Image: Nathan Pettigrew | ©
People watch wildlife from a permitted operator.
Permitted marine mammal tour operators
Marine mammal permits are required to undertake commercial activities involving marine mammals. These businesses have a marine mammal viewing permit.

The SMART Operator Programme is a voluntary education and awareness collaboration between operators and DOC, encouraging safe viewing practices by all water users. Use the keyword 'SMART' in the search to return SMART programme operators.

Northland

Carino Wildlife Cruises

www.wildlifecruises.co.nz
Activity: Scenic sailing tours and charters
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Northland


Auckland

Te Haerenga o Ngāi Tai Ki Tāmaki Limited

www.tehaerenga.nz
Activity: Scenic nature tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Auckland


Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari

www.whalewatchingauckland.com
Activity: Whale and dolphin watching tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Auckland


Coromandel

Sea Cave Adventures

www.seacaveadventures.co.nz
Activity: Scenic nature tours and charters
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Coromandel


Cathedral Cove Scenic Cruises

www.cathedralcovecruises.co.nz
Activity: Scenic nature tours and charters
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Coromandel


Cave Cruzer

www.cavecruzer.co.nz
Activity: Scenic nature tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Coromandel


Coromandel Ocean Adventures

www.coadventures.co.nz
Activity: Scenic nature tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Coromandel


Glass Bottom Boat Whitianga

www.glassbottomboatwhitianga.co.nz
Activity: Scenic nature tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Coromandel


Hahei Explorer

www.haheiexplorer.co.nz
Activity: Scenic nature tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Coromandel


Ocean Leopard Tours

www.oceanleopardtours.co.nz
Activity: Scenic nature tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Coromandel


Tauranga

Dolphin Seafaris

www.nzdolphin.com
Activity: Dolphin watching/swimming tours, nature cruises and charters
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit, SMART Operator
Region: Tauranga


Kewpie Cruises

www.kewpiecruises.co.nz
Activity: Scenic nature tours and charters
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Tauranga


Seatrek

www.seatrek.co.nz
Activity: Harbour cruises and charters
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Tauranga


Moutohorā Island Sanctuary Tours

www.moutohora.co.nz
Activity: Scenic nature and wildlife tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Tauranga


Dolphin Blue

www.dolphinblue.co.nz
Activity: Dolphin watching/swimming tours and charters
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Tauranga


Orca Wild Adventures

www.orcawildadvenutres.co.nz
Activity: Dolphin watching and swimming tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Tauranga


Taranaki

Chaddy's Charters

www.chaddyscharters.co.nz
Activity: Scenic nature and wildlife tours and charters
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Taranaki


Wellington

Green Jersey Explorer Tours

www.greenjersey.co.nz
Activity: Scenic cycling tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Wellington


Seal Coast Safari

www.sealcoastsafari.nz
Activity: Scenic nature and wildlife tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Wellington


Abel Tasman

Abel Tasman Eco Tours

www.abeltasmanecotours.co.nz
Activity: Scenic nature tours and charters
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit, SMART Operator
Region: Abel Tasman


Abel Tasman Kayaks

www.abeltasmankayaks.co.nz
Activity: Guided kayaking tours and rentals
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit, SMART Operator
Region: Abel Tasman


R & R Kayak

www.rrkayaks.co.nz
Activity: Guided kayaking tours and rentals
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit, SMART Operator
Region: Abel Tasman


Waka Abel Tasman

www.wakaabeltasman.nz
Activity: Guided Waka tours and customised group options
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit, SMART Operator
Region: Abel Tasman


Abel Tasman Charters

www.abeltasmancharters.co.nz
Activity: Scenic nature tours and charters
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit, SMART Operator
Region: Abel Tasman


Kahu Kayaks

www.kahukayaks.co.nz
Activity: Guided kayaking tours and rentals
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit, SMART Operator
Region: Abel Tasman


Abel Tasman Sea Shuttle

www.abeltasmanseashuttles.co.nz
Activity: Water taxi transport and boat cruises
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Abel Tasman


