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Visit Akaroa | Bookme's Travel Guide for Akaroa, New Zealand

Visit Akaroa | Bookme's Travel Guide for Akaroa, New Zealand

Visit Akaroa

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Travel info & tips for Akaroa, New Zealand

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Welcome to Akaroa, a charming seaside town nestled in the stunning Banks Peninsula of New Zealand. This page is your ultimate guide to the vibrant range of experiences and fun activities that Akaroa has to offer. Whether you're seeking adventure, wildlife encounters, or simply immersing yourself in the beauty of nature, we have just the thing for you. From exhilarating kayaking and boat tours, to scenic hikes and unforgettable encounters with Hector's dolphins, there's no shortage of exciting options to choose from. Get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey in Akaroa!

Amazing deals and great things to do near Akaroa, New Zealand

AKAROA to Christchurch - BUS Service (One Way) 570 meters away

20%
$36.00 Save up to $9.00

Sea-kayaking Safari - Pohatu Penguins 576 meters away

46%
$68.00 Save up to $57.00

Akaroa Guided Sea Kayak Safaris 643 meters away

49%
$68.90 Save up to $66.10

Sailing & Dolphin Watch Tour - 3 Hours - Akaroa Harbour 659 meters away

46%
$67.00 Save up to $58.00

Akaroa - Harbour Nature Cruise - Black Cat Cruises 1km away

8%
$109.00 Save up to $10.00

Discover Akaroa, New Zealand's Best Experiences, Curated by Travelers Like You

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AKAROA to Christchurch - BUS Service (One Way)

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Check the itinery with the driver
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Check the itinery with the driver

As told by the driver, it didn't go birding flat (one of the place stated in itinery) nowadays because not many people interested with this place. However, he still drives us there on the way back upon requested. So you may check with the driver if you want to go there.

Evening Penguin Tour - Pohatu Penguins

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Best of the best
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Best of the best

One of the best experiences ever. Highly recommended to everyone.

Evening Penguin Tour - Pohatu Penguins

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Great experience for penguin lovers
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Great experience for penguin lovers

Friendly and knowledgeable guides. We got to see penguins molting and swimming. We also saw a penguin who used to be sick and malnourished being released back into the wild after being nurtured and brought back into health. Overall great experience!

Sea-kayaking Safari - Pohatu Penguins

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Bucket list experience
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Bucket list experience

Thoroughly enjoyable experience. Friendly, knowledgeable guides. Ben was ours and was great. Beautiful trip over the hill from Akaroa with photo stops. Kayaking on Flea Bay was beautiful, saw seals and penguins and learned so much.

Sailing & Dolphin Watch Tour - 3 Hours - Akaroa Harbour

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Sailing and Dolphins
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Sailing and Dolphins

Great experience, Sabrina the deckhand was helpful and made sure we were all comfortable and the captain was very knowledgeable about the Akaroa history, we went out to sea and the engine stopped and the music started and soon we had hector dolphins playing around the boat for at least 15mins it was great.

Akaroa Guided Sea Kayak Safaris

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Happy time kayaking and best way to spot details!
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Happy time kayaking and best way to spot details!

Joey was a fantastic guide. He was knowledgeable about the local geology and wild life. We enjoyed his jokes and eye for spotting details (fun to know you can brew beer from the roots of the cabbage palm.) Exploring by kayak is the best way to appreciate the details of this unique ecosystem and support it by making a sustainable transport choice! Super fun time paddling!

Akaroa Guided Sea Kayak Safaris

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Fantastique!
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Fantastique!

The view was absolutely gorgeous, and kayaking was great fun, we got to see different animals and especially a dolphin right in front of our eyes! On top of all that, what a knowledgeable, funny and handsome guy to give us the tour! He even took many photos and sent us through emails (such as the second photo). The only thing I could think of for the company is getting a better camera so people would love the photos even more? (My phone took better photos (1st and 3rd) than the camera.)

Akaroa Guided Sea Kayak Safaris

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Fun on the Harbour
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Fun on the Harbour

Our guide, Jake, was great. Clear kickstart instructions or refresher info for sea kayak basics. Then straight out on the tour. Jake excelled at explaining the terrain encountered by way of geology, flora and fauna factoids along the way. On the way back we got to get in a pretty good work out with a continuous paddle back to our starting point. Jake then stayed for a bit chatting and giving us tips on lunch spots and after lunch hiking ideas. Thoroughly recommend kayaking with Jake!

