Port to Port Cruises and Wildlife Tours

Welcome to Port to Port Cruises and Wildlife Tours, located at Port Chalmers on Peninsula Beach Road in Dunedin, New Zealand. If you're looking for an unforgettable experience, you've come to the right place!

Join Skipper Rachel on her custom-built boat, Sootychaser, for an adventure like no other. Embark on a cycling journey along the Otago Harbour, crossing the harbor by ferry and exploring 36 kilometers of flat, paved shared cycle and walkways from Portobello to Port Chalmers. The Port to Port ferry adds an element of fun and excitement to complete the loop. For more ideas on what to do along the way, visit our website at www.dunedincycleway.co.nz. Book now for the Cycle Ferry experience.

Embark on a 2-hour cruise (approximately) with our expert guide and skipper onboard Sootychaser, as we explore the Otago Harbour in Dunedin. Keep an eye out for seals, sea lions, albatross, penguins, and a variety of sea birds at the Taiaroa Head nature reserve. Not only will you get to witness rare and endangered wildlife, but you'll also learn about the working Port at Port Chalmers, the history of shipwrecks on Quarantine Island, the volcanic nature of the area, early European and Whaling history, and much more. Sit back and relax near your expert guide on this comfortable and safe custom-built vessel. You will start and finish at the same location unless you prefer a different drop-off point.

Our ferry service is a popular activity for families, locals, and tourists alike. It's also a great choice for work parties who want to go from "Pub To Pub." We offer special packages for birthday parties, such as Treasure Hunts on Quarantine Island for children, or adults can enjoy a trip to Careys Bay Hotel for lunch. During school holidays, we offer various cruises, including Treasure Hunts, Mini Harbour Tours, and Marine Studies Centre Touch Tank Tours, among others.

Our water taxi service makes it convenient to travel from one side of the harbor to the other, connecting Port Chalmers, Portobello, and Quarantine Island. Take the opportunity to enjoy a coffee or beverage on the other side, visit the playground at Portobello, have an ice cream, or go for a scenic walk with friends. You can even bring your bike or dog along for the ride! Our informative commentary along the way adds an extra dimension to the journey. If you choose not to disembark on the other side, we call it the Mini Tour, which offers the most picturesque views of Otago Harbour, according to our skipper!

At Port to Port Cruises and Wildlife Tours, we proudly collaborate with Wildlife Pencil Artist Ferne Eagle. Ferne designs and draws local wildlife that we encounter on our trips, which we then print in color on various items such as T-Shirts, masks, hats, and more. These items can be made to order, and we also have some stock available onboard Sootychaser. Alternatively, you can order online, and we offer shipping both overseas and locally.

Wildlife is abundant at Taiaroa Head nature reserve throughout the year. We often see Subantarctic visitors, including different albatross species and Giant Petrels, during the winter season. Join Skipper Rachel on Sootychaser to see and learn about seals, albatross, and much more!

Our Wildlife Cruise with Rachel to Taiaroa Head nature reserve is an incredible opportunity to spot albatross, seals, penguins, sea lions, sea birds, and more. This 2-hour cruise includes full commentary, and we provide high-quality binoculars for your convenience. Along the way, you'll get to see the Taiaroa Head lighthouse, pass by shipwrecks on Quarantine Island, learn about the area's history, and observe workboats and ships in action.

Here are a few additional details you should know: we operate daily, as long as we have met the minimum number of participants, which is usually four adults. Our boat is equipped with a bathroom and a heated cabin, ensuring your comfort throughout the journey. We keep our group sizes small, with a maximum of 14 people. If you're a local resident of New Zealand, be sure to inquire about our special discount. To get an idea of what to expect, check out our reviews on TripAdvisor.

You can find us at either 837 Portobello Road, Portobello, Otago Peninsula, or 39 Peninsula Beach Road, Port Chalmers, Dunedin.

If you have any questions or queries, we've compiled a list of frequently asked questions on our website to provide you with all the information you need.

Don't just take our word for it - discover why people are using phrases like "Absolutely Fabulous Wildlife Tour" and "First-class experience" to describe their time with us.

Come and meet Rachel McGregor, our skilled skipper and wildlife tour operator, for an unforgettable adventure with Port to Port Cruises and Wildlife Tours!