Find the best wildlife encounters with Boat Tours and cruises for Whale Watching & Swimming with Dolphins. Zoos and Wildlife Parks, Eco Tours, and Nature & Wildlife Tours and attractions are all on offer. In summer, a wildlife encounter should be at the top of your to-do list!
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Nature and Wildlife
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Top Attractions
from NZ $150
Polynesian Spa - Rotorua's Iconic Geothermal ...
Historic geothermal pools drawing from Rotorua’s unique Priest and Rachel Springs
from NZ $32.95
1 Hours 
from NZ $795.00
04:00 hours
Waiheke Island Wine & Art Tour
Create your own handcrafted jewellery in a hands-on workshop
from NZ $1500.00
7 Hours 
from NZ $495.00
35 Mins 
Milford Sound Tour from Queenstown
Best Mercedes Tour Van from Queenstown to Milford Sound
from NZ $369.00
12 Hours 30 Mins 
from NZ $275.00
4 Hours 30 Mins 
Dolphin & Wildlife Eco Cruise
Get up close to Wild Dolphins, on board our comfortable cruising vessel
from NZ $175.00
5 Hours 
Milford Sound Coach & Nature Cruise Day T...
Premium glass-roof coach with scenic stops and local commentary through Fiordland
from NZ $259.00
8 Hours 
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves & Te Puia (Rotorua) P...
Discover the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves on a 1-hour guided underground tour
from NZ $949.00
11 Hours 
from NZ $309.00
13 Hours 
Waiheke Island Active Adventure Tour
Discover Waiheke Island's spectacular coastal scenery and scenic viewpoints
from NZ $980.00
7 Hours 
Tiritiri Matangi Island Private Tour
Travel to Tiritiri Matangi Island with return ferry tickets accompanied by your private guide
from NZ $1200.00
10 Hours 
from NZ $250.00
30 Mins 
from NZ $180.00
3 Hours 
from NZ $169
4 Hours 
West Coast Treetop Walk & Tower Zipline
47 Metre high spiral tower with 360-degree views!
from NZ $39.00
45 Mins 
from NZ $1095
4 hours 
from NZ $119.00
1 Hours 15 Mins 
Rotorua Ziplines: Zipline Over Waterfalls
The only Ziplining experience to fly over waterfalls in New Zealand
from NZ $169.00
2 Hours 
Mount Tarawera/Waimangu Volcanic Valley Plus ...
Scenic flight with aerial views of Mount Tarawera and Volcanic Craters
from NZ $690.00
1 Days 
from NZ $45.00
1 Hours 
from NZ $39.00
30 Mins 
Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise
Scenic cruise out to Motukōkako, the Hole in the Rock
from NZ $170.00
04:30 hours
Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori A...
Hundertwasser in New Zealand 1973 – 2000 Exhibition
from NZ $30
1 hours 
Milford Sound Cruise
Enjoy an informative cruise aboard a modern and spacious catamaran
from NZ $152.00
1 Hours 
from NZ $990.00
3 Hours 
from NZ $300
Abel Tasman Cruise-Fly Package ex Nelson
Enjoy a scenic flight over golden sands of the Abel Tasman National Park
from NZ $699.00
8 hours 
Kiwi Wilderness Experience (Self-Drive Option...
Guided Kiwi Bird spotting walking tour at Tāwharanui Regional Park
from NZ $100.00
2 Hours 30 Mins 
Yonder Star - Private Sailing Yacht
Sail aboard the luxurious 87-foot private yacht, Yonder Star
from NZ $11000.00
Christchurch to Queenstown One Way Tour, Via ...
Lake Tekapo & Church of the Good Shephard
from NZ $399.00
13 Hours 
Bike The Wanaka And Hawea Trails - Luxury Shu...
A great way to see the area - follows local trails and rivers - surrounded by Mountains
from NZ $125.00
7 Hours 
from NZ $99.00
6 Hours 
Te Puia - Te Rā Guided Experience
Te Rā tour of geysers, mud pools, native bush & Pōhutu, the southern hemisphere’s largest geyser.
from NZ $105.00
1 Hours 30 Mins 
Auckland to Rotorua via Hobbiton - One Way To...
Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours & Bagshot Row
from NZ $329.00
13 Hours 
Mt Cook to Christchurch via Lake Tekapo (1 wa...
Lake Tekapo - including the Church of the Good Shepherd
from NZ $175.00
5 Hours 
from NZ $405.00
3 Hours 
from NZ $580.00
1 Days 12 Hours 
from NZ $225.00
3 Hours 
Rotorua Lakes Best Kept Secrets
Guided lake tour of Rotoiti onboard the one of a kind Airstream vessel
from NZ $175.00
2 Hours 30 Mins 
from NZ $275.00
12 Hours 
Pure New Zealand Wilderness Experience
One of the closest true wilderness experiences to Wellington
from NZ $20.00
6 Hours 
from NZ $1195.00
1 Hours 15 Mins 
Shackleton Whiskey Endurance - 50-minute Glac...