Akaroa Guided Sea Kayak Safaris

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Akaroa kayaking experience
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Akaroa kayaking experience

Amazing experience and guide also fantastic Recommend all🥰

Akaroa Guided Sea Kayak Safaris

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Fantastic family fun
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Fantastic family fun

Family fun - great guides - knowledgeable about area

Akaroa Guided Sea Kayak Safaris

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WOW!
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WOW!

Absolutely amazing!! We saw so many dolphins who came right to our kayak and even bumoed into one :) And we saw penguins!! It is a must-do in Akaroa and totally worth it! We've been kayaking for 3.5 hrs. I had no experience but it was easy and our guides explained it very patiently. I did it on my own and was scared to be left out, but within 10 minutes you know the whole group and everyone was really nice. I'd do it again immediately!

Sailing & Dolphin Watch Tour - 3 Hours - Akaroa Harbour

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Great Afternoon
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Great Afternoon

We loved this sailing trip! Lots of information on the history of Akaroa and the harbour. Loved seeing the dolphins and other critters. A great way to see the Harbour and spend a few hours relaxing. Cathedral cave was beautiful!!!

Sailing & Dolphin Watch Tour - 3 Hours - Akaroa Harbour

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It was simply amazing!!!
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It was simply amazing!!!

The journey was informative with amazing view. We saw dolphins, seal and other wild life. The Captain shared some local history which made me appreciate the journey even more. I highly recommend this activity if you are going to Akaroa.

Sailing & Dolphin Watch Tour - 3 Hours - Akaroa Harbour

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South Island highlight
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South Island highlight

This was the absolute highlight of our three week trip to the South Island over Christmas and New Year 2022/23. We booked a couple of weeks in advance, but on getting to Christchurch the forecast for Saturday was for heavy rain. A quick phone call to Roy saw our booking rebooked the next morning. On arrival we were warmly greeted and welcomed aboard. Roy explained the plan and the kids were fitted out with life jackets as the small boat size means we're up close to the water and the wildlife. Once clear of the harbour, the crew cut the engines and unfurled the sails, allowing us to sail alongside and up close with the friendly Hector's Dolphin living in Akaroa harbour. The dolphins were easy to spot from the small boat and came incredibly close, to the delight of all on board. Apart from the dolphins, we saw lots of other wildlife such as blue penguin and baby seals. Fox II's small size allowed us to get close to cliff arches and in to sea caves on the sail home. The small passenger complement coupled with the century old boat and the excellent and knowledgeable crew made the day stand out. I'm sure it offers a very different experience to the massive high speed catamarans who overtook us on the sail, yet I counted 67 people disembark the dolphin spotting catamaran later in the afternoon, but it just seemed to lack the small and personal touch. Extra thanks to the crew for spotting that my mother's hat blew off at one point, turning the boat around and scooping it out. We thought the hat was with the dolphins. Thanks crew for a very special day that all of our party are still buzzing about. Highly recommended!

Sailing & Dolphin Watch Tour - 3 Hours - Akaroa Harbour

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Absolutely Fabulous
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Absolutely Fabulous

My second time on the Fox II. Such a good trip. Nice and intimate with only about 20 people on the boat. Lots of wildlife. This trip was quite different to the first one. Because the sea was really calm this time we got to sail much further out. Your lasted a good 4 hours so definitely worth the money.

Sailing & Dolphin Watch Tour - 3 Hours - Akaroa Harbour

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Fox II was Fabulous!!
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Fox II was Fabulous!!

My husband and I had a wonderful time on the FoxII Ketch. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The Skippers narration throughout was supurb, so informative, and entertaining. We learnt so much. It was magical when the motors were turned off and we were under sail. The Hector Dolphins were delightful and the many bird and sealife varieties were amazing. The highlight for us was sailing in the cave area, and the amazing music was just something we will never forget! This is one trip you will never regret.

Sailing & Dolphin Watch Tour - 3 Hours - Akaroa Harbour

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Beautiful day out on Akaroa harbour
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Beautiful day out on Akaroa harbour

Absolutely stunning morning out on the water, very informative captain, we learnt loads! And saw everything we came to see.

