Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise
Recommended by 95% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Akaroa, New Zealand
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Experience majestic scenery and look out for wildlife including rare Hector’s dolphins and blue penguins, on this narrated Akaroa Harbour cruise from Akaroa. Glide across the water in a spacious catamaran, past the harbor ’s sea caves and volcanic cliffs, while learning about the area's cultural history and current conservation efforts.
- Relax on board a luxury catamaran with unobstructed views
- Go beyond the guidebooks with expert insights from your skipper
- Choose from morning or afternoon departures to suit your schedule
- Enjoy hot drinks on-board as you admire the landscape
What's Included
- 2-hour nature cruise
- Full on-board commentary
- Tea, coffee or hot chocolate
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- Postcard
- Wildlife viewing
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop off
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 82 Beach Road, Akaroa 7520, New Zealand
Please check in to the Black Cat office, on the Main Wharf, in Akaroa (big blue building!), at least 30 minutes prior to departure.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Departing from Akaroa's main wharf, board a modern catamaran to explore the natural wonders of Akaroa Harbour during your 2-hour cruise.
Sip complimentary coffee and tea as you listen to live narration by the skipper, who has extensive knowledge of Akaroa Harbour. Pass sheer volcanic cliffs and sea caves such as Cathedral Cave, and see the breathtaking volcanic amphitheater of Scenery Nook.
Encounter wildlife such as little blue penguins, the smallest penguin in the world, and spot New Zealand fur seals basking on the rocks at Seal Bay. Sight inquisitive Hector’s dolphins, also known as New Zealand dolphins, whose calves can be seen between October and March.
Pass a colony of spotted shags and glimpse other seabirds including cormorants, white-fronted terns, and occasionally gannets, petrels, and albatross, before your cruise returns to the wharf.
Sip complimentary coffee and tea as you listen to live narration by the skipper, who has extensive knowledge of Akaroa Harbour. Pass sheer volcanic cliffs and sea caves such as Cathedral Cave, and see the breathtaking volcanic amphitheater of Scenery Nook.
Encounter wildlife such as little blue penguins, the smallest penguin in the world, and spot New Zealand fur seals basking on the rocks at Seal Bay. Sight inquisitive Hector’s dolphins, also known as New Zealand dolphins, whose calves can be seen between October and March.
Pass a colony of spotted shags and glimpse other seabirds including cormorants, white-fronted terns, and occasionally gannets, petrels, and albatross, before your cruise returns to the wharf.
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Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 99 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
JohnFrederick_G
Akaroa Harbor nature cruise was great! A highlight of our whole trip. Boat captain very knowledgeable about many different types of wildlife as well as rock formations & the whole area. Black Cat Cruises staff were all great, very friendly & helpful. Weather was perfect too! Definitely recommend Black Cat & the Akaroa nature cruise!
Reviews
4.7
based on 348 reviews
Amanda_L, Mar 2026
Friendly crew; good commentary; easy to move around boat; did not see penguins, however, did see Hector's dolphins, seals and birds of the albatross family.
Jeff_R, Feb 2026
Seeing the Dolphins was great. They are rare and beautiful. The coast line is spectacular. The crew and the boat were very nice.
Susan_G, Feb 2026
We travelled specifically to Akaroa for this experience. Whilst the company cannot be held responsible for the weather, they failed to email to say it was cancelled. We turned up to book in and were told it was not going ahead. They said they would have called and emailed us. With no New Zealand number, I was reliant on the email. There was no duch email sent. Their only excuse was that they must have put my email address in incorrectly. There was no offer to rebook us on for another day when the weather was better. A half- hearted apology was given. When asked about a refund, I was told to contact the booking agent. Due to the failure to contact us, we wasted most of the day waiting around for the trip, when we could have used the time to do something else. Disappointing customer service.
flora_M, Feb 2026
T'was amazing riding on the boat though there ' s wind whipping , and bumpy but exciting ..we enjoyed a lot !.
Cristel_B, Jan 2026
Fantastic day, saw lots of dolphins and some beautiful scenery. Commentary was well done. It was a lovely smooth day out on the water. Highly recommend!
Lisa_W, Dec 2025
Great 2h trip only problem had was getting pushed around (not that its the fault of the vendor), find a good spot when get on boat and try not to move but other then that it was a worthwhile experience
Fabiola_C, Dec 2025
The meeting Pont is wrong. We lost the activity. Zero support from viator. Better to book directly with the supplier.
