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If you want to take a whale watching tour in Auckland, you might be wondering what the highest-rated one on the market is and what makes it special. Well, below I will go over exactly that!
I’ve done quite a few whale watching tours in my life including several in Auckland, so I know a good tour from a bad one. In this review, I go over my experience on this specific whale watching tour including what I liked and didn’t like, and if I think it’s worthy of all the fanfare it receives.
So keep reading for my review of the best whale watching tour in Auckland!
What Whale Watching Tour did I do in Auckland?
I decided to take this whale watching tour for several reasons. I’ll admit, I’ve taken a lot of whale watching cruises, so when I heard this one is the “best” in Auckland, I had to find out for myself.
First off, it’s on board a luxury catamaran. I tend to get seasick and catamarans are much smoother and more stable on the water. Plus this is a BEAUTIFUL boat and a treat to ride on.
Next, this tour guarantees marine animal sightings – if you don’t see any dolphins or whales, you can go again on a different day for free. Luckily I saw both on the tour I went on!
Also, I heard the crew and captain were exceptional and this was totally true. They are experts (marine research scientists in fact) and I learned so much from them. They also make sure the interactions with the animals are from a safe distance and not disturbing them, which was important to me.
I liked that this tour departs in the morning as the whales and dolphins tend to be a bit more active then. Plus, this tour explores the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park which is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world. There are six types of whales here!
After taking this whale watching tour, it’s easy to see why it’s the top choice for anyone wanting to go whale watching in Auckland. It also makes for a beautiful day out on the water and is a top thing to do in Auckland in summer!
Read the 1,400+ raving reviews and book your spot on this whale watching tour here!
What I loved about this tour
See plenty of wildlife
Hauraki Gulf Marine Park has tons, and I mean tons, of different marine life swimming in and out from all over the world. Most commonly you’ll spot bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, New Zealand native Bryde’s whales, orca whales, and various bird species like penguins and petrels.
Depending on the time of year and how lucky you are, manta rays, sea turtles, and hammerhead sharks have been known to make an appearance. On my tour, it wasn’t long before we started hearing the excited shouts of people spotting wildlife. Some of the dolphins even came right up to the boat!
Pro tip, I recommend bringing binoculars if you have them!
On-board commentary
I guarantee you’ll find the onboard commentary fun and interesting. It’s amazing how much we know and don’t know about the ocean’s many inhabitants, but what we do know, the captain shared with us throughout the tour.
Actually, all of the crew really knew their stuff and I asked several of them questions and they always had answers. I really appreciated their passion and it made the whole experience so much more enjoyable.
Catamaran Boat
As someone who loves whale watching but gets seasick (it’s a cruel world we live in), I can’t sing the praises of catamarans enough. They’re way more stable than any other kind of boat and rock considerably less. Even if you don’t get seasick, it’s a noticeably more comfortable experience. That’s not to say you still won’t get sick so pack those meds!
Convenient departure location
I can’t tell you how many times a good tour is overshadowed by a crummy departure location. Well, not with this one! The Viaduct Harbour is right in downtown Auckland so getting there is easy breezy. The public bus system runs from all corners of the city to the harbor and there is plenty of parking available.
Portion of tickets go towards Marine Mammal Conservation
Like I said before, I love how environmentally friendly this tour is! Some of the ticket proceeds go towards the Marine Mammal Conservation which works with endangered species like the Bryde’s whale we saw on the tour. It’s an amazing organization that does work all over the world.
Guarantee animal sightings
On the incredibly rare occasion that you don’t see any marine animals, you can take the tour again on another day free of charge. Not many whale watching tours offer this, so they get a big gold star from me for that.
Free cancellation options
I booked the tour through Viator to ensure I got free cancellation up to 24 hours beforehand. It also gave me the option to reserve my spot and not pay until two days before departure. This allows you to be flexible and means you won’t be left out of pocket if your plans change.
Highly reviewed
You don’t just have to take my word for it that this is a great tour because it has 1,400+ reviews you can read here! I only book tours with great reviews, and all of the reviews you see on Viator are verified, so you know that they’re real.