Sailing & Dolphin Watch Tour - 3 Hours - Akaroa Harbour

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Amazing experience
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Amazing experience

One should definitely visit atleast once. It is so amazing to watch the dolphins swimming next to your boat. Sadly even though they mentioned about complimentary drinks and snacks they dont provide one. When you ask them, they say the stock is empty. Hence I have given one star less.

Sailing & Dolphin Watch Tour - 3 Hours - Akaroa Harbour

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Fantastic boat trip
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Fantastic boat trip

The crew were friendly and nothing was too much trouble. The captain had excellent knowledge of the history of the area. He also knew how to entice the dolphins to come to the boat.

Sailing & Dolphin Watch Tour - 3 Hours - Akaroa Harbour

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Best day out
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Best day out

What a way to see nature at its best with the wind in your hair. I highly recommend this tour it has everything for both young and old to enjoy!

Sailing & Dolphin Watch Tour - 3 Hours - Akaroa Harbour

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Absolutely wonderful experience!!
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Absolutely wonderful experience!!

Had an unforgettable experience. Very knowable tour, learnt heaps about the area and it's history! Saw many Hectors dolphins along with seals, albatross and other wildlife. Would absolutely do again if in Akaroa

Sailing & Dolphin Watch Tour - 3 Hours - Akaroa Harbour

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Delightful tour
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Delightful tour

Highly recommended tour. The ketch is beautiful, the crew knowledgeable, the dolphins plentiful. As Christchurch locals we assumed the promised new information would be old hat to us, but the captain managed to surprise us and we learned a lot. After the tour we went for the walk up the Onawe Pa site the captain had recommended: also well worth it.

Sailing & Dolphin Watch Tour - 3 Hours - Akaroa Harbour

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Great Akaroa trip
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Great Akaroa trip

If you want to explore the water, history, dolphins & seals around Akaroa. This is the trip to book. Roy is very informative and the crew do their best to give you the best sailing experience!

Sailing & Dolphin Watch Tour - 3 Hours - Akaroa Harbour

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Worthwhile experience
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Worthwhile experience

What a great experience. Staff were helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. It was great to be able to sail out of the harbour to the sea and experience the big ocean swells. Also got to get up nice and close to the cliffs and rocks in the harbour (who knew a big boat could get so close). Saw heaps of hector dolphins and to watch them dive through the water was incredible. Skipper also detoured into a bay get closer to some dolphins. Plenty of birds and seals were also seen up close too. Totally worth it!

Sailing & Dolphin Watch Tour - 3 Hours - Akaroa Harbour

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Awesome experience
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Awesome experience

Very simple: what a great time. Dolphins are amazing animals. Crew was great and boat as well.

Sailing & Dolphin Watch Tour - 3 Hours - Akaroa Harbour

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Unique experience with nature
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Unique experience with nature

Fantastic experience sailing and being so close to the unique wildlife of Akaroa Harbour- having the hector dolphins swim up was amazing. Make sure you pack a windbreaker as pretty windy on the open water. Crew lovely and lots of knowledge . I’ve done a few of the other nature trips in Akaroa with visitors and this was the best- having the experience of sailing , lying back watching the wild life in a small group made it very personal

Sailing & Dolphin Watch Tour - 3 Hours - Akaroa Harbour

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Awesome experience
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Awesome experience

Awesome morning out with Roy and the two girls…very informative and bubbly trio. Lucky to have seen hector dolphins and orca’s! ❤️

Akaroa Shuttle - Christchurch To Akaroa - Return

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A
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A

Beautiful journey with a great driver.

Akaroa Shuttle - Christchurch To Akaroa - Return

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Easy way to look around small pretty town!
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Easy way to look around small pretty town!

The driver is kind and friendly. And we got enought time to look around whole city! It’s really good!

Akaroa - Harbour Nature Cruise - Black Cat Cruises

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Awesome 👌
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Awesome 👌

Awesome cruise, Awesome day, great skipper and crew, overall enjoyed it very much.

Akaroa - Harbour Nature Cruise - Black Cat Cruises

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Beautiful scenery with awesome wildlife
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Beautiful scenery with awesome  wildlife

We had a wonderful couple of hours with black cat cruises, seeing hectors dolphins playing in their natural habitat, saw nz fur seals, shags and a little blue penguin swimming in the sea. The kids haven't stopped talking about how much fun they had!

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