Reviews of Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari. (Travel Agency) in Auckland (Auckland).

Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari

738 Reviews

251 Comments

Travel Agency

Whale watching tour agency

Boat tour agency

Nature preserve

Sightseeing tour agency

Tour agency

Tourist attraction

Berth 9, Eastern Viaduct Marina, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

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Information of Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari, Travel Agency in Auckland (Auckland)

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This place has good reviews, this means that they treat their customers well and you’ll feel great with their services, recommended 100%!

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Reviews of Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari

S. S.

Marine Mammals are quite a sight 🐬 we got to see a few dolphins playing around the boat which was a wonder! We also learned about plankton and the role they play in the ecosystem, how their density is measured and saw some in a sample taken during the commentary 😆 Being *WILD*life, we were a bit unlucky with sightings, but that is to be expected from time to time and I'm determined to try again, who knows how much we might see next time?!

P. J.

jaw droppingly good! Sailing in a modern catamaran in the green waters of Hauraki bay with a friendly and professional crew is worth the price of the safari. If you are lucky enough to enjoy hundreds of playful dolphins, your visit will be unforgettable and unsurpassed. If you are near Auckland this excursion is a must.

A. G.

Such a nice journey out and back to see some dolphins! Staff was so nice and friendly and very educated. Clean ship, and was a perfect and beautiful day out on the water. Great little few hour excursion to still make it back in time for a dinner I. The city. Great experience ! 🐬🐳

A must for anybody in Auckland. Local or tourist. On the first trip we only saw a few of the small blue penguins and a small pod of dolphins on the way back to the harbour. So I got a free voucher that never expired to use until the experience matched what the crew deemed a worthwhile trip. This was an instant thumbs up as such an experience needs the word of mouth etc to keep numbers up so they can share with the public the wonders of the Gulf. Second time round we saw 4 dolphin pods. Some feeding, some mating, some just enjoying the boats wake. Although I hoped for a sight of a whale or two this time of year they aren't that common in the area, but never the less I was speechless by how up close and personal the dolphins came. The crew were fantastic on both trips sharing lots of what they do for scientific studies on board which a portion of the cost goes back into and also the skipper was hilarious. The crew are hands on and friendly, full of knowledge and eager to answer as many questions as they can. Way better than anything else I've experienced in Auckland. Such an authentic & thankful vibe on board not just another "tourist" experience looking for your money. Thanks guys it was epic & keep up the great work

K. M.

Spent a wonderful day on the Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari and absolutely loved it! We saw a variety of marine life from Australasian Gannets to a pod of friendly common dolphins. There were even some baby dolphins, too! The crew were incredible and very knowledgeable, if you are in Auckland this is something you must do.

A. P.

A life time experience and a memorable one. Saw dolphins and whale from a close distance. It was a breath taking experience. The details which the crew and captain gave us in-between our trip was really new for us. Haven't thought about it. Really a must visit thing if you are in Auckland.

A. Y.

Amazing experience and enjoyed the educational safari a lot. The Captain and his sarcastic commentary started our trip filled with lot of laughter. The experts in the field started the safari with explanation of marine biological aspects of sea life like zoo plankton and photo plankton, their importance and significance. The sea birds in the middle of water is sign of fish schools and thus leads to dolphin discovery. During the safari we encountered Blue Whale from very far and missed to view it from nearby as it was diving deep into ocean and disappeared.

R. B.

Well, I stumbled upon this place while I was going through TripAdvisor. So one day I just picked up my car and drove down to Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari and that was one of the best decisions I ever took. The Safari started with the crew helping us with boarding and guiding us on the safety procedures in case of emergencies and then we set sail. The captain of the ship was really a funny guy as he explained us and gave us a full tour of the view around us. As we reached deeper into the sea the crew exactly knew how to spot dolphins and there I saw one of the most breathtaking views of my life. Free dolphins swimming along our boat and at the same time looping in and out of water which was seriously a view to die for. Now we couldn't spot whales because of the season or maybe our luck was just too bad but the crew did give us a free ticket so that we could come back again whenever we wanted. Also if you get hungry they have some really good food abord the ship and maybe some refreshments which you can take while taking a rest from Dolphin spotting. All in all the Safari lasted for somewhere between 2 to 3 hours. And if you are reading this review then I would definitely suggest you to go for it as this is a thing you cannot miss if you are a nature lover.

G. M.

As part of our research into working with Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari, two of our team joined the boat for the afternoon. One of us is Auckland born and bred and the other has been here for 20 years. We were both excited and impressed by the abundance of nature here in our own backyard and, beyond our obvious bias, loved discovering it with such a knowledgeable crew on such a comfortable boat. Andy, the Skipper's, skill at reading the Hauraki Gulf was evident. We loved the encounters with so many dolphin and gannets on our trip and seeing how excited visitors from around the world were to experience what's out here every day. A great introduction to the work we are doing for the team.

M. U.

Lucky enough to see heaps of dolphins in first ride. Kids really enjoyed and it's just an awesome experience. Team is best in to try and find around some dolphins

R. C.

Well worth the money in my opinion. Got to see a rare whale and lots of dolphins. Crew are very enthusiastic and really want you to get the most out of the experience. Highly recommend. I was keen to see some whales before going back to Ireland and I finally got to see some. Great service.

C. H.

Great experience. Weather a bit chilly but saw lost of dolphins. Quite a few seasick people so we went back to calmer waters quickly whereas I would have liked to stay out in the gulf more.

I. L.

Nice vessel, great crew. Very enjoyable experience with lots of interesting facts. Feels good to know that it’s also a research vessel and the trip includes sample and data collection. Captain had a great patter to help everyone on board watch for the signs of Dolphins and other sea life.

