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Southern Wanderer - Akaroa Scenic Wildlife Cruises

4.9

157

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Join Southern Wanderer for an unforgettable early morning or midday cruise along Akaroa's picturesque Banks Peninsula coast!

Highlights

Small groups of 8 passengers max allowing for a more private cruise
Enjoy the sailing and viewing the spectacular views of the Akaroa Harbour.
Encounter a unique range of wildlife.
Enjoy friendly conversation with our family crew - we love answering your questions
100% local New Zealand family owned and operated

A haven for wildlife and boasting wonderful photography opportunities, Banks Peninsula is an absolute must-see for anyone in the region. Our sailing vessel is a 33-foot MRX yacht. The yacht sails very well and is responsive, making this tour a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly way to enjoy Akaroa Harbour.

We’ll uncover dramatic views of the peninsula’s volcanic formations, spectacular cliffs, caves and coastal scenery. Throughout the cruise, we’ll pass sites of national historic significance and discuss events that helped shape New Zealand as a British colony in the 19th century.

We carry a maximum of 8 passengers, ensuring your trip is a personalised and uncrowded experience. Your friendly and highly experienced skipper and guide have an abundance of knowledge about the area and will share this with you along the way.

If you have any specific points of interest please let us know as we do our best to tailor the trips to suit the interests of our passengers.

You won't want to leave Akaroa without doing this cruise!

Looking for a smaller unique tour? Check out the Private Group Tour here!

Per Person $95.00 (15+ years)

What's included

Easy to use binoculars are available to all passengers

Duration

Approximately 2.5 hours

Location

Main Wharf
Beach Road
Akaroa
Canterbury

Restrictions

Minimum age: 15
For safety reasons a basic understanding of English is mandatory for all passengers on our cruises.
No previous sailing experience is required.
Passengers must have a good level of mobility.

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

Meeting Location: Main Wharf, Beach Road, Akaroa, Canterbury
Departures: Morning departure is at 9.00am, afternoon departure is at 12.00pm (the later trip allows connection with shuttle services for a day-trip from Christchurch).
Check-In Time: Please make sure to arrive at the meeting place, at the far end of the blue building on the main wharf, at least 15 minutes prior to departure.
Please Note: Our trips are approximately 2.5 hours duration, allow a little longer for the complete experience. Please let us know when boarding if you have a particular time constraint.
Passengers must have a good level of mobility.
Passengers must be 15 years of age or older.
Trips are weather dependent and require a minimum of 4 persons booked to proceed.

Available Bookings from 1 Jul to 14 Jul 2025

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Change Dates

9:00 a.m.

12:00 p.m.

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Per Person$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!

Per Person$95.00

Per Person$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!

Per Person$75.00 Less than 6 at this price!

Per Person$65.00 Less than 6 at this price!

Per Person$75.00 Less than 6 at this price!

Per Person$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!

Per Person$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!

Per Person$95.00

Per Person$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!

Per Person$75.00 Less than 6 at this price!

Per Person$65.00 Less than 6 at this price!

Per Person$75.00 Less than 6 at this price!

Per Person$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!

Per Person$65.00 Less than 6 at this price!

Per Person$75.00

Per Person$75.00 Less than 6 at this price!

Per Person$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!

Per Person$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!

Per Person$75.00 Less than 6 at this price!

Per Person$95.00

Per Person$65.00 Less than 6 at this price!

Per Person$75.00 Less than 6 at this price!

Per Person$75.00 Less than 6 at this price!

Per Person$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!

Per Person$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!

Per Person$75.00 Less than 6 at this price!

Per Person$95.00

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

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4.9

157 reviews

Southern Wanderer - Akaroa Scenic Wildlife Cruises

Showing all 157 authenticated Bookme reviews

Norbert from Germany wrote on 07 November 2019

Sehr empfehlenswert

Wir hatten einen wunderschönen Bootstrip mit John und seinem Sohn. Sehr informativ. Wir haben Robben, Pinguine, Delfine und Albatrosse gesehen. Da auf dem Boot nur 8 Passagiere Platz haben ist es natürlich sehr individuell. Sehr zu empfehlen. @John: thanks a lot and warm regards Regina and Norbert

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LAURA G from Germany wrote on 24 February 2019

Fantastisch

Man muss zugeben, wir hatten sehr viel Glück und mehr Delphine als üblich zu Gesicht bekommen und das Wetter war super. Aber auch die Geschichten der Veranstalter zu den Tieren und Orten haben die Fahrt toll untermalt.

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jils from Germany wrote on 14 February 2019

Toll!

Die Tour war super. Wer den Tourimassen in Akaroa entfliehen will ist hier genau richtig aufgehoben. Kleines Boot mit begrenzter Passagieranzahl (8 Personen). Super nette Guides, stoppen woimmer du willst. Haben Pinguine, Robben, Delfine & viele Vögel gesehen.

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Mina-Luise Othmer from Germany wrote on 10 February 2019

Echt toll!

Wir haben Delfine, Pinguine und Robben gesehen! Was will man mehr?

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andyl17 from New Zealand wrote on 14 January 2024

Sailing akaroa

Awesome experience - amazing wildlife. Well run excursion by a lovely couple

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Bookme Help Terms & Conditions Operators

10:00 a.m.Thursday 13 July

Per Person 15+ years

^*This option must be made together with another price type.

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