A harbour of creativity, Akaroa harbour is the perfect place to sail, power or paddle-based activities.
Akaroa Dolphins | Harbour Nature Cruises
Winter Deals
$200 Family Pass.
NZ Winter 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 the 31st of August 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 WINTER. Offer valid for cruises before the 31st of August 2020. *T&Cs apply. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount.
Black Cat Harbour Nature Cruises
KIDS CRUISE FREE – July School Holidays!
Take your kids to see the world's rarest & smallest dolphins these school holidays.
Board the big Black Cat catamaran and explore Akaroa Harbour.
See dolphins, penguins and seals in majestic surroundings.
During the July school holidays (4th – 19th July) Kids Cruise free…..
Use code KIDSFEST when booking online and children will go free when accompanied by a paying adult
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!
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.
Akaroa Jet Adventures
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.
Summer Tour times:
Normal touring times are 1.30 pm and 3.45 pm. An additional time of 2.30pm is available should numbers require.
Groups can be individually catered for with regards to times and pricing. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
During days when cruise ships are visiting Akaroa extra touring times will be added and tour departure times for those days will be 11.30am, 1.00pm, 2.15pm, and 3.30pm.
Prices: Only $79 per Adult and $45 for Children (13 years and under). 50 minute tours.
Weather depending. Can take 18 persons.
Operates from Beach road shop. Book at Akaroa Jet on 61 Beach Rd.
Black Cat Swimming with Dolphins
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.
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!
Akaroa Seal Colony Safari
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.
ecoSeaker -Harbour Cruises
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.
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.
Southern Wanderer Scenic Cruises
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.
Take incredible shots of seacliffs, wildlife and seabirds for your Instagram feed and indelible memories of this beautiful place that we call home.
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.
As well as scenic tours, Southern Wanderer is available for general charters, including research, filming, corporate outings, marine service work etc.
Phone or email us to book or enquire about our scheduled trips and private charters.
Visit our Facebook page Southern Wanderer Scenic Cruises for more infomation and 'Like' to receive updates and special offers.
Phone or email us to book or enquire about our scheduled trips and private charters.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southernwanderer_nz/
Coast up Close Wildlife Adventures
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 1-14 years old $40. Infants under 1 year are free.
"Join us for the Best wildlife trip!"
Akaroa's Fox II
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.
Akaroa's best value at $90pp ($45 per child). Seniors get a $10 discount and under 5 are free.
Departing Dalys Wharf 10.30am and 1.30pm.
The only boat to offer real sailing in the Pacific Ocean, not just the inner harbour.
Twin Gullies Sailing
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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Our goal is to avoid the crowds and treat you to a day you will never forget. With a maximum of 4 guests on board you are guaranteed a personal experience that begins in a picturesque cove that you would otherwise not see. Transfers to and from Akaroa are included.
If you are new to sailing then you are welcome to take advantage of the 40000 miles ocean sailing experience your skipper has, and learn some of the basics. You can become as involved in sailing and helming the vessel as you wish. If sun bathing and eating our home cooked muffins is more your thing, then that's just fine as well.
Sailing on “Joint Effort” is suited to all ages but a reasonable level of mobility is required.
Akaroa Paddle Board Hire & NightSUP Akaroa
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!
NightSUP Akaroa is New Zealands first and only guided night time paddle board operation.
Our boards are all equipped with custom made LED light kits that light up the sea floor as you glide around the stunning Akaroa waterfront.
There is a great variety of sealife and you just never know what will pop up!
Be one of the first to experience a truly magical experience that everyone is raving about.
You dont need any special gear and all equipment is provided.
You do not need to have paddled before to participate as a lesson is provided as part of the experience.
Check out a review here from Backpackerguide NZ HERE.
View our amazing selection of photos on our Facebook page HERE.
ecoSeaker - Dolphin Swimming
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.
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.
Pohatu Penguins Sea-Kayaking Safari
Our Sea kayaking safaris gives the opportunity of exploring the towering volcanic cliffs, reefs and sea-caves of the first marine reserve on the East-coast of the South Island: Pohatu. After a scenic ride with 4WD van to the bay you will be taken on a wildlife adventure to encounter various sea-birds including penguins in season, curious New Zealand fur seal pups always playing in rock pools and possibly the world’s smallest dolphin coming to say hi! There is much to see and explore even for the first-timers as trips are only run in settled safe conditions and fully guided by experienced guides.