C. C.

My wife and I had an amazing time! We weren't sure what to expect, given the nature of the trip is dealing with wild animals. They aren't always there waiting to be seen, and have to be found. Even then they may not be easy to find, so this really does have to be taken into account. We did manage to see a pod of common dolphins and a baby calf which was incredible, as well as two Sei whales. Such a fantastic trip and day and would highly recommend it! Great information from staff on the zoology and ecosystem too.

D. D.

Absolutely amazing experience. We saw orcas and common dolphins up close and in their natural habitat. If I had one complaint it would be that the guides talked over a loudspeaker almost all the time, which sometimes made it hard to enjoy the moment with the people in our group.

k. s.

The experience was good as we did get to see some dolphins and some blue penguins but unfortunately there was no hot food, the pa wasn't working and it was rather cold. On the email a few days before I believe it should tell you to take jumpers or a coat because even though it was a hot day it was cold at the front of the boat! Staff were friendly and knowledgeable. A shame we didn't get to see whales but we did get a complimentary return trip.

Great experience and friendly crew. I'm a New Zealander and went on this tour with a friend who was visiting as a tourist. We both had a great time. A huge group of dolphins shows up to dance around the boat for a while. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't the best and the search area was restricted, which meant we didn't really have a chance of seeing any whales. We were all given a complimentary voucher to come back for free (with no expiration date). A pleasant surprise; I wasn't expecting it since we saw lots of dolphins. This trip was also educational and talked about the on-going conservation efforts. There was a woman in a wheelchair on my trip, and it was wonderful to see how considerate and attentive the crew were to her needs. I highly recommend to both tourists and locals.

R. B.

An absolutely incredible experience, the crew were great with good service, great humor and an obvious passion for the job and the animals. We were also incredibly lucky and got to see orcas which was an experience I will never forget, who would have imagined that they love pink Floyd! So thank you for an incredible time that I couldn't recommend enough!!

A. A.

Pleasant enough experience, onboard commentary was entertaining. Did not get to see any whales or dolphins, will have to use my return voucher to brave the seas again and sight some sea life another occasion.

Awesome morning watching dozens of dolphins and their babies. A fantastic 4+ hour morning sail out in the Hauraki Gulf watching sea birds including Australasian gannets, pods of dolphins and their pups, and Little Blue penguins. The crew were so knowledgeable about the area and explained how to find the dolphins and they answered all the questions asked and explained how they contribute to ongoing marine research. The dolphins swam right up to the catamaran and swam along side for ages. We also watched the gannets dive down in to the sea to catch fish and followed some Little Blues as they darted through the water. Definitely recommended!

Such an amazing day. Thank you so much for a amazing trip. We saw a whole pod of Common dolphins.

D. K.

It's truly a one-of-a-kind experience to witness wild dolphins. The operators were kind to issue us non expiry vouchers because we didn't get to see the whales as these are wild and not held captive so it really depends on luck. We spent hours at the sea hunting them down just to get a glimpse of these magnificent creatures so prepare your camera either in video or burst mode because they are so fast and it's impossible to capture them as a single shot. Also do prepare some seasick medication because you won't know if you need them and it would be a shame if you missed all the fun. Also, do take care of little ones because choppy waters could throw them off balance and the last thing you want is someone falling off the vessel.

V. G.

Wonderful experience. Very knowledgeable staff and we saw soooo many dolphins swimming along the both and even the rare blue whale. Bonus: you support their scientific research by joining the trip. Very recommended!

P. M.

I went for Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari and I really enjoyed it. The yacht was topnotch. The crew members were funny, friendly & very knowledgeable about the ocean & its creatures. Got to see lots of Dolphins & 2 whales on the safari. Their in-yacht café has decently priced items for sale. There was space for everyone on board to see dolphins & whales. Recommended.

R. R.

Had a day out on a new tour investigating phytoplankton zooplankton and microplastics. Just a great experience. My daughter loved it and we both learned a lot of cool information.

F. G.

Great communication from the staff onboard. Very helpful (outside of their job role I guess)*the captain let me borrow his ph charger cause I forgot mine (so I could take photos). • Menu is ok, I would just have loved abit more variety of healthier options. My daughter had a mince and cheese pie & a apple. A hot chocolate and a juice. She enjoyed them all. But you can take your own lunch aswell(I was just time poor that morning so couldn’t make our lunch). • We got dropped off so that parking wasn’t a issue. • They definitely all, try their hardest to have everyone on board view dolphins and/or whales. • If you don’t see anything, you get to go back again and again until you do (for free). They have sea sickness tablets you can purchase too. • Are very accommodating if someone spews on board 😅(my daughter spewed up, they catered to us - helped her settle & stay calm & assure her it was ok) They cleaned it up & then checked if she was ok, then made a effort to have her see dolphins cause they didn’t want her to miss out. 😁

L. T.

Due to a foggy day we just toured around the sea and got a full refund at the end. Was nice cruise even without the whales/dolphins. Good service.

F. Q.

There are just great. The staff is fun and very competent in what there'll doing. And the policy of getting a free voucher if the trip don't live up to there high standards, is for real. Went twice, and will be coming back.

T. A.

Was our second time, saw plenty of dolphins! Highly recommend, crew is suuuper friendly 🛥️💖

R. D.

We went out yesterday and were lucky enough to see a few very playful and friendly common dolphins 😌 sadly saw no whales but the dolphins were the highlight 10/10 would recommend, friend and professional staff too 😌

S. Z.

Amazing experience to get close to the dolphins and whales. We were given commentary most of the time by the crew and a great help for us to know better about marine life and around Hauraki bay.

Absolutely amazing experience, we saw lots and lots of dolphins and two whales pluss lots of bird life as well. The staff and skipper are friendly and very helpful . There knowledge of marine life is exceptional. A++.

A. F.

The most amazing day out, we were not disappointed seeing loads of dolphins and a rare Sei whale! The captain was very entertaining and him and his crew were extremely knowledgable and seemed equally excited to see the marine life as the guests on board!

