Otago Peninsula is one of the South Island's most significant wildlife areas and boasts an untamed landscape. Experience its beauty during a leisurely cruise around Otago Harbour. From the pier, it's just a short coach ride to the MV Monarch, a nimble sightseeing vessel that cruises from picturesque Port Chalmers along the Otago Peninsula, rich in geological and historical significance. The vessel cruises to Taiaroa Head, named after a Maori chieftain and home to an old coastal fort and a colony of royal albatross. Enjoy onboard commentary that focuses on the history of the cape with its 1860s lighthouse, 100-year-old fort and unique albatross-breeding colony, now a protected nature reserve that is home to around 140 birds. You'll also be on the lookout for blue penguins, New Zealand fur seals, and Hooker's sea lions. Enjoy a beverage and wildlife information sheets that you can take home as a memento.