Akaroa Tours & Day Trips

Akaroa tours mostly head out on the harbour or over the hills to the bays, and the choice comes down to what you want to see and how much of a day you have. Harbour cruises look for Hector's dolphins, penguin and kayak trips run from the outer bays of Banks Peninsula, and a few Christchurch sightseeing tickets sit alongside them. These trips fit into the wider things to do in Akaroa, from the village to the bays.

Akaroa Harbour dolphin and wildlife cruise

A 2-hour wildlife cruise is the straightforward way onto the water. The Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise carries a nature guide who looks for Hector's dolphins, the world's smallest dolphin, along with New Zealand fur seals on the volcanic rocks and seabirds. It departs from the Black Cat Cruises office at 61 Beach Road, daily at 10.45am and 1.30pm all year, with an extra 3.45pm sailing in December and January. Tea, coffee and hot chocolate come with the ticket.

Penguin tours at Pōhatu Bay

Little Penguins nest at Pōhatu Bay, and the road in is gravel that needs a 4WD, so these tours collect from Akaroa in 4WD vans. The Evening Penguin Tour is a guided visit to the nesting sites with camouflage gear and binoculars, timed to start before sunset so you can watch penguins come ashore. For a daytime option, the Pohatu Penguins 4WD Safari takes the scenic drive to the bay with a guide and a chance to feed the pet sheep by hand, and 4WD safaris from Akaroa share the same road.

The season matters. The best viewing is the breeding season, from the end of August to December, and the penguins are not seen from the end of February to early April.

Sea kayaking tours on Banks Peninsula

Guided sea kayaking heads into the Pōhatu Marine Reserve, where volcanic cliffs, rock stacks, reefs and sea caves rise from the water. The Half Day Sea Kayaking Safari is the shortest way in, with a scenic 4WD drive, photo stops and all the kit supplied. The Pōhatu sea kayaking and 4WD safari adds a visit to the Little Penguin colony.

Longer days stack more in. The Full Day Hike and Kayak Combo starts with a walk through ancient forest on a private track down to the bay, before the paddle, and it asks for a good level of fitness. The Kayak and Evening Tour Combo pairs a paddle with an evening penguin tour. More paddling options sit under Akaroa water sports.

Christchurch sightseeing before or after Akaroa

Akaroa is 86 km and a 1.5-hour drive from Christchurch, so a trip often starts or ends in the city. Punting on the Avon River is a 30-minute ride on a shared punt past the Botanic Gardens, and the Christchurch Gondola is a return ride with 360-degree views, leaving from Heathcote Valley. The Christchurch 3 Attractions Combo Pass covers the tram, punting and the gondola, and the attractions don't have to be done on the same day.

Choosing an Akaroa tour

Dolphins live in the harbour and penguins nest in the bays, so a cruise and a penguin tour make a natural pair. The cruise fits a morning or early afternoon, the penguin tours are timed for the evening, and the kayak trips run from half-day outings to full-day ones. In summer, restaurants in Akaroa are often closed by the time evening tours return, so eat first or bring food.

Travelling with children? The harbour cruise, the bay walks and the evening trips suit different ages, so start with things to do in Akaroa with kids.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Akaroa dolphin cruise?

The Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise is a 2-hour wildlife cruise on Akaroa Harbour with a nature guide on board. It sails at 10.45am and 1.30pm all year, with an extra 3.45pm sailing in December and January.

Where can you see penguins in Akaroa?

Little Penguins can be seen at Pōhatu Bay on guided evening penguin tours and on a daytime 4WD safari from Akaroa. The best viewing is the breeding season, from the end of August to December, and the penguins are not seen from the end of February to early April.

Do you need a 4WD to get to Pōhatu Bay?

A 4WD is needed to reach Pōhatu Bay by car, because the road is steep, narrow and windy gravel. The penguin and kayak tours collect from Akaroa in 4WD vans, so no car is needed.

Do you need kayaking experience for Akaroa sea kayaking tours?

No kayaking experience is needed for the guided sea kayaking tours near Akaroa, which supply the kayaks, life jackets and guides. Children are generally preferred from around 11 years old, in a double kayak with an adult.

How far is Akaroa from Christchurch?

Akaroa is 86 km from Christchurch, a 1.5-hour drive, and the last stretch is a 50-minute run on a hilly, windy road. Tours leave from Akaroa itself, so allow time to drive in before a morning departure.

Are Akaroa tours suitable for children?

Children under 5 sail free on the Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise, which has high rails and suits families, and child tickets on the other tours cover ages 5 to 15. Kayak tours generally suit children from around 11.

Match the tour to the wildlife you most want to see, a harbour cruise for dolphins and an evening trip for penguins, then book the day that fits.