Here are a couple of reviews from other travelers who took this tour:
“This was the best day! The crew was so friendly and knowledgeable. I think we were quite lucky and saw several groups of dolphins, Some of which stayed with the boat for at least a half an hour, thousands of sea birds, and at least two whales. I highly recommend this trip!“
“The crew and skipper were awesome, super nice and helpful and very knowledgeable. Answered all our questions. The best part was we saw orca and common dolphins and penguins. It could not have been better!!!!! Highly recommend this excursion.“
Ready to book? Grab your spot on this highly-rated whale watching tour here!
Related Read: For a step-by-step guide to planning your time here, check out my ideal 3-day Auckland itinerary!
What I didn’t like about this tour
Large group
With such a fantastic whale watching tour, it makes sense so many people want to take it. Depending on the time of year, some days will be busier than others. When I took it, there were about 40 people on the catamaran. It has a capacity of 100, so there was still plenty of room, but it did get a bit crowded during the whale sighting when everyone wanted to be along the railing to watch!
That being said, the captain was great at spinning the boat around so regardless of where you were standing you got a chance to see whatever was spotted. My advice is to find a spot you like and hunker down with your binoculars and camera.
Can be hard to hear the on-board commentary
While I personally didn’t have any issues hearing the commentary, several people mentioned they couldn’t understand what was being said. This is because all information is given through a PA system that can be a little hard to hear depending on where you’re standing or if you have bad hearing. If you think this might be an issue, try and get a spot towards the front under the speaker.
What did this tour include/not include?
The tour includes a 4.5-hour whale and dolphin watching cruise around the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. Your crew includes marine scientists who have fantastic information to share during the tour.
Besides that, nothing extra is offered. However, you can purchase food and drinks onboard if you would like. Unfortunately, no hotel pickup or drop-off is offered, but the cruise location at Viaduct Harbour is easy to get to by bus, taxi, or Uber.
Would I do this tour again?
Yes, I absolutely would!
At first, I was a little skeptical about it being the best in Auckland, but after taking it for myself I can confidently agree with that statement. The comfortable boat and high chance to spot marine wildlife are huge selling points, but the amazing guides are what make this experience stand out. Quiet simply, this is a must-do experience in Auckland!
Related Read: Heading to the land of the hobbits next? Check out the best Hobbiton tours from Auckland for a fun day!
Other Things to do While You’re in Auckland
As New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland is filled with amazing things to do and see! While you’re here, make sure not to miss out on some of the top attractions and activities.
- See Hobbiton – Even if you’re not a huge Lord of the Rings fan, visiting the Hobbiton movie set is a must! There’s Hobbit Holes, a chance to drink at the Green Dragon Inn, and when you book this tour to Hobbiton, it also includes a visit to the Waitomo Caves which light up like the night sky with thousands of glow worms.
- Hike Mt Eden – One of the best hikes on the North Island is to the top of Mt Eden. This dormant volcano has amazing views of Auckland and the loop trail is only a 40-minute walk.
- Visit the Auckland Sky Tower – the view from the top of the Auckland Sky Tower is incredible! It’s best to visit at sunset and you can book your tickets easily online here!
- Explore Ponsonby – Easily the coolest Auckland neighborhood, Ponsonby is full of trendy bars, restaurants, and boutiques. Make sure you stop at Prego for Italian food and Bedford Soda & Liquor for the best cocktails in the city!
- Go to the beach – Only 45 minutes from Auckland is the famous Piha Beach! This is one of the best beaches in New Zealand and one of the most beautiful with black sand and bright blue water. You can drive yourself or join a guided tour to get here.
Where to Stay in Auckland
Auckland is a huge city, so deciding where to stay in Auckland can be a challenge. Luckily, I’ve stayed in Auckland countless times (and even lived here for a while), so I know the best areas. Below are my favorite hotels/hostels in Auckland to suit all budgets and travel styles:
$$$ – The Grand by SkyCity
The Grand by SkyCity is an Auckland accommodation unlike any other. Treating you to a lavish stay right in the heart of the city, this five-star hotel is exactly where you want to be if you’re after luxurious rooms and city views.
