Christchurch, South Island

Dolphin
Black Cat Cruises 4

Black Cat Akaroa Harbour – swimming with Hectors dolphins.

Black Cat Cruises 3

Black Cat Cruises – Akaroa Main Wharf

Black Cat Cruises 2

Black Cat - Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise

black cat akaroa harbour

Black Cat - Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise

Black Cat Cruises 1

Take a cruise around an extinct volcanic crater and experience majestic scenery and stunning wildlife with Black Cat's Akaroa Harbour Cruises.

Black Cat - Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise

Take a cruise around an extinct volcanic crater and experience majestic scenery and stunning wildlife with Black Cat's Akaroa Harbour Cruises.   Ideal for all ages - children and adults just love to watch the antics of the playful Hector's Dolphins - the world's smallest and rarest dolphin.  Look out for penguins and other sea birds, view the giant, volcanic sea cliffs and hear about Akaroa's fascinating past.  Fancy taking a closer look?  Come swim with the Hector's Dolphins!   This is an absolutely unforgettable, and safe experience.

Akaroa Harbour Cruise

Cruise around an extinct volcanic crater and experience majestic scenery and stunning wildlife on daily harbour cruises.  Packed with highlights including the rare Hector's Dolphin as well as penguins and other sea birds.

The vessel is the largest and most luxurious on the harbour. There's lots of space on the 2 decks for unimpeded viewing and there's plenty of covered seating. Inside there's a bar and toilets. The vessels have high rails, however we suggest that children are supervised at all times both for their own safety and for the enjoyment of the other people on board. We also suggest warm clothes, a hat and sun screen lotion. Snacks including chips and soft drinks are available on board.

Prices: Adult $109, Child $49 (Child is 5-15, under 5s go FREE) 

FAMILY DEAL! 

Just $269  for 2 adults + up to 3 children!

Save up to $96 with this fantastic familiy deal, plus a dolphin guarantee!

For conditions and more detailed trip information on Black Cat Akaroa Harbour Cruise click here.

Swimming with Dolphins

We can offer you an incredible safe experience with a great dolphin guarantee.  Like a lot of adults, children love dolphins and swimming with them can be an unforgettable experience. The minimum age is 8 years old and children should be fit and confident swimmers; they will be close to the boat but obviously will be in water over their heads! Wetsuits help to keep them floating without effort, and your guide will provide a surfboard if necessary, and keep a very close eye on them. If you have your own wetsuit please bring it along although we have some children's wetsuits available too.  If you have young preschool age children, they can come out in the boat too. We suggest that while one person is swimming your partner is looking after the children, and then swap over at half time. If you are travelling alone, sorry we do not have child care facilities - we suggest a dolphin watching cruise.
Note: you will be floating in the water and will be required to swim to and from the boat - distances up to 50 meters (150 feet) at a time. With correct parental supervision and good sea conditions staff may reconsider the minimum age  if space is available.  Please bring a swimming costume and towel.
For more on Black Cat Cruises Swimming with the Dolphins click here.

Freephone: 0800 436 574

Black Cat specials and family adventures

We have many great activities and specials running for families, both in Akaroa and out of Lyttelton.
See more of our Black Cat specials here >>

Map of New Zealand
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Our favourite destinations…

Auckland

New Zealand’s economic heart and biggest city is also an exciting family visitor destination, situated on a sunny harbour with city beaches just minutes away from the CBD. Orientate yourself by heading down to Viaduct Harbour, wandering the waterfront, checking out the super yachts or enjoying the waterfront restaurants. Nearby is the must-visit Sky Tower along with excellent and kid-friendly museums and tons of exciting activities!

Wellington

Wellington is New Zealand’s capital. Here you will find New Zealand's parliament buildings, including the 'Executive Wing', more well-known as 'The Beehive' due to its distinctive shape. Another icon to look out for is the Wellington Tram, which was the main means of public transport between 1878 and 1964.

Christchurch

With a population of around 400,000 Christchurch, in Canterbury, is the South Island ’s largest city, yet much of it has the feel of a small town. Perhaps that’s why it’s known as the Garden City but with the expansive Hagley Park, Botanic Gardens, Port Hills, River Avon and numerous beaches the city certainly has an open, relaxed feel that’s hard to beat.

Queenstown

With its well-deserved reputation as New Zealand’s activity adventure capital you’ll never run out of activities and things to do in Queenstown, but you may run out of time! With breathtaking scenery, activities and festivals, cafes and restaurants, skiing and snowboarding, shopping and wineries, this lakeside alpine resort rates as one of the world’s top vacation destinations for all ages and seasons.

Rotorua

Rotorua sits on the shore of Lake Rotorua, one of sixteen lakes in the area formed by hundreds of thousands of years of eruptions from the Taupo Volcanic Zone. The area is renowned for its geothermal activity and top of any activity list is to see the bubbling mud pools that are around the region for yourself. The Waimangu Volcanic Valley offers a first hand insight into the devastation caused by the 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera and is a great place to discover steaming volcanic craters and bubbling, spitting  pools of mud!

Nelson and Golden Bay

The Nelson and Golden Bay regions, at the top of the South Island, boast enviable sunshine hours, glorious sandy beaches, safe swimming spots, lots of wildlife to look out for, and Abel Tasman National Park - an absolute must to explore, on foot, by kayak, your own craft or watertaxi.  Nelson is home to a vibrant arts and crafts community with a fabulous Saturday market, and is close to award-winning wineries and family-friendly bike tracks to take you around the coast.

Hawkes Bay

Napier was rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake and is now known as NZ's Art Deco City.  The Art Deco influence has created a unique city – nowhere else can you see such a varied concentration of art deco style. With over 2,200 sunshine hours a year, Napier is a year-round holiday destination with countless activities to entertain the kids – there's days of entertainment on Marine Parade alone, plus numerous other family-friendly trips and activities.  Add to that the beaches, walks and flat cycle paths, outdoor cafes and entertainment, and you have a perfect holiday destination!

Northland

Beautiful, unspoiled beaches, fishing, historic gum fields, kauri forests – the Far North has it all. With subtropical temperatures, it's often known as ‘the Winterless north', with warm, humid summers and mild winters.
Gateway to the Bay of Islands, Paihia is a pretty, lively beachside town and a perfect base for your family holiday. It’s your start point for Bay of Island adventures including day cruises, sailing, kayaking, swimming with dolphins and reef or wreck diving.