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Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise - Black Cat Cruises

4.8
1354
Deals from $100.00 Save $30.00 Check dates nowsystem_update_alt
Experience a dolphin cruise in Akaroa and encounter the Hector's dolphin, the world’s smallest and rarest.

Experience a dolphin cruise in Akaroa and encounter the Hector's dolphin, the world’s smallest and rarest.

Highlights

  • Enjoy the beautiful scenery around Akaroa Harbour
  • Watch dolphins, penguins, fur seals and birds in their natural habitat
  • View the stunning volcanic formation of Cathedral Cove
  • Relaxing cruise aboard our comfortable catamaran

Experience a dolphin cruise in Akaroa and encounter the world’s smallest and rarest marine dolphin – the endangered Hector’s dolphin. Cruise past Akaroa’s dramatic volcanic sea cliffs, fur seal colonies, and marine birdlife, all while gaining insight into the area’s rich natural and cultural history.

Black Cat Cruises are leaders in eco-tourism. During your cruise with us, you’ll discover the fascinating behaviors of Akaroa’s wildlife, learn about conservation efforts aimed at repopulating Hector’s dolphins, and explore how we can all contribute to their thriving future for generations to come.

Dolphins are sighted on 95% of our trips, if you do not see dolphins, we will give you a voucher to go again another day. Voted one of the top 101 things to do in New Zealand by local New Zealanders!

Adult $130.00 (16+ years)
Child $60.00 (5-15 years)
Infant $0.00 (0 - 4 years)

Duration

  • Allow approximately 2 hours for the whole experience

Location

  • 61 Beach Road
  • Akaroa 7520

Child Friendly

  • This experience welcomes families with children.

Bad Weather Refunds

  • If your experience is cancelled by the operator (because of the bad weather, safety concerns, unscheduled maintenance etc) you will be entitled to a full refund.

Notes

  • Product Extras: If you need to book additional spaces for adults or children, this can be done on your way to checkout.

    Child Age is 5-15 years old.

    Complimentary tea/coffee is provided on board. Light snacks and cold drinks are available on board including wine & beer.

  • New Pricing Adults $125.00 & Child (5-15yrs) $60.00

Available Bookings from 14 Oct to 27 Oct 2026

Change Dates

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Wed 14 Oct
Thu 15 Oct
Fri 16 Oct
Sat 17 Oct
Sun 18 Oct
Mon 19 Oct
Tue 20 Oct
Wed 21 Oct
Thu 22 Oct
Fri 23 Oct
Sat 24 Oct
Sun 25 Oct
Mon 26 Oct
Tue 27 Oct

  • Adult$100.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$50.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$115.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$50.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$115.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$50.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$100.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$50.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$100.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$50.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$100.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$50.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$100.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$50.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$115.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$50.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$115.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$50.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$100.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$50.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$115.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$50.00
  • Infant Free

Bookings close in 2 hours...

  • Adult$115.00
  • Child$50.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$115.00
  • Child$50.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$115.00
  • Child$50.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$115.00
  • Child$50.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$115.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$50.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$115.00
  • Child$50.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$115.00
  • Child$50.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$115.00
  • Child$50.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$115.00
  • Child$50.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$115.00
  • Child$50.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$115.00
  • Child$50.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$115.00
  • Child$50.00
  • Infant Free

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

4.8

1354 reviews

Showing all 1354 authenticated Bookme reviews

mazz from Australia wrote on 31 October 2025

Awesome trip

Weather wasnt in our favour on our cruise day as it was quite windy and tad wet and sadly no dolphin wanted to play about with us - few penguins bobbing around and some seals lazing about - but it was a nice outing none the less. Beautiful part of the world !

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michaele6 from New Zealand wrote on 11 April 2024

Awesome

My wife and I took some overseas family members on this Black cat trip last month out beyond the Heads in a stiff breeze and we had an awesome time with maybe just a dozen other passengers on board. An excellent informative commentary, plenty of wildlife to watch (Hectors, kekeno, penguins, petrels etc) and the crew's willingness to search, stop and watch whenever appropriate. Think the best part was booking through Book Me, saving some $25-30 pp which made the trip even more worthwhile. Thank you

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Shaanah from New Zealand wrote on 07 October 2026

A Good Cruise & Free Re-Book Tickets

It was a well run cruise. The captain’s commentary about the landmarks was very interesting. The weather was a bit rough & rainy due to southerly weather. We were able to see some seals, but didn’t end up seeing any penguins or dolphins. The company ended up giving all the passengers a re-book ticket (with no expiry date) to go on the cruise another time, as per their policy if no dolphins are spotted.

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Nigel Elliott from New Zealand wrote on 17 September 2026

Black Cat

Excellent cruise, Wonderful on board crew. Saw some Hector's Dolphins and fur deals close up. Knowledgeable commentary. Highly recommend

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Alexia Morris from New Zealand wrote on 14 August 2026

Fantastic experience :)

Fantastic cruise through beautiful scenery and saw lots of wildlife - hectors dolphins, NZ fur seals, albatross and petrels. Well worth it, thanks for the great experience!

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Qualmark Certification

This award identifies a business with a high level of professionalism, a keen awareness of the impact it has on the environment and a commitment to a customer centric approach.

This award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure the business's focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create genuine, constantly evolving and sustainable tourism experiences.

This award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand. It denotes exceptional customer experiences at the heart of everything the company does. This business is leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.

When you see the Qualmark logo, your activity of choice is endorsed by New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation and backed by leaders in the industry. It's your trusted guide to iconic activities and experiences that are awarded for their exceptionally high level of quality, safety and sustainability.

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