• travel_explore
    Auckland Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!
    tune
  • image_search
    Search Auckland... Experiences, attractions, dining & more

Tikapa Moana: Whales, Dolphins and Islands Cruise

4.4
137
Deals from $101.00 Save $54.00 Check dates nowsystem_update_alt
Discover Tikapa Moana - the Hauraki Gulf with us as we cruise through the myriad of islands, spot wildlife and learn about the cultural footprint of Tamaki Makaurau!

Discover Tikapa Moana - the Hauraki Gulf with us as we cruise through the myriad of islands, spot wildlife and learn about the cultural footprint of Tamaki Makaurau!

Highlights

  • Marine mammal viewing including whales, dolphins, seals, penguins, and birdlife.
  • Marine mammal viewing guarantee - voucher to come again for free if we don’t spot marine mammals during your cruise.
  • Hear fascinating stories on the history and origins of land, sea and Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki - original inhabitants of Tāmaki Makaurau.

Make your way through this stunning landscape including the volcanic peak of Rangitoto and island sanctuaries Motutapu and Tiritiri Matangi. Hear about the conservation programmes on many of these islands that are regenerating flora and fauna, and reintroducing native species.

Spot the locals! You'll see a variety of marine wildlife in their natural habitat including whales, dolphins, seals, penguins, birdlife and more from our comfortable cruise vessel purpose-built for wildlife viewing.

As part of your cruise, you can discover one of our island destinations with your choice of island stop at Rotoroa Island or Man O' War, Waiheke Island - take the opportunity to stretch your legs, swim in a sheltered bay and discover wine or wildlife. (no Island Stop is available on our 11:30am departure on weekends)

Operating in partnership with Ngāi Tai Te Haerenga, throughout your cruise you will hear the fascinating origins and histories of the land, sea and Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki – original inhabitants of Tāmaki Makaurau.

Adult $155.00
Child $75.00 (5-15 years old)
Infant $0.00 (0-4 years old)
Family $450.00 (2x Adults + 2x Children)

What's included

  • Scenic cruising around the islands with informative commentary on our new purpose-built comfortable cruise vessel - includes passenger pickups at other locations
  • Dedicated marine mammal searching around the Hauraki Gulf
  • Opportunity to view a variety of marine animals including dolphins, whales, seals, birdlife and more
  • Marine mammal viewing guarantee - come again for free if we don’t spot any marine mammals during your cruise
  • Learn about the history and conservation efforts on the volcanic peaks, many islands and extended coastline of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park
  • Hear fascinating stories on the origins and histories of land, sea and Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki – original inhabitants of Tāmaki Makaurau

Duration

  • Allow approx. 4.5 hours for this experience.

Location

  • Explore Booking Kiosk - Viaduct Harbour (diagonally opposite the Maritime Museum). Please check-in at least 15 minutes prior to departure.

Notes

  • Departure: Viaduct Harbour

    Departure Times (until 28 October):

    Wednesday - Friday

    Departs 11:30am | Returns 4:00pm

    Duration: 4.5 Hours


    Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays

    Departs 12:00pm | Returns 5:20pm

    Duration: 5.5 hours

    *Schedule subject to change over peak periods - please confirm at time of booking


  • CHANGES: As of 29th October 2024, there will be a change of schedule and itinerary inclusions. All bookings (except those made at 11.30am) will also include an island stop at your choice of either Rotoroa Island or Man O' War, Waiheke Island.Please select your preferred island stop at check-out. There will be no island stop on the 11.30am departure so if you have booked for this please select the 11.30am departure no island stop option.

    The new schedule as of 29th October will be as below:

    Mon - Fri:

    • 9:15am Departure including Rotoroa Island Stop(12:55pm-2:35pm)
    • 9:15am Departure including Man O War Vineyards Stop(1:10pm-2:20pm)

    Sat, Sun and Public Hols:

    • 9:30am Departure including Rotoroa Island Stop(10:15am-12:55pm)
    • 9:30am Departure including Man O War Vineyards Stop(10:00am-1:00pm)
    • 11:30am Departure NO Island Stop


    Please note lunch is not included. Sandwiches, snacks and drinks are available for purchase onboard.

    Mobility access to this vessel is limited, after booking please contact the operator for more details if you have limited mobility.

    Family Price: Family Price is based on prices if purchased separately - discounts shown from this rate.