I loved this cruise and staff are very friendly and nice but I have been on it twice already and both times I haven't seen many sea animals or any. I wonder if they should change the timings for it to when sea mammals are more active, like perhaps in the morning. I'd love to see some sea animals next time I go. It's good they at least give people free vouchers to return in case they don't see anything on the cruise.

B. S.

Awesome day out saw plenty of dolphins and gannets feeding. The skipper was friendly and funny and all the crew were very knowledgeable.

R. M.

Great experience, we saw lots of dolphins and two whales. Really well informed and friendly staff. Wonderful day out!

B. C.

This is what sustainable tourism should be. Well done guys. Amazing people. Bravo.

A. L.

Had a great time here. The crew is friendly and the captain had a good tone of voice. Unfortunately we did not see any whales, but the dolphins put on quite a show. As others has mentioned there is no guarantee that you will see anything as these are wild animals, but if you don't then you can do another ride for free. The price is a bit high, but I think it was worth the money. I would also like to thank the woman at the ticket counter for getting us on the boat that day, even if it was fully booked. You made our day.

C. F.

Clean, comfortable, informative and welcoming but I do wonder if 4 hours blasting around the gulf at 25knots is more eco terrorism than eco tourism when the marine mammals are so elusive as to be undiscoverable. Recommend you wait for a 5 knot forecast.

The staff is funny, helpful and great in a sticky situation. Our boat broke down in the middle of the tour and they handled themselves perfectly making sure everyone was happy, safe and not freaking out. We got a voucher to come back and do another tour at any time as compensation. We saw dolphins, gannets and other sea birds as well as a couple penguins. Hopefully we'll be able to see some whales the next time we go out.

It was a beautiful experience. Saw huge number of dolphins in feeding action along with lots of garret birds. Unfortunately couldn't spot a whale. Educative crew, beautiful boat. Only disappointments were that we had to pay a full 130 NZ dollars for my 1 yr old infant!! (Half the price would have been a better deal) And no treats on the boat ( having paid so much per ticket atleast a snack was expected)

R. M.

19 people came to play today. Sadly no sightings. But we get to play another day. Professional crew all round. Great to destress with all that going on. Good weather. Beautiful fresh air. Great company in the x19. The Hauraki Gulf delivered.

Good value. We did not have a lucky whale watch experience, but the crew did their best to find dolphins. And the company gave us vouchers that never expire, to be able to return again at no additional charge.

WHAT A DAY!!! We were lucky enough to see both dolphins and whales and have stunning weather! The day was not only exciting to see this wildlife in our own backyard but to also learn some really interesting facts and tips on how we can help keep our oceans clean for the animals! Awesome for kids and adults!

We headed out on the morning of the 28th Dec in the morning. It was a great trip for our young boys and we managed to see 3 large pods of dolphins. We would def recommend

It was a wonderful day. The trip on the catamaran was nice and we saw dolphins. We didn't see any wales but everybody on board got a free voucher to make the whole trip again. So everybody has the chance to see whales ans that is very fair. Loved it😊🐬🐋

Great tour and very nice guides. They really appreciate the animals and will never go after them, just to get a picture. Highly recommend!

R. G.

The boat was very nice and comfortable with a recent refurbishment. The crew greeted me onboard and made me feel welcome. I really liked how I could sit on the bow of the boat, in the bridge or outside. There was plenty of space to roam around. It was a beautiful day out on the Hauraki Gulf and I enjoyed hearing about the marine research activities that the crew does each day while taking the tours. We saw seals, dolphins and were fortunate enough to pygmy blue whales. They are the second biggest animal in the world. We saw more dolphins coming in which was a personal highlight for me. We also stopped to pick up rubbish twice. If you are looking for a different way to appreciate and explore the beautiful area that we live in, I highly recommend this activity. Thank you.

Phenomenal trip, and a fantastic crew!! These tours help support their excellent marine conservation research, and the crew are both friendly and knowledgeable experts. For the best experience be prepared to get wet, and I wouldn't recommend wearing jeans!

Loved everything about my day out. The weather was perfect, the crew were professional and informative about all the wildlife, I now really want to come back as a Dolphin😂 I was disappointed not seeing Brydes Whale or any Whales but not disappointed in my day. Was nice of the Bottle Nose Dolphins to pop by. Highly recommended trip.

Really enjoyed the safari. A great place, fine boat and really knowledgeable and engaging crew. We learned new things, saw the wonderful Hauraki Gulf and were fortunate to encounter spectacular marine mammals. Our family group were really impressed and happy with the overall experience. Keep up the great work!

D. E.

I really enjoyed my time on the dolphin explorer boat, the crew were so friendly and knowledgable. I got to see lots of dolphins and sea birds which was cool. No whales with the weather a bit too cold but we got to spend ages watching the dolphins. The boat was great and had lots of handrails for those unsteady on their feet.

M. M.

Highly recommended. So much more than dolphin and whale watching, I really felt that I was supporting the research and environment. Crew and captain were all so knowledgeable, super helpful and engaged. Highlights were the baby dolphins, penguins!!

a. m.

Really good experience. The team are amazing and can't believe you get vouchers that are good for life if you don't see anything. We went twice and caught a glimpse of bottlenose dolphins but unfortunately not anything else. Sadly couldn't go again but will be keeping my voucher. A side note, if you sit at the front of the boat you WILL get wet. Me and my sister sat at the front and whilst everyone else decided to go inside we (stupidly?) stayed outside and got SOAKED! The team was lovely though and gave us towels and we're such good sports about it. Really would recommend!

J. M.

We had the best trip on the Auckland whale and dolphin safari! The kids (3 & 2) loved it so much and the whales and dolphins were absolutley magical. The staff were knowledgable and so helpful and friendly. We would highly recommend this trip!

