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Whale and Dolphin Safari Cruise

Sail the seas from Auckland and witness the majesty of whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. Join our Half-Day Safari Cruise for $117.68. Book your mobile ticket now and enjoy a journey like no other!
Loved by over 55 million guests worldwide
Slide 1 of 11, Whale near a tour boat on a Half-Day Safari Cruise from Auckland.
Whale near a tour boat on a Half-Day Safari Cruise from Auckland.
Tourists on a boat watching a whale in the ocean during a safari cruise from Auckland.
Whale surfacing in the ocean near Auckland during a safari cruise.
Dolphins swimming in the ocean during a safari cruise near Auckland.
Dolphins swimming near Auckland skyline on a whale and dolphin safari cruise.
Dolphins swimming in the ocean during a safari cruise from Auckland.
Tourists watching a whale surface during a safari cruise near Auckland.
Tourists on a boat watching a whale in the ocean during a safari cruise from Auckland.
Dolphin leaping near boat on Auckland whale and dolphin safari cruise.
Tourists on a boat watching dolphins during a Half-Day Whale and Dolphin Safari Cruise in Auckland.
Dolphins swimming in clear blue water during Auckland safari cruise.
4 hrs 30 mins
  • Step aboard a purpose-built vessel at Viaduct Harbour for an Auckland whale watching cruise with spacious viewing areas

  • Cruise for around 4.5 hours into the Hauraki Gulf in search of whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds

  • Listen to live commentary from expert crew and marine biologists as you learn about the region’s wildlife

  • Move between indoor cabins and open decks for fresh air and uninterrupted views during wildlife sightings

More details
  • Step aboard a purpose-built vessel at Viaduct Harbour for an Auckland whale watching cruise with spacious viewing areas

  • Cruise for around 4.5 hours into the Hauraki Gulf in search of whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds

  • Listen to live commentary from expert crew and marine biologists as you learn about the region’s wildlife

  • Move between indoor cabins and open decks for fresh air and uninterrupted views during wildlife sightings

from
NZ$219
Slide 1 of 15, Auckland Explorer bus and whale watching cruise boat with passengers.
Auckland Explorer bus and whale watching cruise boat with passengers.
Couple exiting Auckland Explorer Bus on hop-on-hop-off city tour.
Auckland Explorer Bus passengers view Sky Tower through glass roof.
Auckland Explorer Bus staff assisting tourists with city tour brochures.
Red double-decker bus on Auckland city tour with Sky Tower in background.
Open-top bus tour in Auckland city with passengers viewing skyscrapers.
Couple taking selfie with Māori carvings at Auckland museum on hop-on-hop-off tour.
Auckland Explorer Bus with Sky Tower in the background on a city tour.
Person holding a phone displaying Auckland Explorer Bus hop-on-hop-off tour information.
Whale near a tour boat on a Half-Day Safari Cruise from Auckland.
Tourists on a boat watching a whale in the ocean during a safari cruise from Auckland.
Dolphins swimming in the ocean during a safari cruise from Auckland.
Dolphin leaping near boat on Auckland whale and dolphin safari cruise.
Tourists on a boat watching dolphins during a Half-Day Whale and Dolphin Safari Cruise in Auckland.
Dolphins swimming in clear blue water during Auckland safari cruise.
Explore at your pace
  • Travel across 9 stops on the yellow double-decker Auckland Explorer Bus or red open-deck Soaring Kiwi bus (route map here).

  • Choose from the 1-day or 2-day option to have complete control over your itinerary and learn about the city's history from the onboard English commentary.

  • View Auckland's largest cathedral, the Holy Trinity Cathedral, and stroll through Parnell Village to shop at the charming boutiques, and more.

  • Hop on board the ‘Dolphin Explorer’ for a 4.5-hour luxury cruise on the waters of Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, sailing past Harbour Bridge and Devonport.

  • Witness marine life such as dolphins, orcas, and whales, and learn about them from a marine science expert.

More details
  • Travel across 9 stops on the yellow double-decker Auckland Explorer Bus or red open-deck Soaring Kiwi bus (route map here).

  • Choose from the 1-day or 2-day option to have complete control over your itinerary and learn about the city's history from the onboard English commentary.

  • View Auckland's largest cathedral, the Holy Trinity Cathedral, and stroll through Parnell Village to shop at the charming boutiques, and more.

  • Hop on board the ‘Dolphin Explorer’ for a 4.5-hour luxury cruise on the waters of Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, sailing past Harbour Bridge and Devonport.

  • Witness marine life such as dolphins, orcas, and whales, and learn about them from a marine science expert.

from
NZ$291

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What our guests say

Vivienne I

Australia
Group
Jun 2026
Fantastic commentary, easy to find and wonderful, helpful people. Most impressive! The seats were comfortable and the whole ride was great. Highly recommend!

Combo: Auckland Explorer Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour + Whale & Dolphin Safari Cruise

Irene L

Australia
Solo
Apr 2026
The commentary was very good. Buses were punctual to pick us up. My favourite places were Mt Eden, Panels Village and Bastion Point.

Combo: Auckland Explorer Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour + Whale & Dolphin Safari Cruise

Hilda K

Australia
Couple
Mar 2026
Loved it. Easy to book and pay last minute online, we were picked up from Skytower Auckland punctually, and the 2 attendants were so helpful with all enquiries. Pleasant double decker open buses, we experienced 3 helpful and polite drivers each time we hopped on/ off. It covered many Auckland landmarks, we chose only 2 however we could have done at least 2 more. This beats a chartered tour bus as you decide how long you spend at a site and then wait for the bus which comes around every 30 min. We had our own time to visit Mt Edna, then Auckland Zoo for as long as we liked instead of being given a time limit. Just be tolerant that sometimes you have to wait longer than 30 min for your connection as buses are caught in peak hour jams. The on board commentary was loud, clear and well synchronised. After we terminated at Skytower, we could have gone on one last round loop tour without getting off if we wanted. We liked this better because we got to choose where to explore unlike a structured sightseeing tour that covers places you are not interested in. Overall a happy experience which has made us want to do more Hoho bus tours in future.

Combo: Auckland Explorer Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour + Whale & Dolphin Safari Cruise

Darcy J

United States
Couple
Mar 2026
Great time, informative, open air on the back of the top of the bus. Easy locations to. Get on and off, well marked! Wonderful commentary, nice driver.

Combo: Auckland Explorer Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour + Whale & Dolphin Safari Cruise

Grant C

New Zealand
Couple
May 2026
Lovely day, great crew - very passionate about the dolphins and whales, and some surprising scientific insights. Wonderful day out

From Auckland: Half-Day Whale & Dolphin Safari Cruise

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