Auckland's Whale and Dolphin Safari...

16 Rankers Reviews

12 Face-to-Face

2 Whale Watching

12 Dolphin Watching

Maps

Photos

Whales are seen on an incredible 75% of trips!
Dolphins on almost every trip (93%), those are good odds!
The 'Dolphin Explorer' - 20 meter purpose-built PowerCat
Up close and personal with the Hauraki Gulf locals

Information

Auckland's Whale and Dolphin Safari

The Whale and Dolphin Safari of a lifetime is available right here in Auckland. Encounter whales and dolphins in their natural environment guaranteed. Daily departures from the Auckland Viaduct.

Auckland's Whale and Dolphin Safari takes you out on the beautiful Hauraki Gulf - considered one the most biologically and geographically diverse marine parks in the world. Over 22 species of whales & dolphins have been seen in the Gulf. We have encountered marine mammals on well over 90% of our trips, the highest success rate of any marine mammal operation in NZ. The experienced crew ensure the most comfortable and informative day possible is provided onboard the luxury 20m power catamaran. Departs daily from the Viaduct Harbour in down-town Auckland city.

Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

Auckland's Whale and Dolphin Safari

Commercial organisation

Location

North IslandAuckland RegionAuckland

Categories

  • Activity__whale_watchingWhale Watching
  • Activity__dolphin_watchingDolphin Watching

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-36.842641

174.763319

Latitude
-36.842641
Longitude
174.763319

Reviews

    • Unable to book swim due to ocean conditions.
    • The guides were great!
    • Got the kids up front to see all the dolphins.
    • It was a good experience, once on the boat.
    • The dolphins were so close to the boat.
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 4
    25%
    9/10 3
    19%
    8/10 8
    50%
    7/10 1
    6%
    6/10 0
    0%
    5/10 0
    0%
    4/10 0
    0%
    3/10 0
    0%
    2/10 0
    0%
    1/10 0
    0%
  • 4.0/5

    We had an absolute stunning experience with the crew Sana Emily and the rest.

    They made us feel welcome and extra attention was given to our son Asher who turned 9. They made him feel extra special and sang to him too. They made all efforts to ensure everyone on board had an amazing experience. Thank you team. Warren Sam and Asher

    Reviewed 6 months ago

    Samantha's avatar

    Samantha

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Great crew who are very knowledgeable and made the entire safari that much better by educating everyone on board about our marine mammals.

    We saw bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins with babies and even a Bryde’s whale teaching it’s calf to hunt. Awesome experience would definitely recommend.

    Reviewed about 2 years ago

    L T's avatar

    L T

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    The dolphins were so close to the boat.

    Amazing.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016

  • 5.0/5

    Got the kids up front to see all the dolphins.

    Reviewed over 14 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    I really enjoyed this fantastic trip, where we were lucky enough to be a very small group and to see lots of dolphins and even one whale + calf despite difficult weather conditions.

    The boat is great for whale watching, as it's a catamaran and you can stand right at the tip of the boat (if you're not afraid of getting wet) and have the dolphins swimming literally all around you.

    I'm also a bird enthiusiast and the birding was great - lots of sea birds and a very knowledgeable captain.

    Only reason for not getting a 10/10 from me : the price is rather expensive.

    Reviewed about 13 years ago

    FRANCE
    pepette31's avatar

    pepette31

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    Good staff, funny captain.

    He even let me steer the boat :)

    Reviewed over 14 years ago

    BRAZIL
    friasj's avatar

    friasj

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    Unable to book swim due to ocean conditions.

    So wet as a sightseer only. Heavy seas so nobody able to swim as cold not fun/dophins - full money paid back.

    Reviewed over 14 years ago

    UNITED KINGDOM
    Shirley  C's avatar

    Shirley C

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    Good organisation.

    Nice guides. Many information about dolphins. But we only saw one baby dolphin and it was not allowed to swim with them..

    Reviewed over 13 years ago and experienced in February 2011

    GERMANY
    mr Schumader's avatar

    mr Schumader

    Customer

  • 3.5/5

    Nice afternoon out on the sea with heaps of dolphins, but no whales!

    No guarantee for whales apparently, but still very informative and relaxed.

    Reviewed over 14 years ago

    SWITZERLAND
    Marc's avatar

    Marc

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    We had an absolute stunning experience with the crew Sana Emily and the rest.

    They made us feel welcome and extra attention was given to our son Asher who turned 9. They made him feel extra special and sang to him too. They made all efforts to ensure everyone on board had an amazing experience. Thank you team. Warren Sam and Asher

    Reviewed 6 months ago

    Samantha's avatar

    Samantha

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Great crew who are very knowledgeable and made the entire safari that much better by educating everyone on board about our marine mammals.

    We saw bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins with babies and even a Bryde’s whale teaching it’s calf to hunt. Awesome experience would definitely recommend.

    Reviewed about 2 years ago

    L T's avatar

    L T

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    The dolphins were so close to the boat.

    Amazing.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016

  • 4.5/5

    I really enjoyed this fantastic trip, where we were lucky enough to be a very small group and to see lots of dolphins and even one whale + calf despite difficult weather conditions.

    The boat is great for whale watching, as it's a catamaran and you can stand right at the tip of the boat (if you're not afraid of getting wet) and have the dolphins swimming literally all around you.

    I'm also a bird enthiusiast and the birding was great - lots of sea birds and a very knowledgeable captain.

    Only reason for not getting a 10/10 from me : the price is rather expensive.

    Reviewed about 13 years ago

    FRANCE
    pepette31's avatar

    pepette31

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    Good organisation.

    Nice guides. Many information about dolphins. But we only saw one baby dolphin and it was not allowed to swim with them..

    Reviewed over 13 years ago and experienced in February 2011

    GERMANY
    mr Schumader's avatar

    mr Schumader

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    Unable to book swim due to ocean conditions.

    So wet as a sightseer only. Heavy seas so nobody able to swim as cold not fun/dophins - full money paid back.

    Reviewed over 14 years ago

    UNITED KINGDOM
    Shirley  C's avatar

    Shirley C

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Got the kids up front to see all the dolphins.

    Reviewed over 14 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    Nice afternoon out on the sea with heaps of dolphins, but no whales!

    No guarantee for whales apparently, but still very informative and relaxed.

    Reviewed over 14 years ago

    SWITZERLAND
    Marc's avatar

    Marc

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    Good staff, funny captain.

    He even let me steer the boat :)

    Reviewed over 14 years ago

    BRAZIL
    friasj's avatar

    friasj

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    We saw many dolphins, unfortunately no whales.

    Reviewed almost 15 years ago

    SWITZERLAND
    ursinab's avatar

    ursinab

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    The guides were great!

    Very informative. The ship was very clean inside and very comfortable to ride on. It got windy, but the ride was smooth. They located 2 different types of dolphins for us to see.

    Reviewed over 15 years ago

    CANADA
    Donna's avatar

    Donna

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    At first a Whale & Dolphin in Auckland but no whales or dolphins.

    So we got a voucher which we could use in the Bay of Islands! Another beautiful experience!

    Reviewed over 16 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    It was a good experience, once on the boat.

    They had an entertaining skipper and the dolphins were a given.

    Only reason for not getting a top score was a slightly chaotic payment system prior to boarding and a no show from the whales.

    Good attraction! Skip Pahia!

    Reviewed almost 17 years ago

    NEW ZEALAND
    Steve Peake's avatar

    Steve Peake

    Customer