Reviews and travel ratings on Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours in New Zealand (90% from 34 reviews) albatross, penguins, seals & much more

Join Rankers or Sign In to review this experience.

Supplied Content

Open Ranker Content

Traveller Tips

  1. Dunedin
  1. sarahsez's avatar

    Sarah

    United States

    For fresh veggies and food go to the farmers markets – held every Saturday morning down at the Station Buildings

    19 November 2010.

    Staticmap?zoom=12&size=188x96&maptype=roadmap&markers=color:red|-45

Free Activities & Attractions

Reviews for Monarch Wildlife Cruises...

Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours
VAGABOND's avatar

VAGABOND

New Zealand

Ranking: 10/10

Initially, I thought the $89.00 cost was somewhat expensive, but once I was aboard and on my way - albeit I was the only…

Initially, I thought the $89.00 cost was somewhat expensive, but once I was aboard and on my way - albeit I was the only passenger for the first part of the journey, I began to appreciate my new surroundings. A neat little wooden [former] fishing vessel, the MV Monarch was the ideal boat to undertake this particular harbour trip. Detailed information was offered by Ed' and the [lady] skipper about Otago Harbour and the surrounding countryside. The biting wind was largely neutralised by complimentary padded wind-breakers and the sights magnified by binoculars. Once Taiaroa Heads was insight the magnificent albatrosses came into view. And, not just the everyday variety but, according to Ed' and the skipper, species not regularly observed, along with numerous other bird-life that delighted in skimming the surface and flying alongside. Hundreds of birds rest and nest on the Heads with barking seals sunning themselves on the rocks below. For a landlubber like myself it was quite an emotional reckoning to see such special wildlife living their lives in natural and secure surroundings and being taken care of by caring and responsible people such as those who operate the MV Monarch, My return boat journey concluded at Wellers Rock from where I was driven back to the city which permitted magnificent views of the Otago Peninsula and Dunedin City itself.

Reviewed 29 January 2012

Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours
shutt's avatar

Geoff Shutt

United Kingdom

Ranking: 10/10

A dull wet day brought alive by the trip to see albatross, dolphin and other wildlife.

Well informed and helpful crew m…

A dull wet day brought alive by the trip to see albatross, dolphin and other wildlife.

Well informed and helpful crew made it such a worthwhile time.

Reviewed 7 months ago and experienced in May 2011

Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours
juergenw's avatar

Juergen Wolf

Germany

Ranking: 7/10

Seen Yellow Eyed Penguins, Royal Albatross and seals.

Seen Yellow Eyed Penguins, Royal Albatross and seals.

Reviewed 12 April 2011

Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours
chrissie2011's avatar

chrissie2011

United Kingdom

Ranking: 10/10

An unplanned trip but one I was very glad to have made. The boat was fine and it was really good to have the jackets and…

An unplanned trip but one I was very glad to have made. The boat was fine and it was really good to have the jackets and binoculars. Most important the captain and crew (I think it was Nigel and Craig - apologies if names wrong) were both knowledgeable and enthusiastic about all the wildlife and went out of their way to get the boat to where we would see the most. We saw the nesting great albatross from a distance but lots of other albatross and other birds out at sea and also a spread of krill which was attracting the birds. We saw the spoonbills nesting and great groups of seals and had excellent explanations about behaviours - the beach masters and so on. All in all an excellent trip and good value.

Reviewed 30 January 2011

Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours
rainbowcoaster's avatar

Lizzie

Australia

Ranking: 8/10

I did this trip in the rain in 1997 and again in sunshine (and quite a swell) this month. We had wonderful views of the …

I did this trip in the rain in 1997 and again in sunshine (and quite a swell) this month. We had wonderful views of the albatrosses, seals and other wildlife and of the beautiful Otago Harbour and Peninsula. And for a flatlander from Western Australia it was great to see the peninsula with a local expert driving on those steep winding roads. Highly recommended.

Reviewed 19 December 2010

Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours
WRFnomad's avatar

Wendy

United States

Ranking: 10/10

I joined the first morning cruise on 11th December when we saw plenty of interesting wildlife, including nesting albatro…

I joined the first morning cruise on 11th December when we saw plenty of interesting wildlife, including nesting albatross, but none in flight. For this reason, a free repeat cruise was offered which I took at 3:15 p.m. What a treat! Another dream came true, when the Skipper spotted a fishing trawler surrounded by pelagic birds. There, at last, I saw my first Buller's Mollymawk. Many thanks for adding to such a fantastic tour of New Zealand. Wendy, USA

Reviewed 17 December 2010

Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours
davidm's avatar

davidm

Canada

Ranking: 9/10

It was recommended by a colleague and we are glad to have gone. This boat trip around Tairoa head was excellent value wi…

It was recommended by a colleague and we are glad to have gone. This boat trip around Tairoa head was excellent value with knowledgeable commentary about the birds, seals etc....

Reviewed over 1 year ago and experienced in May 2010

Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours
Annette's avatar

Annette

Australia

Ranking: 10/10

Monarch’s ‘tour 3 full day Otago peninsula package from Dunedin’ was a great and economical way to see some of the…

Monarch’s ‘tour 3 full day Otago peninsula package from Dunedin’ was a great and economical way to see some of the region’s natural treasures. Ample time was spent at each of the three destinations and very scenic routes were taken to get to these destinations. Got to sea plenty of wildlife, including the albatross and yellow eyed penguins, despite it being towards the end of the viewing/fledgling season (March). Having a different guide/driver for each leg of the journey was entertaining and all were very friendly and knowledgeable – there was no scripted relentless twaddle which many tour guides robotically deliver. Monarch’s customer service in booking this trip was fantastic, as was the pre- and post tour hotel pick up and drop off service.

Reviewed 20 March 2010

Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours
junior's avatar

Rosemary Macdonald

Australia

Ranking: 9/10

Fantastic cruise, saw penguins, albatross, seals up close, staff great

Fantastic cruise, saw penguins, albatross, seals up close, staff great

Reviewed almost 2 years ago and experienced in January 2010

Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours
JohnW's avatar

John Winter

United Kingdom

Ranking: 9/10

Cruise from Dunedin. Pickup from campsite. V.good knowledge of the boat crew re birds, local history etc. Good tour of y…

Cruise from Dunedin. Pickup from campsite. V.good knowledge of the boat crew re birds, local history etc. Good tour of yellow eyed penquin colony organised as part of tour.

Reviewed 24 February 2010

Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours
TerryP's avatar

Terry Phillips

England

Ranking: 10/10

1 1/4 hr trip of Otago Peninsular. $45 each. Boat took us out to Pacific Ocean, saw seals,penquins,albatrosses,many sea …

1 1/4 hr trip of Otago Peninsular. $45 each. Boat took us out to Pacific Ocean, saw seals,penquins,albatrosses,many sea birds. Brilliant. Captain & Crew excellent.

Reviewed 24 February 2010

Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours
purplekat99's avatar

purplekat99

United States

Ranking: 8/10

A great afternoon on the water! If you love albatross, this is for you. Didn't see any penguins or dolphins on my trip, …

A great afternoon on the water! If you love albatross, this is for you. Didn't see any penguins or dolphins on my trip, but it's nature, so what can you do. Every trip is different.

Reviewed about 2 years ago and experienced in January 2009

Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours
HovingL's avatar

HovingL

Netherlands

Ranking: 9/10

Wildlife cruise, Otago Peninsula.

Wildlife cruise, Otago Peninsula.

Reviewed over 2 years ago and experienced in February 2009