Rooms are typically $400 NZD and up, but I have found some stellar deals on Booking.com, so it’s worth checking before you book!
$$ – Marsden Viaduct Hotel
One of the Auckland hotels with the best views, the Marsden Viaduct Hotel puts you right on the harbor without breaking your budget. This world-class accommodation is within walking distance to the Wynyard Quarter and the restaurant and bars in the Viaduct Harbour, so you’re pretty much in the center of it all.
Rooms are around $300 NZD nightly and can be reserved on Booking.com.
$ – The Attic Backpackers
The Attic is one of my favorite budget-friendly accommodations in the heart of Auckland city. Although The Attic isn’t as high-end as the other hotels in the area, you can still call it your home-away-from-home, and it’s actually pretty cozy. You have some chill-out areas a few steps away from the room for chatting with friends and watching TV.
There’s also a spacious outdoor covered deck to enjoy the sun in. Dorm rooms start around $50 NZD nighly and private rooms are available for $120 NZD. You can book The Attic online on either Booking.com or Hostelworld.
For more detailed info on the best areas to stay in Auckland and the best hotels, check out my blog!
Renting a Car, Campervan, or Motorhome in New Zealand
Let’s face it, you’re going to need wheels to get around New Zealand. Although a small country, buses between destinations are infrequent and expensive. Plus, some of the best experiences you can have in NZ are on road trips!
You have three options when it comes to getting wheels in New Zealand; a car, a campervan, or a motorhome. Here’s what you need to know about each and where to get them:
- Car – A normal car is the cheapest rental vehicle you can get in New Zealand. It’ll get you around to all of the best destinations with ease. The only downside to a car is that you will need to stay in hotels or Airbnbs during your travels (no camping.) The easiest place to rent a car in New Zealand is on Discover Cars where you can compare cars, companies, prices, features, and more very easily.
- Campervan – A Campervan is a large van that has a bed and a small kitchen in the back. It’s what most budget travelers use for traveling around New Zealand since it allows you to camp comfortably and for free (most) nights. Campervans are best for couples or solo travelers who are happy to live in a small space. You should also love the outdoors and camping…and be prepared for an adventure of a lifetime! My favorite campervan rental company is JUCY because they have a huge selection of campervans to choose from, plus multiple pick-up/drop-off locations. You can browse JUCY’s campervan selection online here. Alternatively, you can easily compare all campervans available in NZ on Motorhome Republic here.
- Motorhome – A motorhome is larger and more comfortable than a campervan. Many motorhomes will comfortably sleep 6 or more people – perfect for a family visiting New Zealand. Motorhomes are the most expensive option, but with one you won’t ever need to stay in a hotel and you’ll save money that way. My top choice for a motorhome company is Star RV because they have beautiful motorhomes at affordable prices. You can check prices and availability for Star RV motorhomes online here. Alternatively, you can use Motorhome Republic to search all motorhomes in NZ. For more detailed info, read my complete guide to renting a motorhome in New Zealand!
EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT CODE: I’ve managed to snag a discount code for 5% off for my readers if you book your campervan or motorhome through JUCY or Star RV! Simply click here to select your JUCY campervan, or click here to select your Star RV motorhome, and then use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off – it’s that easy!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, I currently use and recommend SafetyWing. I’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had my back when I needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference I’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. I’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum and you get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped me out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given me peace of mind. Read my full review on if you should get travel insurance in NZ for more info!
Thanks for reading!
I hope you’re all set for an amazing whale watching tour in Auckland! The cruise I took was fantastic and I can’t wait to go again someday – maybe when my family comes to visit. It was a great day on the water and spotting so many dolphins, whales, and other creatures put a huge smile on my face.
While you’re exploring New Zealand, have a look through all my blogs on Auckland and the North Island. I’ve lived in New Zealand for years, so I have lots of tips and tricks to share to make your time here the best it can be!
Two Week North Island Itinerary Ideas – 3 Tried and Tested Itineraries!
10 BEST Tours in Auckland, New Zealand +My Personal Top Choice