A. A.

Reading about the recent blue whale encounters out in the Gulf we decided to book a ticket with Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari and headed out yesterday afternoon. It was simply amazing - the crew were engaging and informative, and going out past Tiri we found four blue whales, getting to spend over an hour hanging out with them while they fed. Having traveled the world to have experiences like this it was so cool to do it in our own backyard. As the boat doubles as a research vessel it was interesting to hear what people are doing on a daily basis to look after the gem that is the Hauraki Gulf. Thanks guys, you helped create a great new memory, one we will treasure.

Incredible experience and the staff on board are very friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable as well.

Amazing! The crew is awesome. We took our 1.5 year old with us, she slept through most of the trip because of the vibrations. We saw a lot of dulphins and whales. We will do this again very soon. Thank you ❤️

A. S.

Went with family and we loved it! Crew is super friendly and very knowledgeable. Captain's commentary was full of humour and very entertaining. And while we searched for dolphin and whales, the scenery around was just awesome. All in all a must do, if you visit Auckland.

Hopefully next time will be third time lucky. Crew are great, boat is comfortable (although if its busy it's hard finding a seat). Been twice and only saw a handful of common dolphins at the most. At least we were given a voucher to come back, hopefully I'll have better luck next time.

M. A.

What a fabulous trip. Crew very friendly and caring for the sea’s and our future -skipper has a great sense of humor along with a wealth of knowledge imparted in an interesting way. We didn’t see whales but the dolphin sightings made up for it along with the couple of cute penguins. We will be back in June to hopefully see some whales.

Enjoyable trip out on the boat yesterday. Got to see a couple of dolphins and the weather wasn't very good however it was very informative and got to learn lots about the area and animals. They gave us vouchers to come on board again which I think is very reasonable and looking forward to getting out on the boat again.

B. O.

We saw dolphins, no whales. A bit crowded and people are very eager about seating. Smooth boat ride and awesome crew. I think they said 50% of the time they see whales. Maybe other times of year it is better.

An awesome afternoon on the boat , breathing the sea air, watching the whale and dolphins. It is something I wanted to do for a long time, and found the Great boat and Crews to do it. The captain is resourceful and funny. The crews were friendly. I'm glad to have talked to them who could tell you things that books couldn't tell about whales and dolphins.

A. S.

Really I’d say 2.5 stars, but I couldn’t do 2. It’s about an hour too long, and WAY overpriced. It’s actually a neat little tour of the islands near Auckland, but as far as whale watching goes it’s not much of an experience. Admittedly I’m speaking as someone who used to live in Hawaii, where you just see whales from your window, and you can’t go swimming without a dolphin coming up to you, but when you go whale watching there it’s a much better experience. I’d think just going on a ferry on an island tour would be faster, more cost effective, and you’d probably see just as many dolphins. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t a “bad,” experience, in retrospect I just wouldn’t go whale watching in NZ.

I didn't see a single animal on this trip. No whales, no dolphins, nothing. But the staff was really nice about it. They apologized and gave us vouchers to come back whenever we want. Even in 30 years. My friend went the next day and saw dolphins, but because they didn't get to see whales, she once again got a voucher to come back. The service is great!

A. T.

Don't miss the chance to enjoy this tour. All crew are marine biologist and they are super fun. The money for your ticket goes to fund research and conservation of this animals. Highly recommended

Got to travel on 10/06/18, the staff is very nice, the cruise was pleasant, and you get to learn a lot (at least for myself) about sea stuff. And you get a voucher to come back if you dont see any animals. Amazing landscape and a beautiful view on Auckland's skyline when you come back.

Pros: Weather was great, staff were friendly and informative and the lead guide was funny. The Hauraki is beautiful in any weather. Spent a lovely half hour with a pod of common dolphins. Cons: No whales were seen (which was what I really wanted to see). 30 mins of a 4 hour trip makes it more a harbour cruise than a whale and dolphin experience :-(

Well worth it. We saw dolphins and had a nice boat trip

We weren't so lucky to see whales but there was plenty of Dolphins and we enjoyed that a lot together with kids. . Staff is very friendly and they tried hard to spot whales. We learned o lot about wildlife in harbour on that cruize. Just be aware that it could be bumpy.

They are so friendly and authentic! We didn't get to see any whales or dolphins but they gave all of us vouchers to come back again and again until we do. Would give them 10 stars if there was that option!

L. W.

Had an amazing afternoon out with Auckland Dolphin and Whale safari on Thursday! The crew were absolutely lovely and incredibly knowledgable, and the entire trip was unforgettable. Highly recommended if you're looking for a unique and educational experience!

We have seen the whale and dolphins. Nice staffs.

S. D.

Amazing experience. Not only did we see far more than expected, but the experience of the crew was top level - sharing their knowledge of the superb work they do to help learn more and more and protect the animals all around the Hauraki Gulf!

H. L.

Definitely recommend this company. One of the best dolphin safaris I've been on. They do lots of Marin research on board, which was interesting to learn about. A must during your visit to Auckland.

I was sceptical before boarding about how we would fare with spotting whales and dolphins but AWADS really delivered- of course every day is different but looking back even if we’d not seen any wildlife I would have been happy. The Captain demonstrated some fantastic seamanship, the crew were great and managed to guide us in to a pod of orcas and later some very playful dolphins. There was a well stocked cafe on board with snacks for those who were peckish. The boat itself was spotless and a pleasure to sail on. Get yourself some tickets and speak to the crew who are all passionate and extremely knowledgeable.

M. C.

We saw some amazing wildlife on this trip! Seeing two blue whales (separately) was incredible. Blue and orcas were my No.1 hope for this trip so I was pretty happy. Didn't see orcas, and sadly no dolphins either, but also saw two Bryde's whales (mother and baby). I'd also recommend people are careful on the front of the boat - they warned us there could be splashing but I forgot and got excited when we spotted the first blue whale in the distance and I got ABSOLUTELY SOAKED. My camera even stopped working for a while and I missed taking some good pictures of the Bryde's whales feeding. So be careful!! My only real criticism of this tour is that there were too many people on board (sold out tour - 100 people I think). It was uncomfortable with people constantly bumping into each other, difficult to get good pictures and and not enough space inside to warm up.

c. b.

