Spring Deals 

$200 Family Pass.

NZ Spring 20% Discount.

 Our Family Pass is $200 for 2 adults and 2 children (aged 0-15 years), a saving of $84. Offer valid for cruises before 31st October 2020. To book this special deal, please call or email us today. *T&Cs apply. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount.

 Receive 20% off your booking today. To redeem this special deal, please call or email us today and quote SPRING. Offer valid for cruises before the 31st of October 2020. *T&Cs apply. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount.

Explore the towering volcanic cliffs, reefs and sea caves of Pohatu marine reserve en encounter its unique wildlife.

You will be taken on a wildlife adventure to find various seabirds, see curious New Zealand fur seals with pups playing in rock pools, Little penguins and possibly even spot the world's smallest dolphin gliding under your kayak.

There is much to see and explore under the guidance of our experienced knowledgeable guides.

Explore the outer coast of Pohatu Marine Reserve and marvel at its spectacular towering cliffs, rock stacks, reefs, and deep-sea caves.

Flea Bay Island and the impressive island arch make an added exciting attraction in settled sea conditions. Observe the diverse wildlife and marine species such as penguins, seals, various sea birds and possibly the world’s smallest dolphin!

Best of all, no experience necessary! Trips are only run in settled, safe conditions. Your safety is our top priority.

Pohatu Penguins is a family-run business with a long-standing history of protecting the Korora (Little Penguin) for 30+ years. So, when purchasing a tour, you have a positive input on our little Korora.

Small group tours run from Akaroa over one of the most scenic back country roads by 4WD van to Pohatu/ Flea Bay and Pohatu marine reserve, a beautiful sheltered bay out on the wild south eastern corner of Banks Peninsula and home to the largest Little Penguin Colony on mainland New Zealand with over 2000 penguins breeding there

Tour includes:

• Scenic drive by 4WD mini vans
• Photos stops along the way with commentary about the area
• Fully guided by experienced staff
• All gear (life jackets, dry jackets, spray deck, dry bags for cameras...)

 Prices

• Adult: $110 and $120
• Child (5 to 15): $65
• Group of 4 or more: $110

Departure time

8.00am and 12.00pm in summer and 11.15am from May to August

Length

3.5 to 4 hours with an average of an hour and half kayaking on the water.

Join us for a fun morning out on the water.  Our small boat is ideal for an intimate Hector's dolphin swimming or dolphin watching encounter! With only one trip per day we are not in a rush and will take plenty of time to ensure you get the best experience possible.

​We will also explore some of the volcanic coastline, including sea caves, and look out for seals, penguins and sea birds.  

Daily tours at 7.30am  (1^st October to early April)

Why come with us?

• For a start - our price! $150pp or, if staying at any of the Onuku Farm Hostel accommodation, $130pp. Dolphin watching $75.
• Small groups - with a maximum of 10 passengers you will have a more intimate dolphin experience.
• 'Orca', our boat, is the ideal vessel - even while on the boat you get closer to the dolphins than on any other boat on Akaroa Harbour.
• No, we don't have a heated cabin but you will be out there where the action is.
• Operated from the family farm by a 4th generation Kiwi –one of the original dolphin tours on Akaroa Harbour and we have plenty of experience.
• We meet and get ready at Onuku Farm and board the boat at the picturesque Onuku Marae - away from the hustle and bustle of Akaroa.
• Early trips before the crowds get out there.

 Do you have a group and prefer your own private tour? Get in touch with us!

 Bookings are essential and you can either email, ring us or send a text message.

Come see spectacular coastline and magnificent wildlife aboard our classic Kauri launch. 2.5 hour trips, personally guided by skipper/owner Tony Muir. "We will get you up close to Hectors dolphins, little blue penguins, NZ fur seals and amazing seabirds."

Boarding from far -end of Main Wharf, Akaroa at 10.15 and 1.45pm. Small groups on a spacious, dry and comfortable wooden launch. Private fishing & social charters are available. Summer cruises are $85 per adult. Children 3-15 years old $35.  under 3 year are free.

"Join us for the Best wildlife trip!"

SPECIALS for October

6 or more adults 20% off regular price

School Holiday Family Special

2 Adults and 2 Children only $170

Enjoy this nature experience to visit the New Zealand Fur Seals on a small group tour. Your local guide has more than 20 years experience. Beginning in Akaroa your guide will pick you up and take you on a unique journey up over the rim of an extinct volcano, past spectacular farmland and ocean views, and down eastern slopes to the Pacific Ocean. There, at the foot of one-hundred-metre cliffs, you will encounter an adorable colony of New Zealand Fur Seals, swimming and sun bathing amongst 8-million-year-old volcanic deposits. Safaris run from the beginning of October to the end of April at 9:30am and 1:00pm and takes between 2.5 to 3 hours.