Abel Tasman Sailing Adventures

www.sailingadventures.co.nz
Activity: Scenic sailing tours and charters
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Abel Tasman


Kaiteriteri Kayaks

www.seakayak.co.nz
Activity: Guided kayaking tours and rentals
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Abel Tasman


Marahau Sea Kayaks

www.msk.co.nz
Activity: Guided kayaking tours and rentals
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Abel Tasman


Marahau Water Taxis

www.marahauwatertaxis.co.nz
Activity: Water taxi transport and boat cruises
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Abel Tasman


Independent Sea Kayaking Guides

www.independentguides.co.nz
Activity: Freedom kayak rentals
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Abel Tasman


Farewell Spit Tours

www.farewellspit.com
Activity: Vehicle tours on Farewell Spit
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Golden Bay


Golden Bay Kayaks

www.goldenbaykayaks.co.nz
Activity: Guided kayaking tours and rentals
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Golden Bay


Wilsons Abel Tasman National Park

www.abeltasman.co.nz
Activity: Water taxi transport, boat cruises, charters and guided kayaking tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Abel Tasman


Marlborough Sounds

Cougar Line

www.cougarline.co.nz
Activity: Water taxi transport, boat cruises and charters
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit, SMART Operator
Region: Marlborough Sounds


Lochmara Lodge

www.lochmara.co.nz
Activity: Water taxi, charters, accommodation
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit, SMART Operator
Region: Marlborough Sounds


Marlborough Tour Company

www.marlboroughtourcompany.co.nz
Activity: Water taxi transport, boat cruises and charters
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit, SMART Operator
Region: Marlborough Sounds


Pelorus Mail Boat

www.themailboat.co.nz
Activity: Water taxi transport, boat cruises, charters and Pelorus mail run
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit, SMART Operator
Region: Marlborough Sounds


Beachcomber Cruises

www.beachcombercruises.co.nz
Activity: Water taxi transport, boat cruises, charters and Queen Charlotte mail run
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Marlborough Sounds


Maori Eco-Cruises

www.ecoschoolcruises.nz
Activity: Scenic nature tours and charters
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Marlborough Sounds


Sea Kayak Adventures

www.nzseakayaking.com
Activity: Guided kayaking tours and rentals
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Marlborough Sounds


E-ko Tours

www.e-ko.nz
Activity: Scenic nature tours, dolphin watching/swimming and charters
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Marlborough Sounds


Kaikōura

Dolphin Encounter

www.dolphinencounter.co.nz
Activity: Dolphin watching and swimming tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Kaikōura


Canterbury Trails

www.canterburytrails.co.nz
Activity: Guided group and private tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Kaikōura


Seal Swim Kaikōura

www.sealswimkaikoura.co.nz
Activity: Fur seal watching and swimming tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Kaikōura


Kaikōura Kayaks

www.kaikourakayaks.nz
Activity: Guided kayaking tours and rentals
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Kaikōura


Air Kaikōura

www.airkaikoura.co.nz
Activity: Scenic flights and whale watching
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Kaikōura


Kaikōura Helicopters

www.gchaviation.com
Activity: Scenic flights and whale watching
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Kaikōura


Kaikōura Marine Tours

www.kaikouramarinetours.co.nz
Activity: Scenic nature tours to view seals
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Kaikōura


Seal Kayak Kaikōura

www.sealkayakkaikoura.com
Activity: Guided pedal kayak tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Kaikōura


South Pacific Helicopter

www.southpacifichelicopters.co.nz
Activity: Scenic flights and whale watching
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Kaikōura


Wings over whales

www.whales.co.nz
Activity: Scenic flights and whale watching
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Kaikōura


5 days

www.5days.co.nz
Activity: Scenic tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Kaikōura


Whale Watch Kaikōura

www.whalewatch.co.nz
Activity: Whale watching tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Kaikōura


West Coast

Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki

www.wildernesslodge.co.nz
Activity: Walking and kayaking nature tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: West Coast


Banks Peninsula

Ecoseaker

www.ecoseaker.nz
Activity: Dolphin watching, swimming and nature tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Banks Peninsula


