Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari

What Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari does

Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari (AWADS) is a privately held New Zealand tourism operator that has run whale and dolphin watching eco-cruises from downtown Auckland since 2000. The company operates a single core product — a 4.5-hour eco safari cruise aboard a purpose-built marine research catamaran — departing from Berth 9, Eastern Viaduct Marina and exploring the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. Tours are hosted by marine experts who conduct genuine research during the experience, differentiating the offering from generic harbor cruises and supporting the company's conservation-aligned positioning.

The business runs a direct-to-consumer model, taking bookings through its website, email, and both NZ toll-free and international phone lines, with no intermediary reseller distribution disclosed. Revenue streams consist of one-time tour ticket sales, prepaid gift vouchers, and private charter/event bookings. A sightings guarantee — offering a free re-cruise if no marine mammals are observed — functions as a structural risk-reduction mechanism for buyers. AWADS is owned by Entrada Travel Group, which holds the corporate brand and corporate governance layer, while no public-company financials, headcount, or funding history are disclosed.

Name

Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari

Legal name

Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari

Website

https://awads.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari is a private New Zealand tour operator, founded in 2000, that runs 4.5-hour whale and dolphin eco-cruises from downtown Auckland into the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park for international and domestic tourists, and is owned by Entrada Travel Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Wildlife Eco-Tourism

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (487210), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Whale Watching & Marine Mammal Tours (THAAAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Wildlife & Coastal Nature Tours (Whale/Dolphin Watching, Sea Kayaking) (THAAAEAD), Sightseeing & Scenic Boat Tours (Harbor, Sunset, Dolphin/Whale Watching) (THAJAJAA)

Keywords

• Whale watching tours
• Marine wildlife safaris
• Eco tourism cruises
• Dolphin watching experiences
• Marine research cruises

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tour Ticket Sales: One-time ticket sales for 4.5-hour eco cruises exploring the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. Primary revenue stream from individual and group bookings.
2. Gift Vouchers: Prepaid gift voucher sales for tour experiences, functioning as pre-sales that drive future revenue redemption.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari runs 4.5-hour eco-cruise wildlife safaris aboard a purpose-built marine research catamaran departing from downtown Auckland's Eastern Viaduct Marina into the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. The tours offer guided whale, dolphin, seal, and seabird encounters hosted by marine research scientists, with a sightings guarantee (free re-cruise if no marine mammals are spotted). Revenue is generated through ticket sales for the core tour, gift voucher purchases, and bookings for private charters and group events.

Product overview

Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari operates as a singletour eco-cruise company offering whale and dolphin watching experiences from Auckland, New Zealand. The core product is a 4.5-hour eco safari cruise aboard a purpose-built marine research catamaran in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. Additional offerings include gift vouchers for tour experiences, private charter services for groups and events, and educational marine life observation experiences. The company has operated since 2000 and incorporates conservation initiatives as part of its tour experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari Eco Cruise A 4.5-hour eco-cruise safari aboard a purpose-built marine research catamaran departing from Eastern Viaduct Marina in Auckland and exploring the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. The tour offers guided encounters with whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds, hosted by marine research scientists who conduct research during the trip, and is backed by a sightings guarantee (free re-cruise if no marine mammals are spotted).
• Gift Vouchers Prepaid gift vouchers that allow purchasers to give the whale and dolphin safari experience as a gift, with recipients redeeming the voucher for the standard 4.5-hour eco cruise in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.
• Charters & Events Private charter bookings and event hosting services for groups seeking an exclusive marine wildlife experience in the Hauraki Gulf on Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari's purpose-built marine research catamaran.

Quantifiable outcome

• Sightings Guarantee: Customers who don't see marine mammals can cruise again for FREE

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Entrada Travel GroupcoreOthersParent company that owns Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari. Entrada Travel Group operates the whale watching business and maintains corporate presence including careers page, privacy policy, and overall brand ownership. The company website footer lists terms, conditions, and privacy policy under Entrada Travel Group.

Scale indicators1 record

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Encounter Kaikoura: Kaikoura-based operator offering whale, dolphin, and marine wildlife tours. Directly comparable as a NZ marine mammal tour operator targeting international tourists with similar 3–4 hour cruise formats.
• Whale Watch Kaikoura: New Zealand's flagship whale watching operator based in Kaikoura, offering dedicated sperm whale watching tours with a sightings guarantee. Most directly comparable as a single-product, NZ-based marine mammal tour operator with strong research/eco credentials.
• Dolphin Explorer (Bay of Islands): Bay of Islands operator running dolphin and whale watching eco-tours with marine biologists on board. Directly comparable product (guided cetacean encounters), customer base (international and domestic tourists), and eco-research positioning.
• Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura / Go Dolphin Swim: Kaikoura-based dolphin swim and watch operator with strong eco-credentials and international tourist focus. Comparable single-product NZ marine mammal experience operator with overlapping customer segment.
• Hauraki Express Harbour Cruises: Auckland-based harbor and Hauraki Gulf cruise operator. Direct geographic overlap with AWADS, competing for downtown Auckland tourist demand via similar vessel-based experiences.

Broad incumbents

• Explore Group (NZ): Bay of Islands and Auckland-based tour operator running dolphin watching cruises, island tours, and sailing. Comparable NZ marine tour operator with broader product portfolio but overlapping dolphin watching offering.
• Fullers GreatSights: Major Auckland-based ferry and tourism operator offering harbor cruises and tours. Broader incumbent that overlaps in Auckland passenger boat tours and competes for tourist wallet share, though not specialized in cetacean encounters.
• Southern Discoveries (Milford Sound): Large NZ nature tourism operator running boat cruises and wildlife experiences in Fiordland. Comparable as a NZ scenic/nature boat cruise operator serving international tourists, though in a different region.

Emerging players

• Wings Over Whales: Kaikoura-based aerial whale watching operator offering scenic flights. Comparable as a NZ marine mammal tourism operator competing for the same nature-focused traveler, differentiated by aircraft vs. vessel.

Regional players

• Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruises: Akaroa (Canterbury, NZ) operator running dolphin and wildlife cruises. Comparable marine wildlife tour format targeting international tourists, but operating in a different NZ region without direct Auckland competition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/auckland-whale-&-dolphin-safari

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari