Fieldtrip: Cruise on Monarch and tour of the opera

Sit back and enjoy the scenery as our sturdy boat explores the stunningly beautiful and rugged coastline near the entrance of the Otago Harbour. The crew will give you a full commentary during your cruise about the local wildlife, history and geology.

The trip will travel past the beautiful Aramoana Beach and it’s tidal sandflats. Sea lions are often spotted here, sprawled out, basking in the sun. 

Across the other side of the harbour channel you’ll see remnants of the areas military history. Several lookout posts and gun emplacements were built in to the rocky hill, connected by tunnels. They are now a popular spot for local fisherman.

You’ll see uninterrupted views of the world's only mainland colony of royal albatross. Watch as they fly in low from the ocean, then use updrafts from the hillside to get up high and land at their nest.

Enjoy postcard views of the lighthouse, perched high above the volcanic cliffs of Taiaroa Head. This historic lighthouse was the first one built on the South Island of NZ, back in 1864. Your expert skipper will get you up-close to rocky outcrops that stretch out to the ocean. This is where we find a large New Zealand fur seal colony. Watch them sleep, fight and play on the rocks and swim in the water around this breeding rookery. 

We then cruise a short way out into the Pacific Ocean. Here you can spot rarely seen ocean birds including other smaller albatross species, cormorants and petrels. We also sometimes see blue penguins, dusky and hectors dolphins and other marine mammals.