Enjoy a Sightseeing tour to Akaroa through the spectacular scenery surrounding Banks Peninsula, formed following violent eruptions of two ancient volcanoes. The Akaroa crater nurses the picturesque harbor and Akaroa village. Experience a Nature Cruise with highlights including the rare, NZ native dolphin - the Hector's Dolphin, as well as penguins and other sea birds. And you'll see giant volcanic sea cliffs and hear about Akaroa's fascinating past. The Tour also includes a delightful lunch at Bully Hayes Restaurant.
Following a morning pickup by air-conditioned coach from your Christchurch hotel, head out along the road to Akaroa to begin your tour. Pass scenic local highlights such as Governor’s Bay, Gebbies Pass, Lake Ellesmere, Lake Forsyth and Little River, and capture the country’s breath-taking beauty on camera, travel over the beautiful Banks Peninsula, formed following violent eruptions of two ancient volcanoes. The aptly named "Hill Top" gives glorious views of Akaroa Harbor & the remote bays and farmlands. The Akaroa crater nurses the picturesque harbor and Akaroa village, the only French settlement established in New Zealand.
Visit the Barry's Bay Cheese Factory for a cheese tasting of locally made cheeses, the only remaining cheese factory on the peninsula from a bygone era. Next you can enjoy the quaint colonial architecture and wander around the charming 150 year old French harbor side village of Akaroa with its museum of settlers' history, art and craft shops and studios and al fresco cafes and wine bars.
Lunch at the popular Bully Hayes Restaurant nestled in the Akaroa Village, In the afternoon enjoy a 2 hour nature and harbor cruise on the Canterbury Cat, you'll experience a rich variety of marine and bird life in their natural habitat, including the unique and playful Hector's dolphins, as you hear about Akaroa’s fascinating past. The Hector's Dolphin is the world's smallest oceanic dolphin.
In the late-afternoon, hop back aboard your coach for the drive back to your Christchurch hotel, where your tour will come to an end.
Hermoso paseo, paisajes divinos. El guia muy ameno. El paseo en barco el pico de la excursion con la vista de los delfines.
Review by: Jacqueline A, April 2018
This tour was fantastic! We had a delightful day in Akaroa to include a delicious lunch, time to walk around the town, and a delightful boat ride along the coast and back into the harbor.
Loved this tour! Cally was wonderful, upbeat and full of good information. We saw fur seals, albatross and blue penguins on the boat trip. Lunch at Bully Hayes was delicious and we had plenty of time to eat as well as explore Akoroa. A perfect day!
Review by: Richard P, February 2018
Although the weather was rainy, the Driver/Commentator was great. She kept us well informed of the areas we drove through. She accomodated us by making an additional short stop in the french section of Akaroa. With the cancellation of the boat due to the poor weather conditions, she was able to make alternative schedule by going to the Antarctic Museum.
Review by: Nathaniel K, January 2018
Unfortunately it was raining, windy, and cold. And this was a summer day. Activity is weather dependent. Inspite of the weather, I still enjoyed the sites: the greenery, the towering cliffs, the cathedral domed cave, and the ocean. The marine life was awesome: Hector dolphins, fur seals, and penguins. A sunny and calm day would have made this a perfect excursion.
Review by: Inacio R, January 2018
It was a lovely day. Our driver Sue took as to many beautiful places of the region and the boat ride was amazing, not just because of the dolphins and other animals but also because the sea and the mountains of Akaroa are very special.
Review by: Jennifer S, January 2018
The tour started with a beautiful drive through the plains and hills from Christchurch to Akaroa. Our driver-guide Scotty was amazing -- so informative about the area and what we were seeing along the way! Even though it was a holiday, we were still able to stop at Barry's Bay Cheese Factory, see a video of the cheese making process, sample some of the cheeses, and make our purchases. The free time in small sea-side town of Akaroa provided enough time to visit the shops and enjoy a walk along the harbor shore. Lunch at Bully Hayes was good but nothing special -- there were other dining options nearby that would have been just as good if not better. The harbor cruise was the highlight of the tour. Andrew, the driver-guide on the boat, provided informative as well as humorous commentary through the cruise. We saw lots of Hector's dolphins, and they swam right up to the boat -- some even swam right along the side of the boat! We also saw some fur seals and several sea birds. On the return drive, Scotty took us on a different route back to Christchurch, along the top of the hills/mountains surrounding the Akaroa bays -- the views were absolute beautiful! I would highly recommend this tour it's a great way to see the beauty of the area southeast of Christchurch and experience seeing the rare Hector's dolphins!
Review by: Terri S, December 2017
This was ok, but was a replacement for a 4-wheeling tour that did not take place. I've been on these types of cruises before and was looking forward to something different. We did see many dophins and a couple of penguins. Although there were so many people on the side of the boat where the penguins were, that I never saw them.
Review by: Teresa W, August 2017
Ride from Christchurch was scenic. The boat ride was beautiful and the view of Hector's dolphins was fantastic. Highly recommend!