Black Cat Cruises

www.blackcat.co.nz
Activity: Dolphin watching, swimming and nature tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit, SMART Operator
Region: Banks Peninsula


Pōhatu Penguins

www.pohatu.co.nz
Activity: Guided kayaking tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit, SMART Operator
Region: Banks Peninsula


Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu

www.pipijourneys.com
Activity: Scenic and wildlife tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Banks Peninsula


Akaroa Dolphins

www.akaroadolphins.co.nz
Activity: Dolphin watching and nature tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit, SMART Operator
Region: Banks Peninsula


Fox II Sailing Adventures

www.akaroafoxsail.co.nz
Activity: Scenic sailing tours and charters
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Banks Peninsula


Catlins

Catlins Kayak and Adventure

www.catlinskayak.co.nz
Activity: Guided kayaking tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Catlins


Private Discovery Tours

www.privatediscoverytours.co.nz
Activity: Scenic and wildlife tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Catlins


Otago

Clearwater Wildlife Tours

www.clearwaterwildlifetours.co.nz
Activity: Scenic and wildlife tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Otago


Eden Wildlife Cruises

www.seakayaking.weebly.com
Activity: Guided kayaking tours and and wildlife cruises
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Otago


Elm Wildlife Tours

www.elmwildlifetours.co.nz
Activity: Scenic and wildlife tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Otago


Monarch Wildlife Cruises

www.wildlife.co.nz
Activity: Scenic and wildlife tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Otago


Port to Port Cruises and Wildlife Tours

www.porttoport.co.nz
Activity: Ferry transport, boat cruises, wildlife tours and charters
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Otago


Puravida Ltd

www.untamednz.co.nz
Activity: Scenic and wildlife tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Otago


Wild Earth Adventures

www.wildearth.co.nz
Activity: Guided kayaking tours and training
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Otago


Back to Nature Tours

www.backtonaturetours.co.nz
Activity: Guided walks
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Otago


Fiordland

Destination Milford Sound

www.cruisemilfordnz.com
Activity: Scenic boat tours and wildlife cruises
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Fiordland


Descend Scuba Diving Milford Sound

www.descend.co.nz
Activity: Scuba diving tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Fiordland


Fiordland Cruises

www.doubtfulsound.com
Activity: Overnight cruise tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Fiordland


Fiordland Discovery

www.fiorldlanddiscovery.co.nz
Activity: Day, overnight and multi day cruise tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Fiordland


Fiordland Expeditions

www.fiordlandexpeditions.co.nz
Activity: Day, overnight and multi day cruise tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Fiordland


Hollyford Valley Walk

www.hollyfordtrack.com
Activity: Guided walks
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Fiordland


Mitre Peak Cruises

www.mitrepeak.com
Activity: Scenic boat tours and wildlife cruises
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Fiordland


Pure Milford

www.puremilford.co.nz
Activity: Scenic boat tours and wildlife cruises
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Fiordland


Real NZ

www.realnz.com
Activity: Day, overnight and multi day cruise tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Fiordland


Southern Discoveries

www.southerndiscoveries.co.nz
Activity: Scenice nature cruises and guided kayaking tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Fiordland


Stewart Island/Rakiura

Ruggedy Range Wilderness Experience

www.ruggedyrange.com
Activity: Scenic nature cruises and guided walks
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Stewart Island/Rakiura


Rakiura Adventure

www.rakiura.nz
Activity: Water-taxi and scenic nature tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Stewart Island/Rakiura


Rakiura Charters & water taxi

www.rakiuracharters.co.nz
Activity: Water-taxi and scenic nature tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Stewart Island/Rakiura


Aurora Charters

www.auroracharters.co.nz
Activity: Water-taxi and scenic nature tours
Concession: Marine mammal viewing permit
Region: Stewart Island/Rakiura


Contact

For more information email skipperscourse@doc.govt.nz or contact our office.

Waitohi / Picton Office
Phone:   0800 275 362
Email:   picton@doc.govt.nz
Address:   Port Marlborough Building - Level 2
14 Auckland Street
Picton 7220