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Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise - Black Cat Cruises

4.8
1333
Deals from $95.00 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 $125.00 (16+ years)
Child $60.00 (5-15 years)
Infant $0.00 (0 - 4 years)

Duration

  • Allow approximately 2 hours for the whole experience

Location

  • Akaroa Main Wharf
  • 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 10 Jan to 23 Jan 2026

Change Dates

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Sat 10 Jan
Sun 11 Jan
Mon 12 Jan
Tue 13 Jan
Wed 14 Jan
Thu 15 Jan
Fri 16 Jan
Sat 17 Jan
Sun 18 Jan
Mon 19 Jan
Tue 20 Jan
Wed 21 Jan
Thu 22 Jan
Fri 23 Jan

Bookings close in 2 hours...

  • Adult$109.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$95.00
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$95.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$109.00
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$95.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$95.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$95.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$95.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$95.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$95.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$95.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$95.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$95.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$95.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

Bookings close in 5 hours...

  • Adult$109.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$109.00
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$109.00
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$109.00
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$109.00
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$109.00
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$109.00
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$109.00
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$109.00
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$109.00
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$109.00
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$109.00
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$109.00
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$109.00
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

Bookings close in 7 hours...

  • Adult$109.00
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$109.00
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$109.00
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$109.00
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$109.00
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$109.00
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$109.00
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$109.00
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$109.00
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$109.00
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$109.00
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$109.00
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$109.00
  • Child$45.00
  • Infant Free

  • Adult$109.00
  • Child$45.00
  • 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

1333 reviews

Showing all 1333 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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emilyt10 from New Zealand wrote on 07 January 2026

Amazing

My husband and I and our 2 daughters went on the cruise. We all loved it, we seen dolphins, seals and even a penguin. The staff are very friendly. We will definitely do the cruise again. We would recommend everyone to do the cruise.

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Gillian from New Zealand wrote on 03 January 2026

Enjoyable harbour cruise

This is the 3rd time I have done the nature harbour cruise and I loved it. It’s such an enjoyable experience and well worth the cost.

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Chamman Prakash from Australia wrote on 31 December 2025

Black Cat Cruise

Awesome experience,lots of time,lots of activities like watching Dolphins,seals,caves etc. beautiful scenery views.

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J from New Zealand wrote on 16 December 2025

Lots of dolpins

We enjoyed our cruise - friendly staff, good spaces to watch or get out of the weather, and lots of dolphins and beautiful scenery. The 2 hour harbour cruise felt like a good length.

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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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