S
Great experience! Saw...
Great experience! Saw many dolphins and seals. The crew was knowledgeable and friendly. They made for a great afternoon!
Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise
+9 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Price from
- $75 / person
- Location
- Akaroa
- Rating
- 4.7 / 5 · 361 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 99
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Black Cat Cruises
- Meeting point
- Please check in to the Black Cat office at 61 Beach Road at least 30 minutes prior to departure.
Description
Cruise through the stunning Akaroa Harbour and encounter some of New Zealand’s most unique marine wildlife, including the rare Hector’s dolphin, NZ fur seals, penguins, and seabirds. Set aboard a spacious, modern catamaran with large viewing decks and indoor seating, this award-winning nature cruise offers comfort, panoramic views, and expert commentary from your knowledgeable skipper. You’ll explore an ancient volcanic crater, marvel at towering 500-foot sea cliffs and vibrant rock formations. Learn about local conservation efforts and Akaroa’s rich Māori and European history. Complimentary tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and a free postcard. With guaranteed departures (weather permitting), it’s a must-do for nature and wildlife lovers and families alike. As New Zealand’s first eco-tourism operator, we’re proud to support the dolphin protection efforts alongside the Department of Conservation and the NZ Whale & Dolphin Trust.
Tour Options
What's included
Included
2-hour nature cruise
GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Wildlife viewing
Postcard
Tea, coffee or hot chocolate
Full on-board commentary
Not included
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop off
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.7
361 reviews
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise take?
Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise lasts about 2 hours.
How much does Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise cost?
Prices start at $75 per person for this Akaroa experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Please check in to the Black Cat office at 61 Beach Road at least 30 minutes prior to departure. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 99 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.7 out of 5 across 361 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Black Cat Cruises.
Reviews(361)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
D
Great afternoon
Great afternoon with beautiful scenery, hectors dolphins, New Zealand fur seals,penguins and conservation focussed information. Recommend!
F
Great service
Very friendly staff, great customer service, nothing was a bother for them. They even helped my granddaughter who had a broken arm up and down the ladder into the wheel house to drive the boat. They enjoyed their surprise day out with nana and Pop. Thank you to the staff for their service. We did not see dolphins that day so we’re given tickets to redo trip again, hopefully with better luck in seeing them.
I
Best experience in Akaroa
The nature cruise was beautiful, informative and we were fortunate enough to see Hector's dolphins, white flippers karora and kakeno. The trip was a good length of time and we learnt lots about the history of the harbour.
U
Great day out in Akaroa
Great experience, loved Akaroa and the cruise and team aboard were great. Only 2 Hector dolphins but we did see them. Love to help recommend you, thanks for a great day out
Operator response
Kia ora U97671BClesleys, thanks so much for taking the time to write us a review on TripAdvisor! So stoked to hear you had such a great time out with us and loved Akaroa - it's such a magic spot!!! Thank you for the recommedation and we hope you can come out and join us again soon. Thanks again for all the team at Black Cat Cruises.
L
Winter cruise
We had a great cruise this morning! There wasn’t many people on the boat which was excellent as our kids were able to wander about but the skipper and the rest of the staff were excellent, even entertaining the kids with a dance party in the cabin! Thanks so much guys! We will be back. Definite highlight of our weekend.
Operator response
Kia ora leahhS9471WA, thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted your family had such a fantastic time on our Akaroa Nature Cruise. Winter is a beautiful time to explore Akaroa Harbour, and having extra space on board can make it even more enjoyable for families. We're so pleased our skipper and crew helped make the experience extra memorable with the dance party – they'll love hearing your feedback! We look forward to welcoming you back for another family-friendly wildlife cruise, where hopefully you'll enjoy even more encounters with Hector's dolphins, fur seals and the incredible marine wildlife that makes Akaroa so special. Thanks again for choosing Black Cat Cruises!
M
Spectacular scenery
Amazing trip. Spectacular scenery and loved the guided information on the tour with a typical kiwi sense of humour
Operator response
Kia ora matthewH98WI, thank you for your lovely review! We're so pleased you enjoyed the spectacular scenery of Akaroa Harbour and the commentary from our crew. We love sharing the history, wildlife and unique landscapes of the Banks Peninsula, and we're glad our Kiwi sense of humour made the experience even more enjoyable! We hope to welcome you back on another Akaroa Nature Cruise soon for more unforgettable scenery and incredible wildlife encounters with Hector's dolphins, fur seals and little blue penguins. Thanks for choosing Black Cat Cruises!
C
Happily do it again
This was a fantastic relaxing experience. I would happily do it again. My only complaint is that commentary was muffled
H
A must while in Akaroa
Our skipper was very informative with a bit of humor. Great staff and a lovely boat trip seeing a penguin, seal and of course the fascinating dolphins
Operator response
Kia ora Happiness646664, thank you for your fantastic review! We're thrilled you got to experience so much of Akaroa's incredible marine wildlife, including a little blue penguin, New Zealand fur seals and, of course, the amazing Hector's dolphins. It's great to hear our skipper's informative commentary and Kiwi humour helped make the cruise even more enjoyable. We really appreciate you recommending our Akaroa Nature Cruise as a must-do while visiting Akaroa, and we hope to welcome you back to explore Akaroa Harbour with us again soon.
V
Wonderful experience
What a fabulous experience this was.
Operator response
Kia ora ValerieKiwi, thank you for your kind words! We're so pleased you had such a wonderful experience with us. Whether it's encountering the rare Hector's dolphins, discovering the spectacular scenery of Akaroa Harbour, or simply enjoying time on the water, we love creating memorable wildlife experiences for our guests. We hope to welcome you back to Black Cat Cruises for another unforgettable Akaroa Nature Cruise in the future.
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| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise | 2 hours | 4.7 (361) | $75 | |
 Akaroa Dolphins ~ Harbour Nature Cruise | 2 hours | 5.0 (2,276) | $80 | View |
 Akaroa Nature and History Private Tour - The 7th Generation | 3 hours | 5.0 (20) | $345 | View |
 Akaroa Shore Excursion: Akaroa Harbour and Giants House Local Tour | 2h 30min | 4.3 (19) | $57 | View |
 Akaroa Shore Excursion: Akaroa Harbour and Sheep Farm Local Tour | 2h 30min | 4.5 (11) | $66 | View |
 Private Transfer from Akaroa Cruise Port to Christchurch City | 1h 35min | — | $179 | View |
 Akaroa Shore Excursion: Banks Peninsula and Christchurch City Sights Tour | 6 hours | 3.8 (228) | $83 | View |
from$75
4.7(361) Free cancellation