THE best thing to do in Auckland! If you are keen to get out of the city and see some wildlife, this trip on the Hauraki Gulf is for you!! I'm a local and have been on this trip three times over the years. I have seen dolphins, whales including the rare orca! The trip is a good half day and the crew are all marine biologists or have experience in marine science so they definitely know what they are talking about! They teach you during the whole trip all about the local area and how they find the animals. You can tell these people love their jobs and are dedicating a lot of time to spread awareness of the importance of the oceans. There is a cafe and souvenir shop too. One thing to take note of, that it is a boat, and you are going on the water. I saw a few people surprised that they got wet at times at the front of the boat...don't be, it's actually quite fun!!

J. R.

Saw pinguins, saw a flock of dolphins about 100 or so.. it is amazing experience. No whale though. I gave 5 stars because in the end, they gave us coupons to come back again for free if this trip doesnt live up to our expectation. Great crew, cool chatty captain, good selections of alcohol and non alcoholic beverages.

A. I.

Humorous & informative staff, included info on marine life and the research happening as well. Long trip and luckily got to see dolphins and a furry seal. Dolphins loved swimming the boat!

B. F.

Extremely knowledgeable staff with a genuine passion for the work they do. The boat has plenty of viewing spots and there is a strong focus on safety. A must do for anyone even remotely interested in whales and dolphins.

J. A.

Brilliant day out. Highly recommended. We had two couples from UK staying and decided to take them out for the afternoon on the harbour. Auckland harbour is always a treat and the day was perfect with low wind and fine sunny weather. We loved every aspect of this trip. The boat was large fast, stable and immaculate. The crew were incredibly helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. The commentaries really helped us to understand what was happening with the science as well as the spectacle. The wildlife in Auckland is amazing. We saw gannets and other seabirds feeding, little blue penguins and lots of dolphins who seemed very playful and relaxed, coming right up to and around the boat. The highlight was a large Brydes whale which was actively feeding. We were able to stay close and track it as it dived, fed, surfaced again over about 20 minutes continuously. The skipper took us at high speed all over Aucklands amazing harbour looking for wildlife. The views themselves of jewel like islands set in crystal clear water were worth the trip. What a lucky country this is. This was a trip of a lifetime, all our visitors agreed that this was the definite highlight of their visit to auckland. For what you get this really is very good value. I will defintely come again.

Great experience, worth the money. Unfortunatly the whales did not want to show themselves but we were treated to huge displays of Dolohins. Lovely crew aboard the Dolphom explorer and a great day out! Highly recommended!

The most spectacular day spent out in the Hauraki Gulf! What an adventure! We started out our day on a mission to rescue a distressed swimmer at Takapuna, luckily the swimmer reached the shore safely by the time we got there, so that was great news :) We saw two pods of common dolphins, Bryde's whale - which is quite a unique whale to encounter as it's rare and critically endangered, so seeing one in the wild puts a huge smile on your face. And the best for last, Orcas! 5 of them! They were very interactive and spent a good amount of time with us and we also did get to see a lone blue penguin. The crew is very accommodating, knowledgeable and helpful. We were introduced to all the birds that occupy the gulf and the surrounding islands. Overall, a great day spent with nature and her many treasures!

View ws breathtaking but we cud nt see ny dolphins or whales.so a bit dissapointed.

N. M.

Great experience. Seen dolphins but sadly no whales, but was well worth it. The sunset on the way bk added to r amazing day on the boat. Would definitely recommend.

It was a great expierence to be so close to these wild animals. Moreover you also get some intresting background information. The crew is so friendly and they give their best of serching for dolphins and whales. I can really recomend this tour. Thank you for that lovely afternoon.

Not recommended for family with pre-school children. My 19 months daughter was scared and kept crying when the ship was really bumpy at some points, although the weather was really good. Lucky for my son, he slept for almost two hours during trip.

V. R.

Absolutely fantastic! Was treated to soooo many dolphins, and gannets by the hundreds diving all around the boat... truly memorable and grand!

This is a great way to get out on the Hauraki Gulf to see Marine mammals and bird life. When you book a trip you are supporting Marine wildlife monitoring. Magical if you get a great viewing day. But just like a lottery but you have to be in to win.

D. S.

Great excursion. Ideal way to spend an afternoon. Amazing crew. Amazing company. Good ethos on customer service. Their complimentary ticket if no mammals seen policy is great.

After initial problems with our first trip AWADS provided us with a complementary trip. We saw lots of dolphins and one Sei whale. A good day out in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.

I really love the passion staff have for their work. I've been twice on this boat and will gladly come back in the future. If you decide to sit outside I would definitely recommend a waterproof layer for ALL weather conditions. If you get sea sick, look to the horizon and avoid confined spaces.

T. L.

Fantastic day out on the water! Fortunate enough to see a close up pod of Orcas with calves, hundreds of dolphins and divebombing ganetts hunting for food, all surrounded by spectacular natural scenery. Wonderful, knowledgeable crew doing great work in the interests of research and conservation. Highly recommend !

Very friendly stuff, had a sunny day. Unfortunately we did not seen some whales and only few dolphins. It is very rare to see whales so you have to Be lucky if you see some. If you are not seeing some whales, you can repeat this trip for free

R. S.

Honestly an amazing experience. I got seasick after a bit and the ladies were so so attentive and caring. They kept us fully informed on all fronts.

J. A.

The most exhilarating experience of my life time . The magical symphony of dolphins and the seabirds was a never before for me and I give all credits to the crew who made it possible! - captain Dareen, Sarah. Florine and Giv - kudos to you guys !!! Must do with them whenever in NZ.