Franz Josef Glacier, Tasman and Shackleton Glacier
from NZ $795.00
50 Mins 
Heli-Picnic for up to 6 people in a private h...
Gourmet picnic at a hidden alpine lake in the Kahurangi National Park
from NZ $5606.00
3 hours 
from NZ $1250.00
4 hours 
Te Puia - Te Pō Indigenous Evening Experienc...
Hāngī buffet – Savor traditional food at Pātaka Kai with views of the geothermal valley.
from NZ $203.00
3 Hours 
from NZ $350.00
4 Hours 30 Mins 
Duder Regional Park Walking Tours
Explore diverse landscapes, rolling farmland, coastal cliffs, and sandy beaches
from NZ $120
4 hours 
Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise
Close up encounters with Dolphins & other marine wildlife.
from NZ $175.00
5 Hours 
from NZ $50.00
1 Hours 
from NZ $170.00
05:30 hours
Sundowner Evening Sailing Cruise
Enjoy a relaxed sail aboard a smooth sailing catamaran in a peaceful setting
from NZ $105.00
2 Hours 
Kiwi Night Encounter
Among the best opportunities in New Zealand to see kiwi up close
from NZ $99.00
1 hours 30 mins
from NZ $349.00
2 hours 
Wild Dolphin Encounter
Get close to the wildlife on our spacious viewing deck.
from NZ $180.00
5 Hours 
Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Tour from Auckland i...
Hobbiton Movie Set & the newly opened Bagshot Row
from NZ $379.00
12 Hours 
The Riverhead Tavern Kayak Tour in Auckland
Craft lasting memories in nature's embrace
from NZ $110
4 hours 
from NZ $219.00
3 Hours 
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves & Rotorua Geotherml V...
Guided tour through the world-famous Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
from NZ $459.00
12 Hours 
Floatplane Crater Lakes Flight Plus Hotpools
Spend 90 minutes soaking in the natural hot pools on Lake Rotoiti, only accessible by water
from NZ $580.00
2 Hours 20 Mins 
from NZ $675.00
1 Hours 
from NZ $365.00
10 Hours 
Rotorua Geothermal Valley
Enjoy a guided tour through the spectacular Geothermal Valley Te Puia
from NZ $344.00
9 Hours 
from NZ $145
3 hours 
Seafood Odyssea Cruise
3 hour Marlborough Sound sightseeing and Seafood Cruise, from Picton
from NZ $180.00
1 Hours 
from NZ $325
6 hours 
24/48 Hour Pohatu Package at a Penguin Colony...
Spend the night in the middle of a penguin colony
from NZ $175.00
24 Hours 
from NZ $75.00
1 Hours 30 Mins 
Christchurch Day Out: Sheep Farm Adventure wi...
Christchurch city highlights
from NZ $345.00
6 Hours 
Rotorua Canopy Tours Ziplining Forest Adventu...
6 ziplines - Totaling between 600m and 1200m of ziplining
from NZ $199.00
3 Hours 10 Mins 
from NZ $420.00
35 Mins 
from NZ $429.00
8 Hours 30 Mins 
Canoe Safaris Whanganui River Journey
Guided Paddling on New Zealand's premier river system
from NZ $1145.00
57 Hours 
from NZ $25.00
1 Days 
from NZ $479.00
8 Hours 
Kiwi North: Whangarei Museum, Kiwi House &...
The only captive Kiwi viewing in Tai Tokerau Northland
from NZ $20
6 hours 
Dolphin Encounter - Swim with or watch Kaikou...
Kaikoura is among the best locations in the world to encounter interact with wild dusky dolphins
from NZ $135
3.5 hours 
from NZ $315.00
4 Hours 
Arthur’s Pass Day Tour From Christchurch vi...
Christchurch to Greymouth train tour aboard the world famous TranzAlpine
from NZ $499.00
13 Hours 
from NZ $395.00
25 Mins 
from NZ $195.00
4 Hours 30 Mins
Mercer Bay Hiking & Waterfalls Private Tour
Enjoy the expertise of an experienced hiking guide throughout your adventure
from NZ $800.00
6 Hours 
from NZ $90
54 Mins 
Birdwatching, Hiking & Waterfalls Private Tou...
Explore Pūkorokoro Miranda Wildlife Reserve with a professional bird guide
from NZ $980.00
8 Hours 
Whitewater Grade 3
Raft the Upper Tongariro River and wonder at the sights you can only experience by raft
from NZ $199.00
Allow 4-4.5 hours
from NZ $95.00
2 Hours 30 Mins 
Adventurous 8-Zipline Canopy Tour
Start your adventure with a scenic train ride on New Zealand’s only mountain railway.
from NZ $147.00
2 Hours 30 Mins 
from NZ $1090.00
1 Days 
Scenic Cruise Guided Walk
Experience the wonder of our 1935 Scottish built motor sailor
from NZ $165.00
3 hours
Twilight Kayak Glowworm Tour
Glowworms surrounding you as you float through a prehistoric like canyon
from NZ $199.00
3 Hours 
Self-Guided Milford Track Day Walk - Milford ...
