Hafen
Akaroa

Indulge your senses with the splendid coastal beauty of New Zealand during this exclusive and intimate Akaroa harbour and nature cruise via catamaran.

Two-Hour Catamaran Cruise, Akaroa Harbour, Local Wildlife

Depart the pier aboard your comfortable catamaran and commence your approximately two-hour nature cruise around Akaroa Harbour. This harbour is host to amazing bird-life and sea mammals, including the Hector's dolphin, the smallest and rarest dolphin in the world. The area is also home to New Zealand fur seals, blue penguins, fascinating seabirds, salmon, and paua farms.

Sea Caves, High Cliffs, Volcanic Rock Formations, Refreshment

As you glide along Akaroa Harbour aboard your fast, stable and manoeuvrable catamaran, explore the sea caves, high cliffs and volcanic rock formations of this spectacular seascape. During this memorable cruise experience, relax with a refreshing beverage and home-made baked goods as your guide recounts the region's history, geology, ecology, and Maori heritage and traditions.

Your cruise concludes back at the pier.

Discover the wonderful sights of Christchurch via land and water during this fun-filled punting experience with free time in the city.

Akaroa Harbour, Banks Peninsula, Christchurch, Avon River, Edwardian Punter, Punt-Boat Cruise

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 1.75-hour drive through the beautiful panorama of the Banks Peninsula en route to Christchurch. Upon arrival, proceed to the parking area, leave your coach and take a short walk to the punting station on the Avon River. After receiving your safety and punting instructions, embark your punt, a flat-bottomed boat, and enjoy a leisurely cruise along the Avon River. Along the way, sink back into the velvet cushions of your boat and take in the exquisite scenery as the Edwardian punter gently glides you down the river.

Rolleston Avenue, Free Time, Independent Shopping and Exploration, Lunch on Your Own

Following your river-cruise, disembark your punt-boat and join your guide for a short stroll to Rolleston Avenue. Here, your guide leaves you to explore this beautifully restored city independently, and enjoy lunch at your own expense at one of the city's many cafés and restaurants. At the conclusion of your tour, return to the drop-off point, meet your guide, and return to your coach on-foot.

Your tour concludes with an approximately 1.75-hour drive back to the pier via the Banks countryside.

Experience the spectacular panorama of Christchurch, after enjoying the 1.75 hour drive between Akaroa and Christchurch, offering beautiful countryside vistas throughout the journey.  The trip into Christchurch will take approximately an hour and three quarters each way

Akaroa Harbour, Banks Peninsula, Christchurch

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 1.75 -hour drive through the beautiful panorama of the Banks Peninsula e n route to Christchurch, being dropped off at a central stop. This will be the stop that you will be picked up again at the designated time.

You will be met by a concierge escort on your arrival and given a map with your local Guide contact, the key highlights and information to make your time more interesting and valuable.

Christchurch, City Centre Tour, Free Time, Shopping, Exploring, Lunch on Your Own

Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island, has a population of about 380,000. Named after a college at the University of Oxford, England, its reputation as a distinctly British city has evolved, now proudly showcasing its Kiwi identity. Situated along the River Avon, the city is known for its Gothic architecture and blooming gardens. Despite the devastating 2011 earthquake that levelled much of its infrastructure, Christchurch has risen like a phoenix, revitalized and growing, transforming damaged areas into modern and beautiful outdoor public art galleries.  Enjoy ample free time for independent shopping and exploring, and/or lunch on your own at a café or restaurant of your choosing.

After your day of exploration in Christchurch, re-board your coach and enjoy a short commentary tour of the city centre by the Driver/ Guide during the approximately 1.75-hour drive back to the pier.

Spend a half-day discovering the secrets of preparing Akaroan cuisine during this fun-filled and informative cooking class at the Akaroa Cooking School.

Akaroa Cooking School

Depart the pier for the short walk to the Akaroa Cooking School. Upon arrival, meet Lou or Ant Bentley, your instructor for the day. The class showcases a number of outstanding dishes using only locally-caught fish and shellfish purchased from a local fisherman at the end of the wharf; just seconds from the cooking school. The dishes are complemented with a bounty of fantastic local produce available on Banks Peninsula, including the country's best olive oils, local honey, nuts, and fresh organic fruits and vegetables.

Refreshment, Cooking Class with Lou or Ant Bentley, Lunch

After a snack of tea or coffee served with freshly-baked pastries, your class begins with a lesson on how to source great fresh seafood, what to look out for when buying fish, diverse cooking techniques, cooking shellfish, and how to store your fish after purchasing or catching it. Next, you will witness the preparation of the seafood dishes, which are served for lunch following the class. Each dish is matched with award-winning local wines that are also available for purchase.

At the conclusion of your cooking class, time is made available for shopping in scenic Akaroa before commencing the short walk back to the pier.

Discover why Akaroa is renowned for its fine Merino sheep and champion sheepdogs during this panoramic, half-day sightseeing excursion to Manderley Farm.