Great trip, saw lots and lots of dolphins, although no whales this day. Good crowd, good service, informative and funny commentary from the captain

It was our first trip to New Zealand and we had only been married a year.The ocean and Auckland itself was so new and exciting with it's new images and smells and then after a long search we saw that majestic back of the world's largest whale come out of the water and the excitement was wild.

Fantastic day on the water. So much info from the crew who are conducting research and the day at the same time. Don't think there is a better way to see the harbour and gulf! A must do activity for Aucklanders and travelers alike.

Great service n information. All crews are full with enthusiasm, care for the people, safety first were demonstrated n always on lookout for people ensuring all are taken care. Well done team ! N thks for showing us the dolphins n whales...

D. H.

Amazing trip. Saw whales and dolphins was only around 15 of us on a 100 man boat so there was loads of room. Staff very helpful and friendly.

The wind and the waves got a bit rough, however the skipper managed to get to where the dolphins were. The crews and the skipper apologised for the bad weather and gave us everyone on board a complimentary ticket for a free ride in the future. That was awesome...

Fantastic crew, fantastic experience, highly recommended. The crew are very friendly, experienced and knowledgeable. The experience alone would have been great but the amazing people make it an excellent day out for anyone.

T. F. P.

The trip was long, at first we didn't see much whales and it was quite boring but the dolphins one was the best out of the trip.

Amazing day! We saw dolphins, a shark and a couple of blue whales and the crew were fantastic from start to finish, I highly recommend doing this at least once.

Amazing experience .... guaranteed whale watching and if not they give free experience until you do . Not too overcrowded and must do Auckland tourism experience

Amazing group to work with, with a warm, friendly, and very natural crew! They do excellent work, both with the safari and in their research for marine life. A must-do while in Auckland for sure!

Very good experience and I managed to see dolphins, whales and seabirds. The crew are very nice and good. Recommended very much.

Awesome day out on the water with Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari. Very informative crew and yes we saw dolphins first shortly followed by whales.

Really enjoyed the afternoon, and it is clear how dedicated the staff are to showcasing their marine research as well as giving everyone a great experience on the safari. I don't think it's the best value, hence the 4 stars, but I would still recommend.

Fantastic day on sea spotting whales, sharks, dolphins, small penguins and more with expert commentary. So glad to be able to support - in a small way- the important research work they do.

Fantastic! Dolphins galore, gannets, a Bryde's whale and even a fur seal. Immensely knowledgeable commentary with a genuine passion for the environment in general and the Hauraki Gulf in particular. Cannot recommend it highly enough, whatever your age.

Saw approx 400 dolphins and Brydes whale as well. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Great afternoon at sea

Very nice, scenic ride, and it doesn't matter which side of the boat you choose, you'll likely be able to see a cetacean or two.

Fantastic day saw whales dolphins and ganets. A long day for a 5yr old but 7yr old and 10 yr old loved it

P. R.

It might seem a quite a bit to spend on an afternoon but I've taken a few people in it and it's actually really good value for money and an amassing way to see the Hauraki gulf let alone the amazing wildlife

The most amazing way to spend your day. Lovely and knowledgeable staff who do their utmost to ensure you see the spectacular wildlife present in our waters. Highly recommended!

Nice day out on the water. Staff were very nice.

Excellent adventure! Went whake watching with those guys today, seen whales, dolphins and pinguins .Staff are superfriendly, and boat is excellent.Highly recommend to anyone.

F. V.

Totally awesome trip and well worth the money. We were lucky to have spotted plenty of Bryde's whales and dolphins!

C. H.

Really an impressive experience. Staff very friendly and open to everyone. Boat in good condition, nice and clean. Overall an amazing trip.

Amazing experience today. Approximately 500 dolphins. Attentive and informative crew. Loved it.

The staff were informative and enthusiastic, managed to see excellent examples of common dolphin in their natural habitat on my trip, definitely recommend it.

A good trip out on the harbour but didn't see any whales. Vessel and crew are nice and friendly.

Good environment. Friendly reminder, you are bound to get wet on this safari if you are out in front 😛

Highly recommended, great trip and excellent crew. Do not miss this one!

Very nice boat tour with good chances to see dolphins and whales. Well trained staff provides information and interesting insights

Excellent trip! Saw the common dolphins and were lucky enough to see a pod of orcas with a baby! Awesome skipper and crew!

Amazing experience! Strongly recommended

I've done it 3 times it's rad. Even if you don't see anything, they give you a return trip. But it's such a beautiful day

Amazing. Very friendly, enthusiastic and intelligent crew. Explained everything they were doing to find the dolphins and whales that we saw

K. T.

Had a great time watching wild dolphins. But some day you cant find any and that will be a waste of 4-5 hours.

Very profesional, hilarious captain, educated crew, great experience. I really love this adventure So they deserve 5 stars because I really enjoy it.

What an amazing experience , We had Rob as our Skipper who made the trip freat fun , We got to see alot of Common Dolphins on the way out but the highlight was getting to see a Pod of Ocra , As there are only 200 around NZ getting to see 6 of them and they only get to see them on around 5% of trips it was pretty awesome, will tell all about it so they can hopefully experience the same

Don't expect too much of activates at the sea as it's all depends on luck. Staffs are friendly and knowledgeable, recommended for a trip out to the sea.

Excellent, informative trip with top class crew. Highly recommended to all visitors to Auckland.

One of our best experiences!!! Highly recommended!!!

M. Y.

Worth every penny. What an amazing experience.

The best interactive whale and dolphin watching, very friendly and informative staff. Once in a lifetime experience

Friendly, helpful, and informative crew. Beautiful boat and the chance for an awesome experience right there from down town!!

It was okay, needed more activities or things to keep kids entertained for the length of the cruise.

Wonderful day out, well worth the money. Have since sent numerous members of friends and family on this trip too, all have thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

P. P.

Hard to put into words the excitement of over 100 dolphins swimming all around you. Unreal experience 😀

Didn't see much on the trip but it was still worth it. Great scenic views, learned about the ocean and phytoplankton.