Available Bookings from 10 Nov to 23 Nov 2024

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Change Dates
Sun 10 Nov
Mon 11 Nov
Tue 12 Nov
Wed 13 Nov
Thu 14 Nov
Fri 15 Nov
Sat 16 Nov
Sun 17 Nov
Mon 18 Nov
Tue 19 Nov
Wed 20 Nov
Thu 21 Nov
Fri 22 Nov
Sat 23 Nov

  • Adult$155.00
  • Child$75.00
  • Infant Free of Charge
  • Family$450.00

  • Adult$155.00
  • Child$75.00
  • Infant Free of Charge
  • Family$450.00

  • Adult$155.00
  • Child$75.00
  • Infant Free of Charge
  • Family$450.00

  • Adult$155.00
  • Child$75.00
  • Infant Free of Charge
  • Family$450.00

  • Adult$155.00
  • Child$75.00
  • Infant Free of Charge
  • Family$450.00

  • Adult$155.00
  • Child$75.00
  • Infant Free of Charge
  • Family$450.00

  • Adult$155.00
  • Child$75.00
  • Infant Free of Charge
  • Family$450.00

  • Adult$155.00
  • Child$75.00
  • Infant Free of Charge
  • Family$450.00

  • Adult$155.00
  • Child$75.00
  • Infant Free of Charge
  • Family$450.00

  • Adult$155.00
  • Child$75.00
  • Infant Free of Charge
  • Family$450.00

  • Adult$101.00
  • Child$75.00
  • Infant Free of Charge
  • Family$375.00

  • Adult$101.00
  • Child$75.00
  • Infant Free of Charge
  • Family$375.00

  • Adult$101.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$75.00
  • Infant Free of Charge
  • Family$375.00

  • Adult$101.00
  • Child$75.00
  • Infant Free of Charge
  • Family$375.00

  • Adult$101.00
  • Child$75.00
  • Infant Free of Charge
  • Family$375.00

  • Adult$101.00
  • Child$75.00
  • Infant Free of Charge
  • Family$375.00

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

4.4

137 reviews

Showing all 137 authenticated Bookme reviews

maryamm1 from New Zealand wrote on 11 January 2022

No whales

I was looking forward to seeing the whales and dolphins but we only saw a pod of dolphins. Overall good experience but I wish we saw at least one whale

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

chantnz from New Zealand wrote on 25 February 2022

Amazing trip

Some feedback on the Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari – WOW! We had a great experience and enjoyed the tour. The guides were awesome and their knowledge was amazing. The Hauraki gulf is so beautiful and the cruise alone was worth it. We managed to see a whale not long after take off. We saw heaps of dolphins, which was amazing

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

Theresa from New Zealand wrote on 10 January 2022

Fantastic day out

We enjoyed our time and spotted some dolphins, which was great! The captain and the crew were fantastic. Can highly recommend this trip to anyone.

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

Mark from New Zealand wrote on 13 March 2022

Not this company

Bad review because for an hour of the trip you’re dropping passengers off to Motatapu Island and then you have to pick them up and it just eats away at the time you could have spent searching for whales and dolphins. Only saw a pod of common dolphins. Probably only saw them for 10 mins altogether. Didn’t get a voucher because apparently that’s enough sightings. Didn’t see any whales, penguins or other sea creatures. Also, bought a bunderburg for $4 they tipped some out from the 1.5l bottles into a small cup. The other whale watching company I went with was fantastic because they went further out to sea and the boat was better suited. I would never go on this tour/cruise again.

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

Mohsin from New Zealand wrote on 07 March 2022

Boring

The ride was good and the staff was great but it was quite boring and expensive as for most of the the time we just roaming around and doing nothing 4 hours 30 mins for dolphin watching and most of the time most people were sleeping not that fun as I had hoped for a150$ ticket…. But not a bad experience overall

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

close

Qualmark Certification

This award identifies a business with a high level of professionalism, a keen awareness of the impact it has on the environment and a commitment to a customer centric approach.

This award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure the business's focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create genuine, constantly evolving and sustainable tourism experiences.

This award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand. It denotes exceptional customer experiences at the heart of everything the company does. This business is leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.

When you see the Qualmark logo, your activity of choice is endorsed by New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation and backed by leaders in the industry. It's your trusted guide to iconic activities and experiences that are awarded for their exceptionally high level of quality, safety and sustainability.

Sample menu

close
delete

Delete your content?

This item will be deleted immediately. You can't undo this action.