Top Akaroa Nature and Wildlife Tours

The rarest dolphins in the world live in Akaroa's waters, and you can get close on this eco-friendly sailing tour. Step back in time aboard the Fox II, a vintage wooden sailboat that’s over 100 years old and one of New Zealand's oldest working ketch boats. Glide quietly through the waters, looking out for dolphins, penguins, seals, and albatross but leaving them undisturbed for a memorable wildlife experience.

Spot Akaroa Harbour’s rare Hector’s dolphins on a catamaran wildlife cruise that includes fresh-baked cookies and a drink. The 2-hull catamaran offers more stability and deck space than a single-hull boat, ensuring a comfortable spot as you scan for fur seals, white-flippered penguins, and other wildlife. Dolphin-spotting dogs are on board. Equipped with dog life-vests and a keen ear, they’ll help make your dolphin encounter an unforgettable experience.

Cruise Akaroa Harbour aboard a spacious catamaran to see rare Hector’s dolphins, little blue penguins, albatross, and other native seabirds. Cruising allows you to see things that aren’t accessible any other way. Enjoy panoramic views of volcanic cliffs, sea caves, and New Zealand vegetation while learning about local conservation and cultural history. Refresh with complimentary hot drinks and remember your trip with a souvenir postcard.

Escape city lights to Akaroa's pristine dark skies for our intimate "Night Awe" tour. Join expert astronomer Luca for a captivating experience through the Southern Hemisphere's celestial wonders. Experience the cosmos with two powerful telescopes: our 10-inch Dobsonian for stunning visual observations and a ZWO Seestar S50 smart telescope for live astrophotography. Witness the breathtaking Milky Way, planets, vibrant nebulae, and distant galaxies. Receive incredible digital photo souvenirs! Instant nebula/deep-sky photos: Captured live with our smart telescope, ready for instant social media sharing! Your personalized souvenir photo under the night sky: A beautiful digital keepsake of you (or your group) among the stars, sent next day. Enjoy complimentary hot drink and cozy blankets for ultimate comfort. Our small group size ensures a personalized experience. Conveniently located at Akaroa Heritage Park, just minutes from town. Book your unparalleled stargazing experience today!

This Akaroa shore excursion takes you on a scenic journey into Christchurch via the Banks Peninsula with a visit to the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. Your tour of the ‘Garden City’ includes a stroll through the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and a look at earthquake recovery efforts in the city center. You’ll find exotic critters such as wallabies, gibbons and lemurs at the wildlife reserve, and meet the elusive but iconic kiwi, New Zealand’s national bird.

New Zealand's only guided DAILY tour of the Sun! Discover the Sun like never before. Located just a 90-minute scenic drive from Christchurch, this unique daytime experience offers a safe, fascinating look at our nearest star, perfect for all ages and Akaroa day trips. You will observe sunspots, solar flares, and intricate surface activity in stunning detail through our specialized solar telescope. Our expert astronomer will guide you, sharing captivating facts and making this a hands-on, exciting introduction to astronomy. We use our cutting-edge ZWO Seestar S50 smart telescope to capture high-resolution images of the Sun live. These incredible digital photos are then shared with you instantly! Plus, easily snap your own stunning visuals directly through the telescope with our smartphone adapter. Leave with unique, Insta-worthy visuals you won't find anywhere else. This short, educational, and high-tech tour is ideal for all ages. Book your spot now for an unforgettable experience!

My true story | New Zealand’s History Do not miss out on this incredible New Zealand experience. Just look at the amazing 5 star reviews! Guests describe this tour as the “New Zealand’s best kept secret”, “the best thing to do in Akaroa”, “best tour in Canterbury.” 2-hour tours are available - contact Marie directly This tour is owned and operated by The 7th Generation descendant of the French settlers, expert trained historian and ecologist and natural born storyteller. Guests consistently report that the tour had a BIG impact on them, leaving them feeling connected to nature and inspired for the future. Expert guide Marie Haley, was a FINALIST at the 2024 New Zealand Tourism Awards for Tourism Business Excellence, a big deal for a one-woman operation. This tour will take you to all of Akaroa’s hidden gems - you will simply see no other tourists. This tour includes all the best things to do in Akaroa, that you could not access and understand without this expert guide.

This is a Private Tour. We can take up to 11 passengers and as locals have been proudly showing visitors Christchurch and the South Island for over 25 years (see "E S Tours" Trip Advisor Reviews). We like to think our tours are small, friendly, informative and we look for the interesting back roads to travel away from most tour destinations and itineraries.

The first and only tour of its kind in New Zealand! We are the closest dark sky experience to Christchurch, just a 90-minute scenic drive away! This unmatched 3-hour experience combines daytime solar observation with spectacular night stargazing, all in one unforgettable evening. You'll gain access to three specialized telescopes—a dedicated solar scope, an optical telescope and the ZWO Seestar S50 smart telescope. Witness history as the ZWO captures instant, shareable digital photos of the Sun and vibrant nebulae live! Savour a delicious local grazing platter as the light transitions, creating a magical atmosphere before the stars appear. Our small group size guarantees personalized guidance from an expert astronomer and maximum comfort. You leave with two incredible digital souvenirs: your instant celestial captures AND a beautiful personalized photo of you under Akaroa's starry sky. Don't just look up—experience the universe! Book this comprehensive, photo-rich tour now.