Really disappointing as we hardly see any dolphins and only one small whale but the staff were great and looked really hard

Very good! Saw so many dolphins and they were so fast! Thanks for the tour!

Brillant experience!!! Great team, gorgeous views and dolphins n whales to boot

Very lucky we see a lot dolphins, we should take care of the animal in the sea.

b. h. l.

Even at that day i can't see the Whale but they have get a voucher by any time free for see whale & dolphin at next trip.

It was informative and comfortable, was given a voucher when we didnt see much and came again and saw lots on a nicer day

Great outing but what shame can't see dolphins. Weather was rough but get voucher can visits whenever i can

Saw a whale, was awesome! Also saw dolphins and learnt heaps from the researchers.

Great experience. Ride is quite bumpy. Those who get seasick need to prepare.

Was invited to a party and they used their boat for it. Was a great experience. Friendly staff and clean boat.

Our kids absolutely loved seeing the dolphins, should have done this much sooner.

Great adventure,friendly crew and got to see some cool whale action

Awesome experience watching Dolphins & Whales in their natural habitant..absolutely recommend this safari!!!!

Second trip out with these guys and awesome sightings of multiple whales and dolphins. Thank you do much!!!

Great staff and fab boat trip. Shame our trip didn't bring any sightings

Amazing. Private charter and the crew were incredible... so helpful.

Dolphins, penguins, birds, & a whale. Can't ask for anymore than that. Knowledgeable crew.

A great interesting trip with friendly crew. Well worth every cent.

If you want to feel Wildlife at its best you have to join this experience.

Great adventure. Would definitely recommend and also will go again.

Spectacular experience ✨

The staff is really knowledgeable and friendly

Just amazing and so relaxing. Awesome crue..💞

J. V. K.

Just spent an afternoon with the crew of the luxury catamaran that takes you to an encounter with some of nature’s most extraordinary creatures. Whales, dolphins and a range of sea birds were all present to make this a day I’ll remember. Thumbs up for all of the team at Auckland whale and dolphin safari: it was great fun learning about our whole ecosystem.

Loved it crew is great captain is hilarious!

Really awesome day out, brilliant boat with fantastic crew.

Tidy modern vessel, helpful, friendly crew. A great experience.

Amazing! Thanks so much for the best day yesterday. Very highly recommended!

Worth it, we get to see the dolphin up close in the wild

Great activity but its a weather dependent event.

Friendly staff and some nice BBQ food on our trip to Motuihe.

Great day - friendly knowledgable crew - highly recommend it.

Worth it, check it out good deals going on grabone

Excellent boat and knowledgeable staff

Apart from being sea sick it was an amazing experience

Fishing club tea at the school house

Wonderful afternoon. Great team. Superb.

Amazing day out on the water with the family

Gr8 experience.

Loved it. 👌 👌

Had an amazing journey on the water

I enjoyed it

Great fun and always see something

Awesome cruise experience

l. j.

Lucky day!

I went on this tour with my boyfriend and had an incredible time! The crew was super friendly and informative, even quizzing us along the way. The boat was really cool - especially since you could sit in the front and enjoy a couple of drinks from the best view in the house. We got to see hundreds and hundreds of dolphins jumping in and out of the water, swimming right alongside the boat. It was an unforgettable experience!

Auckland weather made it a rough at sea yesterday so the captain came and explained that is wasn't a ideal day for going on the boat. I was amazed that they kindly gave us the option to either go regardless of weather/rebook/or get refunded. They are amazing and we where sad to have missed out but thankful in the ease of a refund. Just on a side not I have been out on this boat before and enjoyed it so much I brought my nieces back. Great company!!!

Awesome experience!

Good staff and nice organisation!

Right before I got sea sick.

Must do It!

Awesome trip!

Support the research they do

Amazing experience!!

Awesome boat ride and experience.

Awesome

More people need to see this place !!

Its amazing experience

Awesome

Amazing, just amazing

A. R.

Super

Unique experience

Saw dolphins

Friendly staff

Wonderfully

Mind blowing

Outstanding

(Translated) Always a nice trip with many great photo options. Recommendable (Original) Immer wieder ein schöner Ausflug mit vielen Tollen Fotoptionen. Empfehlenswert

(Translated) Located on Auckland Harbor, this company offers trips to dolphin and whale watching. Personally I had a great time with a skilful captain, knowing the corners where the specimens are potentially observable. After each trip is different because it is difficult to see them for sure, so take advantage of the moment and hope to have the chance to be there at the right time. (Original) Situé sur le port d'Auckland, cette société propose des excursions pour aller observer les dauphins et baleines. Personnellement j'ai passé un super moment avec un capitaine au petit soins, connaissant les coins où les spécimens sont potentiellement observable. Après chaque excursions sont différentes car il est difficile de les voir a coup sûr, il faut donc profiter du moment et espèrer avoir la chance d'être là au bon moment.

(Translated) Great experience and never seen so many dolphins. Unfortunately, no Waale but that's the way it is in nature. (Original) Tolle Erfahrung und noch nie so viele Delphine gesehen. Leider keine Waale aber so ist es halt in der Natur.

