We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.
We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox. Mac: Safari.
All 43 Dunedin Attractions »

Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours

20 Fryatt Sreet, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
+64 3 477 4276
Ranked #3 of 15 tours in Dunedin
4.5 of 5 stars 61 Reviews
Type: Tours
Owner description: Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours have been offering tours of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula since 1985, taking visitors to view the unrivaled...... more » Owner description: Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours have been offering tours of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula since 1985, taking visitors to view the unrivaled wildlife & beauty the area is renowned for, including the Northern Royal Albatross, Yellow-Eyed Penguins (the world’s rarest penguin) seals and sea lions, and up to 20 other species of bird and marine life. A three time New Zealand tourism award winner, Monarch Wildlife Cruises is also Qualmarked & Qualmark Green accredited. Take a one hour cruise from Wellers Rock, or a half or full day tour which include other Peninsula attractions, from 20 Fryatt St Dunedin. « less
Write a Review

61 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    38
    16
    4
    1
    2
Date Rating
Karen B
Dunedin, New Zealand
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 February 2012 NEW

Thoroughly enjoyed the 3 1/2 hour cruise.Most exciting of all was watching a Hump back whale feed for about 3/4 of an hour, incredible, and as for all the fish,they were jumping right out of water, seals and sealions everywhere....and our Albatrosses soaring around overhead.Magic indeed.Have lived in Dunedin all my life, will be taking all my visitors out there... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Lynn B
Milton, TN
Contributor
11 reviews
1 helpful vote
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 February 2012 NEW

We signed up for the day long wildlife tour and castle package and basically missed the only parts of the day I truly wanted to see. We rode out the peninsula in an older van and we did stop once to take a couple of quick photos. Our driver was kind and well informed and shared lots of info along... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
CornwallUkChris
cornwall uk
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews
2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 February 2012 NEW

We were so pleased to take this trip, only an hour but in that time we saw several types of albatross, many young ones trying to land for the first time since leaving the nest over a year earlier. We were told that the albatross prefers flying when the weather is not too hot, we were fortunate to see so... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Marrowboy
Senior Contributor
38 reviews
4 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 February 2012

Had a 5 hour package for 139 NZ dollars. Got picked up from the harbour and taken by an old minibus across the Otago peninsula, the ride was slow and you wondered whether the bus would make it. After an hour we arrived at the Penguin sanctuary and were able to see the yellow eyed variety in their own habitat.... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
SQFlyer72
Singapore
Senior Contributor
24 reviews
16 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 February 2012

I joined a full day Otago Peninsula wildlife package which included a visit to the Larnach Castle on New Year's Day during my visit to Dunedin. There was a complimentary transfer from my hotel to the tour office where the other guy for the same tour (there were only 2 of us for this tour on that day) joined us.... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Phil C
Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
1 review
1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 February 2012
1
person found this review helpful

While on holiday and not going out of Dunedin my wife and I took the 1 hour trip from Wellers Rocks. It was brilliant, the wild life great to see and the staff were friendly and informative. More

Was this review helpful? Yes
CENTAURUS9411
Auckland, New Zealand
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 31 January 2012

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... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
unzud
Auckland, New Zealand
2 reviews
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 31 January 2012

We did the one hour cruise departing from Wellers Rock. The Monarch stops at various locations where wildlife is easily viewed. The crew even have binoculars for cutomers to use. While various tours of this kind have commentary by the captain, this tour was unique in that 2 crew members constantly mingled with the customers and pointed out birds they... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Joan A
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Senior Contributor
41 reviews
3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 January 2012

We were unable to complete the whole tour as there were many steps to see the penguins, but thoroughly enjoyed the bus trip to meet the boat for the one hour wildlife tour where fur seals, albatrosses and Hector's dolphins were just some of the marine animals and birds in evidence. Our skipper provided close views from the boat, allowing... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
sazzy1983
warwickshire
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews
3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 January 2012

We went on this trip which was organized by our tour. It was a fabulous trip and we got to see some albatross, seals, penguins and dolphins. The girls on the boat were very informative and certainly new their surrounding area and the wildlife within it. The boat had teas and coffees and a toilet on board. More

Was this review helpful? Yes

Travellers who viewed Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours also viewed

Elm Wildlife Tours
5 of 5 stars 73 Reviews
Dunedin, South Island
Back to Nature Tours
5 of 5 stars 10 Reviews
Dunedin, South Island
 
Whale Watch
4 of 5 stars 155 Reviews
Kaikoura, Canterbury
Otago Peninsula
4.5 of 5 stars 100 Reviews
Dunedin, South Island
 

Been to Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours? Share your experiences!

Write a Review Add Photos Add Videos

Do You Own Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours?

TripAdvisor has free and easy resources to help you enhance your listing and promote your property.

Start here - visit your Management Centre | Add photos | Add videos
See all sites
Cruise Critic

The ultimate cruise resource: cruise reviews, deals, news and advice.

SeatGuru

The world's most comprehensive source for airline seats, airline info, & in-flight amenities.

Family Vacation Critic

The best family holidays start here.

Best beach houses of 2012 »