can participate
- 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
- IMPORTANT: Check in closes 15 minutes prior to stated departure time. Those passengers who are late risk losing their allocated seats.
- If mobility impaired and a wheelchair is required, please contact operator directly to discuss requirements
- Child ticket must be purchased for any infants travelling.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 99 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Danielle_R
What a beautiful day on the water. Very little wind, sunny, and the water was deep blue perfection. The guide was fantastic and super knowledgeable. The crew was kind and attentive but also left us alone so we could fully experience the peace and tranquility of the open water. We saw three different pods of Harbor Dolphins and many birds. Thank you for this amazing day at sea.
Reviews
4.6
based on 1,876 reviews
Gareth_R, May 2026
This was great. Passionate crew who clearly loved their job and were respectful toward the wildlife. We saw dolphins and whales. Would recommend.
Tam_A, May 2026
Glad to cruise with friendly and helpful staff. I enjoyed the cruise. Highly encourage to cruise with them if possible.
Bela_S, May 2026
Pack warm clothes!
Waterproof would be even better if you plan to stand at the front of the boat.
Passionate staff, very informative
Donald_P, May 2026
It was nice but barely saw a whale but saw lots of dolfins. Loved the marine biologist narrations as we saw animals
Matthew_T, Apr 2026
First of all, naming names, a huge shoutout to the entire team, i especially had a great time getting to chat with Sana about the marine wildlife, and was able to get a good picture about the diving scene in North island, Sana was extremely knowledgeable about the best spots to go in North island for diving, and i enjoyed our interactions discussing the impact of Urchin barrens, and their impact on marine ecosystems in both Australia and New Zealand.
Throughout the rest of the trip, Kayla was great at pointing out and discussing the wildlife we saw during the tour, but always knew when to just let the tour group enjoy the moment, never over-explaining or adding unnecessary commentary just to fill silence.
Overall the entire experience was nothing short of breath taking, it was a privilege to be able to get so close to such beautiful wildlife, and me and my partner walked away with a commitment to be more aware of how we wash our clothes, or what we consume after being educated during an after-tour presentation on the environmental impacts of current typical societal behaviours.
Safe to say we won't be using single-use plastics anytime soon.
Thanks again team for the tour, the next time we come back to NZ, we'll be doing some Diving.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Kia Ora,
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a detailed and thoughtful review, it truly means a lot to us. We’re delighted to hear the crew made such a great impression, and we hope you’re feeling well prepared for your next diving trip here.
It’s also really encouraging to hear that your experience has inspired you to reflect on your habits and consider more sustainable choices going forward. We really appreciate you choosing to join us onboard, and thank you again for sharing such a lovely review.
Many Thanks,
Madeline and the AWADS Team
JaeHun_L, Apr 2026
Although we didn’t get to see any whales or penguins, we were happy to see lots of dolphins instead!
Darcy_M, Apr 2026
The staff was very focused on bringing us the best experience possible. We had a calm sunny day so we saw hundreds of dolphins, and two whales. The boat was 60% full so we could move around easily. Excellent excursion.
Kathleen_G, Apr 2026
Our trip started out with helping a Little Penguin safely move away from the vessel. A few of us noticed it and brought it to the crew's attention. The crew were very concerned and compassionate about the penguin and did all the right things to ensure its safety before heading out. For me, that really spoke to their commitment to marine animals and that alone made my experience on the catamaran complete before we even left the dock.
The trip was excellent. The crew are all knowledgeable about marine life and shared many facts and kept a close eye out for sealife. I love being out on the salt water getting sprayed. I was dressed for it and I would recommend that anyone going out on the safari, dress warmly and wear rain gear unless you choose to stay off the bow. We saw various sea birds and common dolphins. That was lovely. The crew handed out vouchers for a free safari (that don't expire) because we didn't see any whales. That's pretty awesome, in my books.
It's a great 4 hours, especially if you love getting out on the salt water and hanging out with some marine life 😊.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Kia Ora,
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a detailed review! We’re delighted to hear the crew made a positive impression, and especially that their care for and protection of marine mammals stood out to you. We hope you took away some new knowledge, and we appreciate you choosing to join us onboard.
Many Thanks,
Madeline and the AWADS Team
Deanna_D, Apr 2026
Fantastic crew, views, and commentary by the crew. It was a magical experience that I will never forget
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Kia Ora Deanna,
Thank you for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear the crew made such a positive impression, and we hope you were able to take away some new knowledge. Thank you for joining us onboard!