(Translated) Very good experience, we saw many dolphins, a barbaric day, highly recommended (Original) Muy buena experiencia, vimos muchos delfines, un dia barbaro, muy recomendable

(Translated) Fantastic experience and a great team. Dolphins appeared quickly and collaborated as if they were arranged with the organizers. The band's enormous skill was clearly visible, which was actively looking for traces of all fauna. We watched entire flocks of birds hunting for fish. The captain and staff were constantly watching the surface of the ocean with binoculars, directing the boat in a different direction. A real safari! And finally, what we've all been waiting for. Water geysers, massive bodies emerging from the water. Whales! I recorded the appearance of whales four times, what a great feeling. Great care of the whole team completed the feeling of enormous contentment and satisfaction. I highly recommend it to everyone! (Original) Fantastyczne doświadczenie i wspaniały zespół. Delfiny pojawiły się szybko i współpracowały jakby były umówione z organizatorami. Widać było ogromną wprawę zespołu, który bardzo aktywnie poszukiwał śladów wszelakiej fauny. Obserwowaliśmy całe stada ptaków polujących na ryby. Kapitan i obsługa ciągle obserwowali lornetkami powierzchnię oceanu, kierując łódź w co rusz to innym kierunku. Prawdziwe safari! I na koniec to, na co wszyscy czekaliśmy. Gejzery wody, masywne ciała wynurzające się z wody. Wieloryby! Nagrałem czterokrotne pojawienie się wielorybów, co za wspaniałe uczucie. Wspaniała opieka całego zespołu dopełniła poczucie ogromnego zadowolenia i satysfakcji. Gorąco polecam wszystkim!

(Translated) We have seen a lot of common dolphins, unfortunately nothing else. The skipper annoys a bit with his played, exaggerated way when he tells something. Sometimes we felt that no effort was made to find whales after seeing the dolphins. It's hard to explain why we felt that way, but you can not find whales if you're just heating over the ocean, you need more rest. Otherwise it was a nice trip. The crew is made up of marine biologists who can tell you a lot if you want. The ride also includes a "thrilling" plankton particle whose time I would have preferred to find with whales. Otherwise it is to say that it is not held the tour, the money is refunded or you can rebook. If you do not see marine mammals, you will get a lifelong coupon by boat until you see one. (Original) Wir haben eine Menge gemeine Delphine gesehen, sonst leider nichts. Der Skipper nervt ein wenig mit seiner gespielten, übertriebenen Art, wenn er irgendwas erzählt. Manchmal hatten wir das Gefühl, dass sich keine Mühe gegeben wurde Wale zu finden, nachdem wir die Delphine gesehen hatten. Es ist schwer zu erklären, warum wir so empfunden haben, jedoch kann man keine Wale finden, wenn man einfach nur über den Ozean heizt, dafür braucht man mehr Ruhe. Sonst war es Mal ein netter Trip. Die Crew besteht aus Meeresbiologen, die einem eine Menge erzählen können, wenn man möchte. Zu der Fahrt gehört auch noch ein "spannendes" Planktonteilchen zählen, dessen Zeit ich lieber mit Wale finden verbracht hätte. Sonst ist zu sagen, dass es bei nicht stattfinden der Tour das Geld zurückerstattet wird oder man umbuchen kann. Wenn man keine Meeressäugetiere sieht, bekommt man einen Lifelong Gutschein mit dem Boot zu fahren, bis man einen gesehen hat.

(Translated) After successfully seeing the dolphins, the captain and crew are all experienced and have completed a bachelor of oceanography. The boat is very tidy, and there are also toilets and cafes. It is recommended not to buy tickets online, discounts are available for on-site ticket purchases. (Original) 成功看到海豚，船長船員都富有經驗並修畢海洋學學士，全程專業講解。船很整潔，亦有洗手間及 cafe. 建議不要網上購票，現場購票有折扣優惠。

(Translated) Dolphins swimming from the top of the ship are completely different from aquariums. The whale was only seen watching the tide in the distance. It seems that the animals to be seen depend on the day. (Original) 船の上から見る、泳いでるイルカは、水族館とは全然違います。クジラは遠くで潮を吹いたのが観られただけでした。観られる動物は日によるらしいです。

(Translated) Tour is worth it. Starts daily (except Sunday) from 1:30 pm. We saw a lot of dolphins and also whales and a shark. (Original) Tour lohnt sich. Startet täglich (außer Sonntag) ab 1:30 pm. Wir haben sehr viele Delfine und auch Wale und einen Hai gesehen.

香.

(Translated) Traveling thousands of miles is worse than taking a boat on the journey (Original) 行萬里路不如坐一趟旅程中的船

(Translated) A great sunny afternoon 😎 thank you to auckland whale and dolphin saphari thanks to whom I was able to admire dolphins and orcas for the first time in my life, it was magical ... (Original) Un super apres midi ensoleillé 😎 merci a auckland whale and dolphin saphari grace a qui j'ai pu admirer pour la premiere fois de ma vie des dauphins et des orques, c'etait magique...

נ.

(Translated) Can't explain in words, just amazing! We saw lots of birds, endless spectacular dolphins, and finally ... 2 huge whales. fulfilling a dream. There is no other word. Required! (Original) לא ניתן להסביר במילים, פשוט מדהים! ראינו המון ציפורים, אין סוף דולפינים מרהיבים, ולסיום... 2 לוויתנים ענקיים. הגשמת חלום. אין מילה אחרת. חובה!

(Translated) Here you can take a varied cruise, where boats and ships can be seen, dolphins can be seen and the place is also beautiful and full of cafes, souvenir shops and restaurants. (Original) هنا يمكنك اخذ رحلة بحرية متنوعة حيث مرفئ للقوارب والسفن ويمكن مشاهدة الدلافين والمكان ايضا جميل ومليئ بالمقاهي والمحلات التذكارية والمطاعم

(Translated) Fantastic tour. One of the best experiences of my life. A must to do in Auckland. (Original) Fantastico tour. Una delle migliori esperienze della mia vita. Un must to do ad Auckland.

(Translated) Excellent time whale dolphins, in short the top without forgetting the magnificent view on the return on the bay of Auckland (Original) Excellent moment dauphins baleines, bref le top sans oublier la magnifique vue au retour sur la baie d'Auckland

С.

(Translated) An amazing captain, there are a lot of dolphins, everyone is sure to visit. (Original) Потрясающий капитан, дельфинов очень много, всем обязательно к посящению.

(Translated) Very nice tour with good explanations and also some dolphins. Unfortunately, no whales. (Original) Sehr schöne Tour mit guten Erklärungen und auch einigen Delphinen. Leider keine Wale.