Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari

Photos

Reviews

1. Nuala Power ★★★★★

   What a delightful experience! I really appreciated the excellent communication and the ability to rebook if the weather is unruly, and the vouchers to come again if you don’t see anything. The crew are really friendly, warm and very professional. They are a scientific research vessel as well, so offer as much expertise as you are interested in and happy to answer any questions. The boat is really comfortable and well maintained. Refreshments are sold onboard. We saw lots of very playful dolphins families. Awesome trip highly recommended!

   almost 3 months ago
2. J. H. ★★★★★

   Attended the safari and it was absolutely worth it. Since they have a conservation collaboration with the university of Auckland, the tour is very scientific based with parts of practical and theoretical research, which I loved. Very polite and friendly staff and a respectful way with the animals. Also great for solo travellers.

   almost 3 months ago
3. Kingston CONT ★★★★★

   I had the most amazing experience sailing with Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari. From the very beginning, the crew impressed me, they are not only friendly and welcoming but also highly professional, clearly passionate about what they do. As we departed from the dock, we were treated to stunning views of Auckland’s skyline, with its iconic buildings standing proudly in the distance. The coastal scenery and nearby islands along the way made the journey even more breathtaking. Out at sea, the experience became truly magical. We encountered an abundant number of dolphins, playful and not shy at all, making the moment unforgettable. Above us, plenty of seabirds circled gracefully, a clear sign of life teeming beneath the waters. With patience, there was also the chance to spot whales. As our guide explained, sightings can be unpredictable, sometimes you’re lucky enough to see them up close or even breach, sometimes they stay hidden. But that unpredictability is part of the beauty of observing wildlife in its natural environment. Overall, this safari was extraordinary. The combination of spectacular sailing views, the abundance of marine life, and a crew dedicated to making the journey enjoyable and informative made it an experience I’ll never forget. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Auckland.

   almost 6 months ago

1. Christina Tse ★★★★★

   Had the most amazing once in a lifetime experience on this safari. We were booked on a weekend cruise but due to weather it was cancelled but it was super easy to rebook onto another day which went ahead and it was AMAZING!!! We were extremely lucky that day to see hundreds of dolphins in a feeding frenzy where many whales came to feed ( we saw about 10/11 whales that day!) they did say this wasn’t what they see all the time and we were very fortunate. The staff were just as excited as us and they were excellent along with the informative commentary, would 1000% go again and recommend to everyone as they also do it for conservation! This will be a trip I’ll never forget!

   almost 6 months ago
2. Merrin Gemmell ★★★★★

   A well-run experience with stellar communication From the moment I booked, the communication was outstanding—clear updates via email and genuine care throughout. Today was an absolutely beautiful day for the safari, and while we didn’t have any sightings this time, the team handled it thoughtfully. Everyone was personally spoken to and offered a voucher for another trip, which I really appreciated. I’m looking forward to going again! Unfortunately, a few fellow guests weren't as considerate—some seemed disengaged and let their young ones run wild, which affected the overall atmosphere. That’s not the company’s fault, and they did well to remain composed and professional. Overall, a well-organized and generous experience that I’d recommend—and fingers crossed for some wildlife next time!

   almost 7 months ago
3. Anne Laure G. ★★★★★

   Amazing experience! Because of weather conditions, they wrote to me offering a new slot or a total refund. We rescheduled for the next week and the experience was truly amazing! We was lucky enough to see dolphins, whales and penguins during the cruise. Also, the great value of this cruise is the crew members who are very engaged regarding the protection of the sea and the marine animals, bringing awareness and educate about the marine life. Recommended 1000%

   almost 2 years ago

1. Ken Ng ★★★★★

   Amazing experience!!! Managed to see dolphins swimming right next to us, the team was very friendly and this made my day. Thank you for providing the vouchers after missing the dolphins at my first trip.

   almost 2 years ago
2. Gavin Fitzgerald ★★★★★

   Note: not guaranteed to see things Crew are great, super informed and friendly Boat is very comfortable We saw 'Common Dolphins', for at least 20 minutes they swam along the boat and we learned a lot about them and what they eat. Tasty toasties were available in the shop on board as well as coffee and snacks (bring a keep cup for your hot drinks for a good discount!).

   almost 2 years ago
3. Qu3va .R ★★★★☆

   We saw lots of common dolphins which I have never seen (I'm from the south island) . It was super cool. We witnessed a feeding frenzy and a nursy pod. The tram was really friendly and super knowledgeable. They were friendly and easy to chat to or ask any of your questions. I found being on the boat very relaxing and on the trip back had a nap. Unfortunately, we didn't see a whale of another aquatic animal. We, of course , saw birds, and we were informed of how they were part of the food chain and how they helped us find the dolphins we were there to see.

   almost 2 years ago

1. Jessica Catley ★★★★★

   We had a great trip and seen so many dolphins I lost count, loads of different pods, lots of baby ones and they came so close to the boat you could see them all so clearly it was breathtaking, definitely made up for that fact we didn’t see any whales. We also seen a fur seal, penguins, lots of birds and a great commentary, the team explained everything very well and it was a beautiful day for it so we enjoyed ourselves!

   almost 2 years ago

FAQs