1 / 5Port to Port Cruises and Wildlife Tours
📍 Dunedin, Otago South
Port to Port Cruises is a small family-owned operator at 39 Peninsula Beach Road, Port Chalmers, Dunedin. Otago Harbour wildlife cruises (albatross, seals, penguins, seabirds), harbour ferry between Port Chalmers and Portobello, and a bike ferry for the Otago Harbour cycle loop.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for families with kids who'll enjoy a boat trip and wildlife spotting. Reviewers consistently name Rachel as the skipper and call out the commentary and small-group format. The bike-ferry option suits families combining a cycle loop with a harbour crossing.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →62 Google reviews
G Reviews from Google
JJ (JJ61)
10 months ago
“We have had the best day out on the waters of Dunedin.We met Rachel at the jetty and caught the Sootychaser from Portobello. The interesting points crossing to Port Chalmers were great. We knew we were in for a great day. Calm conditions. Sunny skies. Lots of sea-life along the coast. We stayed for ages watching the fur seals. Watched the Albatross skimming the sea. 2.5 m wing spam. It’s the best way to view. Great scenery. We got a list of what birds and sea-life look we saw to take away and remember the great day we had. We also got to see bike riders join us crossing over to the other side to continue their bike riding. A very handy service. Would highly recommend. Well worth organising and keeping in touch with Rachel. A fantastic service.”
Kyla
3 weeks ago
“Rachel was a wonderful tour guide for me and my friends. We had decided to cycle around the penisula rather last minute and only booked the boat ride an hour beforehand. Rachel was very quick to respond to my phone call and accommodative of our request. She was very friendly, giving us insightful commentary and some advice on our ride across. We all had a great time and would definitely recommend Rachel's services to anyone who plans to cycle along the Dunedin Harbour Cycleway.”
Peter Harrison
5 months ago
“The Geraldine Lions Club completed the harbour bike lap using Rachel's Port to Port Ferry. We were highly impressed with the service. Rachel is very professional and friendly. She gave us an intense commentary during the trip about the history of the points that we passed. We would highly recommend her service to all age groups and tourists. Once again a big thanks to you Rachel.”
📊 Commonly mentioned in Google reviews
Based on Google review tagsHarbour views
12 reviews
Boat trip
7 reviews
Cycle path
6 reviews
Wildlife tour
5 reviews
Historical commentary
5 reviews
Overview
Family Adventures on Otago Harbour!
Port to Port Cruises and Wildlife Tours is a family-owned and operated business based in Port Chalmers, Dunedin. Skipper Rachel - a mum herself - runs relaxed, small-group trips designed to be enjoyable for both kids and adults.
We offer three main experiences on the harbour. Our wildlife cruises are a favourite for families, giving you the chance to see albatross, seals, penguins, and seabirds in their natural environment, along with fun, easy-to-follow commentary about the harbour along the way.
Our harbour ferry runs between Port Chalmers and Portobello and is a great outing in itself, or a handy connection for exploring more of the peninsula. For active families, we also offer a bike ferry, making it easy to complete the Otago Harbour Cycle Loop - a safe, easy, and kid-friendly ride.
For young and curious explorers, our Touch Tank Tours are a hands-on highlight, letting kids safely interact with local marine life.
We also run the popular Quarantine Island Treasure Hunt, where children follow clues around the island, with treats and badges at the end.
🎉 The treasure hunt is also a great birthday party idea, combining a boat ride, outdoor adventure, and a bit of magic for the kids.