Adrian_B, Nov 2025
Excellent cruise with engaging commentary. We saw dolphins, seals and many birds. Highly recommended
Dianna_M, Jul 2025
It was easy to book. Staff were fun friendly inviting. Free cuppa on board. A bit chilly but many blankets about boat to use.
We saw dolphins seals penguins.
Beautiful calm day,
Jennifer_P, Jul 2025
Fresh sea air, pristine water, wildlife in their natural habitat and a crew that has just the right mix of information and humour - this is a must do when visiting Aotearoa, New Zealand! We learned some history, heard beautiful Te Reo Māori and saw Hector dolphins, seals, sea birds and scenes that looked like they were from the movies. It was an incredible journey!
Lori_V, Jun 2025
The trip was amazing and lots of wildlife to be seen. The meeting point was easily found and the excursion allowed plenty of time to explore the town when it was finished. Highly recommend!
Michael_G, Mar 2025
Well worth the trip to Akaroa large clean boat. The boat wasn’t crowed. Departed on time. Very easy ticketing. Excellent commentary. Saw Hectir dolphins and fur seals
Jennifer_M, Feb 2025
You will never see the Hector dolphins anywhere else in the world. We saw plenty on a wonderful day from a top class vessel, The Black Cat.
Jay_S, Jan 2025
Nice easygoing cruise. Saw some good sights of animals, birds etc.
Good value for the money if of interest to you.
John_R, Dec 2024
Was a complete perfect day out and adventure for us 2 hours was just right a d the staff was very helpful and super friendly 😀
Catie_C, Dec 2024
Amazing, saw a huge pod of Hector’s dolphins and a ton of seals! Unbelievable experience, would highly recommend.
Chris_M, Oct 2024
Great Captain great crew great boat, thanks for a wonderful experience, Based on my experience I think it would be one of the better cruises in Akaroa
Cheryl_R, May 2024
Commentary was informative and interesting. The geologic, historical and cultural aspects were relevant
miki_h, Apr 2024
The captain and crew did their best to ensure we see as much as possible , they were professional and friendly
Aniko_J, Apr 2024
The tour was great. We got to see dolphins and sea lions and some spectacular cliffs. The waters were fairly calm so it made the trip enjoyable. The only suggestion I would make is that it was really hard to hear the skipper through the speakers for those sitting in the back of the boat. We missed a lot of the commentary. Otherwise it was a great tour and I would recommend it.
Gracie_M, Apr 2024
This was such an awesome experience- worth every cent! The skipper was very informative and we got to see dolphins, seals, and penguins!
Craig_S, Mar 2024
Awesome trip loved seeing the dolphins and penguins etc. Good value and good amenities. It is a must do if you are in Akaroa.
PHILIP_B, Feb 2024
In all a great experience, especially liked seeing the seals .
Excellent tour.
Would recommend to everyone.
Graeme_W, Feb 2024
I was very disappointed as i was sitting to take photos because I have a very large camera and all the Asians would stand in front of you and could not take photos
Nancy_A, Jan 2024
We have done several "cruisses" looking for wildlife and this cruise did not disappoint! The captain was entertaining! The crew was very helpful! We had great weather, although a little windy. We saw many Hector dolphins-even a young calf, a couple of Fairy Penguins and, a mama fur seal with her baby!! The Trifecta! The area is beautiful too. Highly recommend!
Natacha_G, Jan 2024
Wonderful cruise , saw a lot of dolphins, pinguins and seals.
The captain and crew super nice explaining all details about habitat .
The views are amazing as well.
Christine_R, Mar 2023
Great cruise. Beautiful clear day. Had to buy a hat and sunscreen. Skipper entertaining and informative. Saw dolphins and penguins. Unfortunately some other passengers selfishly hogged the views and didn't supervise their children.
Di_M, Mar 2023
Going out on the boat in Akaroa with some of my family and seeing the beautiful little dolphins, seals and bird life makes for a memorable moment in our beautiful country of New Zealand.
Lester_M, Mar 2023
The dolphins and the penguins were wonderful. The crew were polite. The day was sunny. The harbor was calm.
David_B, Feb 2023
Excellent service. Crew had great knowledge of the area and wildlife. Would do it again. Wildlife was amazing
From $73.03
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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