Akaroa Harbour, Banks Peninsula, Bays, Lake Forsyth, Manderley Farm, Historic Farmhouse

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 45-minute drive to Manderley Farm. Along the way, skirt the bays bordering historic Akaroa Harbour. The Banks Peninsula was formed by three massive volcanic eruptions occurring millennia ago. Upon arrival at Lake Forsyth, head for a visit to the Manderley Farm, an approximately 750-acre (about 303.5-hectare) working sheep farm renowned for its Merino sheep and champion sheepdogs.

Collies, Herding Demonstration, Gardens, Tea, Home-Baked Goods, Little River, Hilltop Lookout

Upon arrival, take in a captivating demonstration of herding skills performed by the farm's prized collies, then proceed for tea served with home-baked specialities in the landscaped gardens of this fully-restored homestead. Following your visit, re-board your coach for the approximately 45-minute drive back to the pier. En route, pass through the small township of Little River and by the Hilltop Lookout.

Experience the wonder of visiting a private coastal farm reserve where a large breeding colony of Canterbury's unique Korora (Little Penguins) has enjoyed decades of protection thanks to the ongoing commitment of one very eco-attuned family.

Departing from Akaroa Wharf by 4x4 transport, take in some 45 minutes of breathtaking scenery along Banks Peninsula back country roads to reach Pohatu Bay – stopping to savor stunning photo vantage points along the way.

Once at the farm, you’ll be warmly welcomed by a flock of rare NZ sheep breeds – and a conservationist/guide with years of experience safeguarding Pohatu’s resident White-Flippered Penguins, the largest Australasian Little Penguin colony extant on mainland New Zealand.

During a fascinating 45-minute guided walk & talk, they’ll share their stories and generations-old local knowledge – and, best of all, lead you on an inspection tour of the colony’s nesting sites. Plus offer the rare opportunity to observe Little Penguins as they socialize on the water undisturbed by your presence, using the binoculars and telescope on hand within the farm’s hides.

A brief property walk back toward your vehicle reveals other native NZ fauna, such as fur seals and seabirds of several species. The return drive to Akaroa affords a chance to contemplate all you’ve learned about the life of a penguin and to fully digest the privilege of communing up close with these charismatic animals.

Akaroa Harbour, the flooded crater of an extinct volcano, is the ideal setting for an adventure that will have you swimming with some of the world's smallest and rarest dolphins. Grab your swimsuit and towel and set off for what may prove to be the highlight of your trip. This half-day active excursion features stunning scenery and the chance to swim with the Hector's or New Zealand Dolphin.

Scenic Views, Local Wildlife

Step aboard a modern vessel and skim along scenic Banks Peninsula. Formed millions of years ago by the Lyttelton and Akaroa volcanoes, this dramatic landform is dotted with 500-foot-high cliffs, plunging palm-fringed gullies, and ancient lava flows in pink, purple and red. It shelters an equally stunning marine mammal sanctuary and a rich population of Hector's dolphin, yellow-eyed penguin, white-flippered penguin and the New Zealand fur seal.

Safety Briefing, Gear Fitting, Cruise & Swim, Hot Shower

Learn all about the region and enjoy up close views of abundant wildlife as your skipper guides his vessel to the best viewing areas. Your adventure includes approximately two hours of cruising with up to 45 minutes in the water with dolphins and all equipment is provided including wetsuits and mask and a hot shower afterwards.

Hector's Dolphins

Dolphins, along with whales and porpoises, are descendants of terrestrial mammals which entered the water roughly 50 million years ago. New Zealand, the only home of the rare Hector's dolphin designated Akaroa Harbour as its first marine mammal sanctuary in 1988. The boundaries were extended in 2008 and the preserve now reaches beyond Banks Peninsula to include coasts to the north and south and 12 nautical miles off-shore. Thanks to both public and community conservation work, dolphin numbers continue to rise.

Experience the spectacular coastal scenery and marine life along the Banks Peninsula during this panoramic, half-day sailing excursion on Akaroa Bay.

Akaroa Harbour Cruise

Depart the pier aboard the Fox II, New Zealand's oldest gaff-rigged ketch with authentic rigging, two wooden masts, six genuine handmade tanbark sails, real copper fastenings, and authentic wooden blocks. You won't see any winches or gears on this vessel; it is sailed in the traditional way.

Sea Cliffs, Caves and Rock Formations, Banks Peninsula, Dolphins, Penguins, Seals, Seabirds

Cruise the waters of Akaroa Harbour, which occupies the blown-out crater of an extinct volcano and is surrounded by giant volcanic sea cliffs, caves and rock formations. You can relax and unwind, soak up the sun, sea, hills and coastal scenery of the Banks Peninsula, or take part in sailing the vessel as one of the crew. In addition, you may see some of the abundant marine life and bird species that call these waters home, including Hector's dolphins, yellow-eyed and blue penguins, New Zealand fur seals, albatross, and other sea birds.

Your tour concludes back at the pier.