Monarch Wildlife Cruises & Tours

“We had a wonderful day exploring the Otago Peninsula with Rob. Despite the rainy weather and challenging mountain roads, he remained patient, professional, and always made us feel safe and comfortable throughout the journey. What impressed us most was Rob's extensive knowledge of the peninsula's ecology, culture, and history. He shared fascinating stories about the local wildlife and helped us understand the unique natural environment of the region. Rob is also an exceptional birdwatching guide. His ability to identify different bird species by sight and behavior was remarkable. As visitors from China, we were excited to see many birds that we had never encountered before, and Rob's explanations made the experience even more memorable. A highlight of the trip was visiting the Royal Albatross Centre, where we learned more about these magnificent seabirds and the unique ecosystem they depend on. We also visited The OPERA in search of yellow-eyed penguins. The weather was not ideal that day, and several sea lions were resting on the beach, so the penguins may have had little interest in coming ashore. Even so, we were delighted to see so many native plants and animals in their natural habitats. Most of all, we were deeply moved by the dedication of the local conservation organizations working to protect this fragile ecosystem. Their efforts make experiences like this possible and help preserve Otago's unique wildlife for future generations. Thank you, Rob and Monarch for an enjoyable and educational tour. We highly recommend him and Monarch to anyone interested in the wildlife, history, and natural beauty of the Otago Peninsula.”

“We received complimentary tickets as part of our stay at Blimeys, so we went in with pretty modest expectations. But wow, we were completely blown away. It ended up being one of the unexpected highlights of our trip! Binoculars were provided when we boarded, and from the moment we set off, we were thoroughly entertained by Captain Will. His commentary was the perfect mix of informative, engaging, and genuinely funny, making the entire cruise enjoyable from start to finish. What really stood out was how attentive the crew were throughout the journey. Staff were constantly helping passengers spot wildlife, whether it was albatrosses, seals, penguins, or even dolphins. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and it felt like we never missed a thing. Captain Will also did a fantastic job sharing the history and stories behind each location we visited, which added so much more depth to the experience than just sightseeing. You could really tell how passionate and knowledgeable he is about the area. Even though our tickets were included with our accommodation, we would happily pay for this experience ourselves next time. It was informative, entertaining, and packed with incredible wildlife and scenery. We'd definitely do it again on our next visit! Highly recommended.”

“I went on a Monarch Wildlife Cruise recently and honestly felt like I was in one of those famous wildlife documentaries - think Discovery Channel or Animal Planet. The guide's narration was exactly like that, and he was incredibly knowledgeable. We got quite far out and were lucky enough to see a baby albatross attempting its first flight. They provide an extra layer of clothing and binoculars, which was a nice touch. It was a windy day, and a few hours before departure they gave us the option of a refund or to change the date. I would recommend going ahead with it, as windy days are actually the best time for baby albatrosses to take their first flight - a great albatross day! They also try to spot other wildlife like sea lions and sea birds. The boat is well sheltered, and they have written information available in other languages onboard. Just one small practical note: the toilet is quite small, so I'd recommend going before heading onboard, it can be hard to get out when people are standing around trying to spot wildlife, and you'd have to squeeze or manoeuvre your way out just to wash your hands.”