Many Thanks,
Madeline and the AWADS Team
David_S, Apr 2026
You may not see a whale but you will learn a lot .The crew worked hard to find a whale sighting but without success .We did meet a pod of dolphins which was good
Andrew_N, Apr 2026
Really knowledgeable staff, great vessel to travel on and good presentations. Didn’t see whales but a bucketload of dolphins.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Kia Ora,
Thank you for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear the crew made such a positive impression, and it’s wonderful that you were able to see so many dolphins. We really appreciate you joining us on board!
Many Thanks,
Madeline and the AWADS Team
Shawana_b, Apr 2026
We enjoyed seeing the whales, dolphins, penguins and sea birds. It would have been better if the captain had maneuvered the boat so all passengers could have had a better view; other than the few passengers that could get on the front of the boat.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Kia Ora,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review! It sounds like you had some fantastic sightings during your safari. We also appreciate your feedback about fair opportunity at the front railing, our crew do actively encourage this, but your comments have been shared with our Operations team. Thank you for joining us on board!
Many Thanks,
Madeline and the AWADS Team
Sally_S, Apr 2026
It was a brilliant day. Make sure you take sun screen & warm outer clothing even if it’s warm in the city. We saw both dolphins & Orca whales. The crew are great & so knowledgeable
Bruce_G, Apr 2026
Bad weather. Trip canceled. But they refunded the fees. Would have been fun. Maybe next time. Hope so
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Kia Ora Bruce_G,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. Please be assured that the safety and comfort of our guests are always our top priority. We carefully monitor sea and weather conditions right up until travel, following a thorough process to determine whether conditions are within our safe operating limits. If you’d like to discuss your experience further, we’d be happy to hear from you, please feel free to email us at bookings@awads.co.nz. Thank you again for your feedback, and we hope to welcome you on board in the future!
Many Thanks,
Madeline and the AWADS Team
Dawn_B, Mar 2026
The crew was very informative. They pointed out the mammals and birds around the craft. We saw several dolphins and 2 whales crested the water.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Kia Ora Dawn_B,
Thank you for your kind words! We hope you were able to take away some new facts from our very knowledgeable crew. We really appreciate you choosing to join us onboard!
Many Thanks,
Madeline and the AWADS Team
Bradley_C, Mar 2026
A perfect day on a very good boat for watching sea life. The guides were all degreed in dolphins etc and used the tour to gather scientific data on what we saw. Following bird signs in the huge bay, we found two huge pods of dolphins who played for us in the bow pressure wave in clear waters. They estimated one pod at 80 including a baby and we had easily a dozen playing right under our feet in the twin bows of the catamaran. In between sightings were video lectures on what we were seeing and the scientific studies in the bay. For those who wanted a snack, the galley had a variety of foods. Viewing indoors and out had the weather not been so beautiful.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Kia Ora Bradley,
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a detailed review! What an amazing dolphin encounter, and even a baby dolphin too! We hope you enjoyed learning some new facts from our very knowledgeable crew and really appreciate you choosing to travel with us.
Many Thanks,
Madeline and the AWADS Team
Sampath_C, Mar 2026
I loved this tour, watched around 25 dolphins for such a long time as they were swimming so close to our catamaran. I also loved to see dozens of the birds diving into the ocean and observed a whale.
Carolyn_P, Mar 2026
I gotta give a solid shoutout to our crew for the day my husband and I went with! Let’s hear it for George, Laurie, Hannah, Toni and Graeme! I was so impressed with their knowledge and love of the marine life. It was quite impressive! Their excitement and love was palpable. It was a very safe ride and we were always reminded to hold on and when we’d possibly get wet (I loved staying right in the front!). We were able to spot penguins, gannets, dolphins and a Bryde’s whale! They were determined to give us a good look at him without overstepping boundaries and keeping him safe. My only disappointment was not seeing any orcas but I knew that was a longshot! I highly recommend this tour when visiting Auckland.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Kia Ora,
Thank you for your detailed review! We’re so happy to hear that our crew left a great impression and that you had such amazing sightings on your trip.
