Product Overview

1. Join Skipper Rachel and her team onboard custom built vessel Sootychaser!

With over 18 year experience skippering and working on various workboats on Otago Harbour, and guiding wildlife tours for even longer, Rachel is eager to share her experiences with you!

On this world class tour, we look for albatross, seals, sea lions, sea birds, penguins and much more at Taiaroa Head, Dunedin, wildlife capital of NZ!

Expect to see at least 10 different species of animal on each Port To Port Cruises tour.

High quality binoculars, wildlife information sheets, heated cabin, bathroom onboard.

-Small group cruises-

 

Product Description

We depart from two handy locations.

Port Chalmers or Portobello.

When booking, choose your departure point, or write in in your booking notes. You return to the same place you departed, unless you request otherwise.

Approx 1.5-2 hours in duration.

We travel the length of the lower Harbour and see ships, birds and secenery along the way. You will receive a full professional commentary on the way, through a quality loudspeaker system. The skipper points out points of interest along the way and we stop for wildlife viewings. The area is rich in history, which you will learn about- early Maori and European, whaling, maritime and volcanic. 

Once we reach Taiaroa Head, renowned for the famous Northern Royal Albatross, we point out  the albatross on the nesting sites, on the hill above, near the Taiaroa Head lighthouse.

Sometimes we see albatross flying straight away, other times we may venture out to sea a short distance to look for them out there. As they live on the ocean! They come to Taiaroa Head to breed and go through courtship displays, all year round!

There is always wildlife to see every month of the year. Seals, sea lions, sea birds, penguins and much more in various stages of their breeding cycles. There is no 'bad time' to come.

You will be given a wildlife a information sheet to take home, with photographs and names so you can remember what you've seen.

The cabin can be heated. There is a modern bathroom onboard.

We supply excellent quality binoculars for you to use.

 

Departure Times

Departing from:

Portobello, 837 Portobello Road at:

10:00am

1:15pm

4:00pm

OR

Port Chalmers, 39 Peninsula Beach Road at:

10:10am

1:25pm

4:10pm

Please check online for availability as some times are seasonal.

You will return to the same place you departed from.

Duration

When departing from Portobello approx 2 hours.

When departing from Port Chalmers approx 1.5 hours.

What To Bring

Bring a warm jacket, just incase.

A camera

A water bottle or drink

Company Info

Small local company owned and operated by Rachel McGregor

During busy periods Rachel sometimes uses experienced staff, who you may talk to through administration, or see on the boat.