Wildlife Tour Plus Cruise Combo

Otago Peninsula Wildlife Tour & Cruise

★ 4.8 68 reviews

from $130.51 per person

Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Duration: 6 hours 30 minutes
Group: Small group, maximum 20 travellers
Meeting point: Confirmed after booking
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Run by: Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours

Overview

This six-and-a-half-hour outing from Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours pairs a guided drive around the Otago Peninsula with an hour on the water, and it packs in several very different wildlife experiences. The vehicle tour covers the peninsula itself, with a stop at Allans Beach. Then comes the boat: a Monarch Wildlife Cruise from Wellers Rock Wharf along the coast, where reviewers regularly report albatross, fur seals and, for some, penguins swimming past.

After the cruise, the tour visits the Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration Alliance, where reviewers report yellow-eyed penguins, and one reviewer described a yellow-eyed penguin emerging from the ocean at dusk. A guide rides along the whole way with live commentary, and binoculars and warm waterproof jackets are supplied. Meals and drinks are not included, so a packed lunch is the standard advice.

It suits travellers with moderate fitness who want a full, varied day and do not mind a long one. Reviewers report sea lions, seals and many bird species logged along the route, and one said the pace never felt rushed despite covering a lot of ground. The group is capped at 20, and the tour is not wheelchair accessible, though pushchairs are fine.

Where this tour sits among 5 tours in Otago Peninsula Wildlife Tours listed here (from-price per person, USD)

Wildlife Tour Plus Cruise Combo (this tour)$130.51
Farm Beach Access, 4WD$131
Clearwater Small Group, Max 10$133.34
Scenery and OPERA Conservation$187.25
Penguin Tour With Pickup$189

What's Included

Included

Guided Otago Peninsula tour by air-conditioned vehicle
1-hour Monarch Wildlife Cruise
Live commentary from local guide
Complimentary binoculars and warm waterproof jackets
GST (Goods and Services Tax)

Not Included

Meals or drinks

Itinerary

Otago Peninsula driveRoughly 2 hours touring the peninsula by air-conditioned vehicle with live commentary from a local guide.
Allans BeachA 1-hour stop at the beach, with admission ticket included.
Monarch Wildlife CruiseA 1-hour cruise from Wellers Rock Wharf. Travellers report albatross, fur seals and sometimes penguins in the water.
Eco Restoration Alliance1.5 hours at the Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration Alliance. Reviewers report yellow-eyed penguins here, at the penguin sanctuary and reserve.

What To Expect From The Tour

A long day with several stops, a boat trip and a fair amount of standing and walking, so a little preparation goes a long way.

$130.51from, per person

6 hours 30 minutesduration

4.8across 68 guest reviews

20guests at most

Bring a lunch. Meals and drinks are not included, and travellers should bring a packed lunch. One reviewer suggests snacks and water as well, since the day runs long.
Pack rain gear. Warm waterproof jackets are provided, along with binoculars, but one reviewer still recommends bringing your own rain gear. Bring your own binoculars too if you have a good pair.
Pace and fitness. Moderate physical fitness is required, and the day covers a wide range of sites. Reviewers describe it as a long, busy day, but say the pace never felt rushed.
Group feel. The tour is capped at 20 travellers, and one reviewer praised the small group size. Another found the onboard sound system faulty and the guide hard to follow, so clarity can vary.
Camera moments. Reviewers report albatross, sea lions, fur seals and yellow-eyed penguins across the day, so a camera is worth carrying. Binoculars are provided on the tour.
Wildlife is wild. Sightings vary. Most reviewers log an impressive species list, but one reported few animals and felt the timing was poor for penguins. Bring realistic expectations rather than a checklist.

Ready To GoCheck availability →

Common issues. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, requires moderate fitness and can be cancelled if weather is poor or a minimum number of travellers is not met; in those cases a different date or a full refund is offered. Meals and drinks are excluded. A couple of reviewers were disappointed: one found too much time spent picking up passengers and a faulty sound system, another felt the group was too large and saw few animals. Check the booking page for hotel pickup details before assuming anything about where the day starts.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

The guided peninsula tour by air-conditioned vehicle, the 1-hour Monarch Wildlife Cruise, live commentary, binoculars, warm waterproof jackets and GST are all included. Admission tickets for Allans Beach, the cruise and the Eco Restoration Alliance are covered as well.

Is Food Included?

No. Meals and drinks are excluded, and travellers should bring a packed lunch. One reviewer also recommends snacks and water for the long day.

How Long Is The Tour?

It runs 6.5 hours in total, covering the peninsula drive, Allans Beach, the cruise and the visit to the Eco Restoration Alliance. Reviews confirm it is a full, busy day.

Is Hotel Pickup Provided?

Check the live booking page for the meeting point and pickup arrangements before you book. One reviewer did mention time spent collecting other passengers during the day.

Is The Tour Suitable For Children Or People With Limited Mobility?

The tour is not wheelchair accessible, but pushchairs are allowed and infants must sit on laps. Service animals are permitted, the meeting area is near public transport, and travellers should have a moderate level of physical fitness because of the walking involved.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window no refund or changes are accepted. The tour also needs good weather and a minimum number of travellers; if it is cancelled for either reason, you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.