Many Thanks,
Madeline and the AWADS Team
John_P, Mar 2026
It was a well worth visit with plenty of interactions with dolphin pods and a Whale . Well worth the cost. The crew were friendly and informative throughout
Lauren_M, Mar 2026
We had a truly lovely time spotting all kinds of different animals including native blue penguins, hammerhead sharks, dolphins, and plenty of seabirds. The crew of Kayla, Emily, Hannah, and Benji were delightful and informative. I learned about phytoplankton, gannets, and of course- about cetaceans. Our initial trip was booked for the morning, but unfortunately we weren't able to see any mammals. The team immediately gave us vouchers, and we were able to get on that afternoon's safari which is when we saw everything I listed above. The boat was super comfortable, and the scenery was beautiful. I highly recommend this safari!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Kia Ora,
Thank you for your kind words! What an amazing array of marine mammal sightings you experienced! We’re so glad our crew left such a positive impression as well. Wishing you safe travels ahead!
Many Thanks,
Madeline and the AWADS Team
Rico_D, Mar 2026
We didn’t see any whales on this trip but we saw several common dolphins. Some came close to the boat. Fascinating animals. These trips main function is to collect data to understand the beautiful creatures they encounter. We are glad our fair contributes towards this cause.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Kia Ora Rico_D,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review! We’re sorry the whales were a bit shy during your trip, but glad you still got to see some dolphins. We really appreciate you choosing to join us onboard!
Many Thanks,
Madeline and the AWADS Team
Scott_S, Mar 2026
This was a wonderful morning journey exploring the bay. Although we did not see any whales while on the morning safari we however did see a few dolphins pods feeding and also saw a few babies. We also saw the fin of a hammerhead shark and plenty of blue penguins. The team onboard, Kelly, George, Laurie and Emily were really knowledgeable. Definitely would highly recommend.
Yaoxin_Q, Mar 2026
Very good tour! Professional guide. We see a lot of dolphins. They managed to find whale, so we see them all.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Kia Ora,
Thank you for your kind words! Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re so pleased you got to see so many dolphins on your safari, as well as a whale. We really appreciate you joining us onboard!
Many Thanks,
Madeline and the AWADS Team
Carrie_T, Mar 2026
Was a wonderful experience seeing penguins, hammerhead sharks and dolphins. The information provided on the tour about the dolphins was very interesting.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Kia Ora Carrie_T,
Thank you for your lovely review! It sounds like you had some fantastic marine mammal sightings on your trip. We hope you picked up a few interesting new facts along the way. Wishing you safe travels ahead!
Many Thanks,
Madeline and the AWADS Team
Gladys_S, Mar 2026
I debated on giving four stars or five. Decided you guys deserve the 5 because my discomfort was not within your realm of control. The team was outstanding providing detailed instructions for the group’s safety and making every effort to see to our enjoyment. Seeing the dolphins up close and personal was an amazing experience. No whale sightings but the dolphins and birds provided a spectacular show. Photos provided for purchase but wish the link were emailed in addition to QR code onsite.
Lee_K, Mar 2026
Very pleasant time saw lots of dolphins, sea birds and even penguins. Crew was very friendly and knowledgeabe.
Ron_S, Mar 2026
Excellent experience. Plenty of dolphins, no whales. Crew were very knowledgeable and engaging. Highly recommended.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Kia Ora Ron_S,
Thank you for your lovely review! We’re so happy the crew made such a positive impression and hope you picked up some new knowledge during your time onboard. Thank you for your recommendation!
Many Thanks,
Madeline and the AWADS Team
Danielle_R, Mar 2026
What a beautiful day on the water. Very little wind, sunny, and the water was deep blue perfection. The guide was fantastic and super knowledgeable. The crew was kind and attentive but also left us alone so we could fully experience the peace and tranquility of the open water. We saw three different pods of Harbor Dolphins and many birds. Thank you for this amazing day at sea.
annette_v, Mar 2026
Very hard to hear the commentary from back of ship
We saw a lot of Dolphins. Couldn’t understand the guy . Talked too fadt
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Kia Ora,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review! We’re sorry to hear that the commentary was difficult to hear and would really appreciate the chance to hear more about your experience. If you’d like to get in touch, please reach out to bookings@awads.co.nz with your booking details. We’re glad, however, that you were able to enjoy the abundance of dolphins. Wishing you safe travels ahead!
Many Thanks,
Madeline and the AWADS Team
lynn_b, Mar 2026
Excellent experience would highly recommend but wouldn't take small children. Crew were very attentive if you felt unwell.
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