Monarch Wildlife Cruise on Otago Harbour
Suzanne Middleton, Wild Dunedin — Apr 28, 2021
Extinct volcanoes, a lighthouse, seal pups, a sea lion, albatross, spoonbills, the suction dredge, the science of flight, krill in the water – all this on an hour long cruise on the Monarch.
Monarch Wildlife Cruises getting close to wildlife at Taiaroa Head with Royal albatross soaring just above the boat. Image: Neil Harraway
The crew welcome us aboard, hand out binoculars and warm jackets, and gently warn us not to get over excited. Exhilarated, we head out on the trusty Monarch with 15 passengers including a few kids, wondering what we’ll see today.
Annalise MacDonell and her family having a great time on the Otago Harbour on board the Monarch during the 2017 Wild Dunedin Festival. Image by: Christine MacDonell
At Aramoana a female sea lion sleeps on the sand and the skipper tells us that the local sea lion population is around 140. This is just a fraction of the calm and knowledgeable commentary during our hour long trip out through the Otago Heads, close enough to the rocks of Taiaroa Head to see the cute seal pups, then out to sea for a short distance.
We keep a look out for penguins on the surface of the water and don’t spot any but we do see three kinds of albatross on the water and in flight, plus numerous other seabirds.
Bullers Albatross - one of the seabirds that may be seen on a Monarch Wildlife Cruise.
Image by: Campbell Wallace
It’s a spectacular trip. Taiaroa Head and its lighthouse look fabulous from the water, and there’s always something new to catch our attention - the albatross sitting on their nests on the headland, red krill under the bow of the Monarch, spoonbills flying past, the dredge doing its thing.
Monarch Wildlife Cruise view from Taiaroa Head looking over to Aramoana ecological area of wetlands and salt marsh.
Image by: Rhonda Hooper
But what the kids really love is when the boat rocks from side to side. They squeal with delight and I think the other adults might be like me, remembering childish joy in simple things.
Image by: Monarch Wildlife Cruises
So much to see and experience in an hour, and always the possibility that whales, dolphins or penguins might put in an appearance.
Wildlife and boats. What’s not to like?