Giant Gate Falls - a stunning Milford Track highlight!
from NZ $75
3 hours 
from NZ $579.00
8 Hours 
The Gold Discovery Trail Horse Trek
Ride a horse through the river & up into the hills in The Cardrona sunrise!
from NZ $499.00
2 hours 
Outdoor Rock Climbing Auckland
Climb natural rock formations with varying levels of difficulty
from NZ $200.00
4 hours 
from NZ $145.00
2 Hours 
from NZ $12
1 hours 
Auckland Nightlights Cruise with complimentar...
Auckland Harbour Bridge
from NZ $75.00
2 Hours 
3-Day Milford Sound Tour via Walter Peak & Vo...
45-min TSS Earnslaw Steamship Cruise from Queenstown to Wa-l-t-e-r Peak
from NZ $1799.00
2 Days 1 Hours 30 Mins Travel Guides
Frequently Asked Questions about Nature and Wildlife
Where is the nature and wildlife tours capital of New Zealand?
The South Island is widely regarded as the nature and wildlife tours capital due to its vast national parks, untouched landscapes, and diverse wildlife experiences. Fiordland is one of the most renowned regions, known for its dramatic fjords, rainforests, waterfalls, and wildlife cruises in Milford and Doubtful Sound. Many tours here focus on scenic nature, native birdlife, and marine wildlife encounters. Other popular nature and wildlife areas in the South Island include Kaikōura for whale and dolphin watching, the Otago Peninsula for penguins and albatross, and Stewart Island / Rakiura for rare birdlife. In the North Island, nature and wildlife experiences can be found in the Bay of Islands, Rotorua, and Tongariro National Park, offering coastal wildlife, geothermal landscapes, and native forest adventures.
What are the top nature and wildlife tours in New Zealand?
Some of the top nature and wildlife tours in New Zealand include Milford Sound nature cruises, Kaikōura whale watching tours, Rotorua geothermal and wildlife experiences, Waitomo Glowworm Cave tours, Stewart Island kiwi spotting tours, Akaroa dolphin cruises, and West Coast rainforest eco tours.
What makes NZ’s wildlife unique?
New Zealand’s wildlife is unique because of its long isolation, which led to the evolution of rare native species found nowhere else, including flightless birds like the kiwi and kākāpō, a lack of native land mammals, and diverse marine life protected by strong conservation efforts.
What is the best season for wildlife sightings in New Zealand?
The best season for wildlife sightings in New Zealand varies by type of animal, but generally spring (September to November) and summer (December to February) are excellent times because many birds are active, breeding, and nesting, and marine animals like dolphins and fur seals are frequently seen in coastal waters. Spring and summer also offer long daylight hours and pleasant weather for nature tours.
Can I go whale watching in NZ?
Yes, you can absolutely go whale watching in New Zealand! New Zealand offers world-class whale watching tours where you can see whales, dolphins, seals, and other marine life in their natural habitat.
Are dolphin encounters offered?
Yes, dolphin encounters are offered in New Zealand, and they are featured as part of the wildlife and marine experiences you can book.
What nature and wildlife tours are offered in Bay of Plenty?
In the Bay of Plenty, you can enjoy several nature and wildlife tours. These include the Wild Dolphin Encounter and Dolphin & Wildlife Eco Cruises, where you can see and sometimes swim with wild dolphins. There are also scenic tours like the Tauranga Scenic Harbor Cruise and Tauranga Harbour Cruise, offering views of the coastline and opportunities to spot seabirds and marine life. For a unique experience, the Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour and Big Kanu Glowworm Tour let you explore waterways while seeing glowworms in their natural habitat.
Nature and Wildlife activities to See and Do in New Zealand
Due to New Zealand's unique landscape, opportunities for all kinds of adventures are at your fingertips, and there are so many exciting things to do in every region. If you're looking for a thrilling, memorable activity, then browse through the selection at See and Do NZ.
Due to the vast variety of wildlife and nature in New Zealand, just about every activity will involve nature or wildlife. If you're in the Bay of Islands, there are some great water activities. Check out this island hopping cruise, fishing trip, hole-in-the-rock tour, or glow worm tour! The North Island has other great adventures like this ziplining in Rotorua! The South Island is just as fruitful! Canterbury has an exciting Albatross encounter, and you can explore canyons in Queenstown!
The best places for Nature and Wildlife in New Zealand
Due to the vast variety of wildlife and nature in New Zealand, every place you visit will be abundant in nature! Even Auckland, New Zealand's biggest city, is covered in trees and parks!
Top Destinations
Explore some of New Zealand’s most popular travel destinations.