Sail with dophins, see wildlife. Akaroa harbour up close on New Zealand's oldest ketch Fox II. Learn about local history & help crew if you want. With 2 wooden masts and 6 sails there is always a halyard to hoist or a sheet to be pulled. 3 hour tour with historic narration, complementary fresh brewed coffee, tea, homemade hot chocolate and biscuits. The only boat in Akaroa with dolphin guarantee! You will see dolphins, penguins and seals (sometimes albatross), visit Cathedral Cave, see a waterfall and giant cliffs.

To add to the many attractions that the beautiful Akaroa harbour provides, we specialize in giving the more adventurous an unforgettable jet boating experience, a must for those seeking that something extra! Climb aboard our 20 seat, twin v8 600HP 'Phat time' jet boat. This 7.5 metre cobra jet boat is the latest design combining power and speed with built-in comfort and exceptional safety features. A high speed 360 degree spin will show you just what this jet boat is capable of.

Sail Akaroa (with Twin Gullies Sailing)

Beat the crowds and join us for a relaxing 3 hour experience on “Joint Effort” our 10.5 metre yacht. Cruise on Akaroa Harbour and learn the colourful history of this amazing slice of New Zealand. 

You may choose to take our Sea and Vineyard package which includes a 3 hour sail followed by a visit to French Peaks Vineyard for a light snack and a spot of wine tasting. You must book this package the day before your trip.

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Join award-winning Black Cat Cruises, aboard our large comfortable catamaran. Discover and learn about the rare Hector's dolphins, seals, penguins and more. View stunning scenery, including the volcanic Cathedral Cave, relics of the area's past and a salmon farm. Complimentary tea & coffee on board and a postcard. Cruises depart daily from the main wharf. If you don’t see any dolphins, come again for FREE!

On our boat, you are part of the environment not removed from it.

While dolphins surf under the boat you can feel the spray from their blowhole!

DOLPHIN SWIMMING  10:30AM

Come and join us on one of our small, personal tours and experience the magic of swimming with the Hectors Dolphin in Akaroa New Zealand. They are the smallest and rarest oceanic dolphins in the world. Akaroa is the only place in the world you can experience them personally in their natural habitat. We are a small local family business, 100% locally owned & operated. We run one swim tour per day exclusively limited to 12 guests, offering a longer dolphin swimming tour to maximize your experience and your value for money with a 90.5% success rate. Wetsuits, masks & snorkels are provided, hot chocolate & biscuits. Akaroa’s #1 Dolphin Swim on tripadvisor. YOU FIND US WE FIND THEM. Department of Conservation Approved.

Hire a high quality, super stable Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) and head out to cruise our beautiful harbour. All safety gear supplied as well as SUP paddling tips if required. Boards are available by the hour as singles or hire a family Size SUP that takes up to 4 people! Or book for a NightSUP tour and view Akaroa's sealife under super bright lights and have an experience that everyone raves about!

Swimming with dolphins all year round! Akaroa Harbour is the only place on the entire planet where you can get up close and personal with NZ's playful and endemic Hector's dolphins. Depart on one of our safe and comfortable vessels with our knowledgeable and awesome crew! All year round an unforgettable adventure awaits you, where everything is provided for your ultimate swimming with dolphins experience. A separate price is available for dolphin spectating only. Everything is provided: wetsuits, hot showers and hot chocolate. Finalist in the Qualmark 100% Pure Experience Awards 2019.

We offer a dolphin guarantee. Our 2 - 4 -1 deal will be running just until the end of October.

Pre-booking is highly recommended. 

Southern Wanderer Scenic Cruises is a family business offering cruises from Akaroa exploring the amazing scenery and wildlife of Banks Peninsula. We cater for small numbers of up to 8 passengers, keeping the trips relaxed and allowing us to offer personal service with informative conversational commentary. Our scheduled cruises depart from Akaroa's main wharf at 9:30am and 12:00 midday. BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL: online by the BOOK NOW button below phone 0800 226273.

We also run private charters with flexible departure times, trip durations and itineraries. If your preference is to explore at another time of day with your own group of family, friends or colleagues with our professional skipper, we can tailor a trip specifically for you. Our rates are competitive and affordable and often less than you would pay to go on one of the larger boats with dozens of other passengers.

Harbour Cruise 2:30pm

Do you have a sense for adventure?

Then join us on our Harbour Adventure Cruise - you will not be disappointed. The scenery and wildlife here are incredible. Steve the captain & owner is a 5th generation local who knows all the secrets and special places of Akaroa Harbour. We run one 2hr Harbour Cruise per day, exclusively limited to 12 guests. Our boat is a 12.5-meter Rayglass Protector (an ex America’s Cup Chase boat & Coastguard Marine Rescue Vessel) It’s an exciting, fun, safe sea-going boat. We are 100% locally owned & operated. Highly recommended on tripadvisor.