Make this two hour cruise on Akaroa Harbour, part of your day trip to Akaroa, or allow time for it during your stopover. Akaroa is located 90 minutes drive from from Christchurch. Akaroa township enjoys a stunning setting on the shores of this picturesque harbour. Akaroa Harbour was created as the sea breached the rim of a volcanic crater producing a sheltered bay surrounded by steep craggy hills and volcanic sea cliffs. The waters are home to the rare Hectors Dolphin, New Zealand Fur Seal and White Flippered Blue Penguin.

Cruise Highlights:
Your modern catamaran, the 60 feet / 20 meter Black Cat (previously Canterbury Cat), is perfect for viewing the natural wonders of the harbour. The vessel is the largest and most luxurious on the harbour. There's lots of space on the 2 decks for unimpeded viewing and there's plenty of covered seating, in case you need to get out of the sunshine. Inside there's a bar and toilets. And being the largest it's both stable and safe. Relax stretch out and discover the harbour with award winning Black Cat Cruises.

The cruise is fully narrated by your skipper who has extensive knowledge of the nature, wildlife and history of the harbour.

The highlight of this trip is undoubtedly the sighting of one of the world's smallest and rarest dolphins, the Hector's or New Zealand Dolphin. These friendly and inquisitive mammals meet the boat most days throughout the year and their calves can be seen between October and March.


Also on the trip you will catch glimpses of the White Flippered Blue Penguin, the smallest penguin in the world. There are many different bird species in the Harbour, including five different cormorant species and the chance of sighting the endangered yellow-eyed penguin.

You'll also see the New Zealand Fur Seal sunning themselves on the harbours rocks near the entrance at Seal Bay.

We will stop at Lucas Bay to look at a salmon farm where thousands of salmon from fingerlings to adult fish are farmed in a series of cages.You will see them jumping as we approach the cages. This is where the world-famous 'Akaroa Salmon' are raised.

On each two-hour cruise we will endeavour to show you wildlife plus the many sea caves and volcanic cliffs. As Akaroa Harbour was a live volcano nine million years ago, there is many spectacular ancient lava flows to be seen. One cliff has a sheer 500-foot face and has a fascinating history while Nikau Palm Gully is the Southern most limit for these palm trees. There is also the incredible Scenery Nook, an amazing pink, purple and red volcanic amphitheatre that will take your breath away.