Albatross, Wildlife and Harbour Cruise

Stunning wildlife, landscape and scenery from our new, custom-made boat MV Sootychaser.  Enjoy interactive narration by your experienced guide throughout the tour, as you keep an eye out for unique wildlife of Taiaroa Head and Otago Harbour, such as fur seals, albatross and Blue Penguins!  The old ships graveyards on Quarantine Island, the shipping movements and associated workboats and other aspects of the maritime industry are also highlights of this tour. Cruise through the port of Port Chalmers, down the Otago Harbour and of course Taiaroa Head, from the comfort and safety of the heated the cabin of Sootychaser, or off the open back where you can feel the sun and breeze.

jackets, binoculars to use, and wildlife identification sheets (to take home) are provided free of charge. 

There is a (heated!) bathroom onboard.

Pick a departure time from Portobello - 10:15am or 1:15pm and come out for the sightseeing tour of a lifetime!

We'll meet you at Portobello Wharf, an easy to access location with plenty of parking, and a nearby cafe, pub, and bus stop. 

After checking in with our office staff, you'll board our brand-new boat, The Sootychaser.  Custom built in 2018, the Sootychaser is a top-of the line Osprey boat designed for close,comfortable and intimate wildlife viewing.  It has plenty of seating both inside the heated cabin, and outside on its rear deck.

From Portobello, we cruise across the harbour, getting close to Quarantine Island to old view ships in their graveyards, past Port Chalmers working port, to Back Beach and Careys Bay - where there's always something interesting happening and and wildlife popping up! 

From there, we'll go to the mouth of the Otago harbout to the nature reserve of Taiaroa Head - the only mainland nesting area of the Northern Royal Albatross. Its also where another 10,000 birds nest of different species and where fur seals breed.

During the trip you're likely to see other species of albatross, oystercatchers, fur seals, sea lions, sooty shearwaters, penguins, and much more! 

There is a toilet onboard, binoculars, jackets and wildlife sheets provided.

the cabin is heated and makes a great place to spot wildlife from the large windows on days when the weather is wet or cold, as well as those magic days in the sun.

(The wildlife viewing is not compromised by wet or cold weather!)

Total time on the tour is approximately 2 hours. Please see our reviews.