Join us for a fully guided 2-hour Wildlife & Otago Harbour Cruise, departing from Port Chalmers, a 5–10 minute easy, flat walk from the Port Chalmers Cruise Ship Terminal.

Your Cruise Includes

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  Professional skipper and expert local guide
  


• 
  Live commentary throughout the cruise
  


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  Small group experience
  


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  Quality binoculars to borrow (adults)
  


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  Complimentary wildlife information sheets to keep
  


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  Comfortable seating with a large partially sheltered viewing deck
  

Wildlife We Look For

Our cruise focuses primarily on seabirds and the Northern Royal Albatross at Taiaroa Head.

Depending on the season and conditions, we may see:

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  Northern Royal Albatross
  


• Seals
• Sea lions
• 
  Little Blue Penguins (sometimes)


• 
  Shags and cormorants
  


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  Shearwaters, petrels, prions, gannets, terns and other seabirds
  


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  Spoonbills, oystercatchers, black swans, stilts, godwits, herons and more
  

-Other albatross sepecies

-Dolphins or other marine mammals (on super lucky day!)

Please note: Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but our experienced guides know the best places to look.

Along the Way

Discover the fascinating history of Otago Harbour, including:

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  Taiaroa Head Lighthouse
  


• 
  Port Chalmers working port
  


• 
  Quarantine Island
  


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  Whaling and sealing history
  


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  Historic harbour pilot houses
  


• 
  Harbour hulks
  


• 
  Dunedin's extinct volcano
  


• 
  Māori and European history
  

Important Information

This special cruise operates aboard MV Truby King, a spacious vessel with a large covered viewing deck and comfortable seating. The experience is led by Rachel, together with carefully selected professional skippers and expert local wildlife guides.

These special departures are offered when our usual vessel is fully booked. If you would prefer to travel on our standard vessel,  please contact us and we'll be happy to advise if and when the next available spaces open up.

What to Bring

Bring warm clothing, your camera and your sense of adventure. As we travel into the harbour and occasionally out to sea, expect cool winds and the possibility of light sea spray.

Cruise Ship Visitors

Our departure point is approximately 700 metres (5–10 minutes' walk) from the cruise terminal. If your ship's schedule changes, we'll always do our best to accommodate you where possible.

Optional Extra

Why not combine your cruise with our Port To Port Cycle Ferry? At the end of your wildlife cruise, we can drop you across the harbour so you can complete the spectacular Otago Harbour Cycle Loop. Just ask when booking!