Review by: wnchofer, July 2017
Wonderful experience, we were able to see the penguins and seals.
Review by: RENETTA A, May 2017
Lovely tour! Akaroa Village is beautiful. The lunch in town was delicious! The only downside to the tour was the cheese making tour. it's more like a stop at a cheese store with a couple of tastings and chances to purchase cheese. they weren't in production and you don't get to see cheese being made.
Review by: Anne S, March 2017
The trip to Akaroa by mini van was an enjoyable trip, we were the only passengers on the trip and the driver was very informative. The mist obscured a lot of the views as it was still quite early in the morning. _br/_ The stop at the cheese factory was a pleasant experience and we bought cheese to have that evening and to take home. This proved an easy experience as long as the cheese is not opened._br/_ On arrival at Akaroa we discovered that a cruise liner was in town and this made the area quite busy. We strolled around the main area of town and visited the historic church. It is worth the visit as it is a small chapel with a lot of history._br/_ Having a beautiful lunch was easy at Bully Hayes as all was booked and ready for us, even with the crowd from the cruise. _br/_ We boarded the Black Cat cruise quite easily and enjoyed the crew who showed skill in putting us in areas that produced Dolphins, Seals and beautiful sights._br/_ On the return journey our driver took a different route so that we were able to take magnificent photos of the harbour and scenery._br/_ All in all a wonderful day and worth the effort to take in.
Review by: Kevin G, March 2017
If it's raining the day you go, cancel. They drop you off in Akaroa and then leave you to yourself for 2 hours. This wouldn't be that big of a deal, except it was pouring that day. There is absolutely nothing to do in Akaroa except go in the gift shops when it's raining. _br/_ The forecast had been calling for rain for 3 days, so there was ample time to cancel the tour. They sent us to the Antarctic Center instead, but not until we'd spent 5 rainy hours driving.
Review by: John M, February 2017
Really excellent trip on the Black Cat in Akaroa Habour with sightings of seals, penguins, dolphins and many others.
Review by: regina, December 2016
Great tour. The driver/guide was wonderful the boat trip was amazing - we saw fur seal cubs, dolphins, and little blue penguins. I would recommend this to anyone going to Akaroa.
Review by: Lynne C, December 2016
The travel organiser did not have the minimum numbers required, but organised an excellent alternative. The bus driver was very pleasant, chatty and informative, but did not overdo the commentary. The included meal was generous and fresh and selected from a set menu. The boat trip was well managed with a knowledgeable commentary, and due to the calm weather the boat was able to leave the heads and show us interesting rock formations as well as many seals. The Hector dolphins were busy in the harbor and we had plenty of opportunity to watch them, but photographing them was tricky. I would have liked more time to spend looking around Akaroa, but I still walked along the sea front and did some shopping.
Review by: Richard C D, December 2016
Traveled by motor coach to Akaroa. Stopped at a cheese factory which unfortunately was not producing cheese that day. Akaroa is a small quaint city with reasonably goo tourist shopping. Included in tour optional was lunch at Bully Hayes which was excellent. The real attraction of this tour was the boat trip through Akaroa Harbor. We saw seals, dolphins, and jelly fish. Once we were among the dolphins the crew manuvered the boat to stay with the dolphins. Also brought us within feet of the cliffs to see the seals. Had previously entered Akaroa harbor on a cruise ship and never noticed what we saw on the tour boat.
Review by: Claudia L, November 2016
The tour guide of our small group was more than wonderful. She was funny and shared lots if informations and insights with us. It's so great to have a tour guide who is still amazed by what she shows us. She went on the nature trip with us and was excited as we were when we saw a huge group of dolphins playing right next to the boat, as well as a penguin and lots of seals. Highly recommended!
Review by: david e, May 2016
Could not hear the bus driver telling all the history and interesting items along the way - very frustrating !
Review by: pattid, April 2016
The town of Akaroa is quaint and charming and our boat ride was fun. Thankfully the boat was not overly crowded as we ran around the edges trying to see the Hector Dolphins and other wildlife. The van ride was less enjoyable. Our driver was nice but tended to mumble and was difficult to hear at times, especially without his microphone set on and perhaps partly due to the noisy older van reason only 4 stars. Everything went according to plan, unfortunately we did not see any whales or sharks and only a few Dolphins, but it was fun being out on the water. The tour forgot to tell the restaurant, Bully Hays, about dietary issues, but they were accommodating and friendly.
Review by: John N, March 2016
Great trip with a very good driver/tour guide. Enjoyed driving thru Banks Peninsula, as well as visiting Akaroa. Harbor tour was the icing on the cake
Review by: John N, February 2016
We had an excellent driver/tour guide, and the combination of a beautiful through the Banks Peninsula and our visit to Akora made for a very good day. The harbor trip was spectacular.
Review by: Nathan D, January 2016
The countryside scenery was beautiful and enjoyable. A great place to visit for the day.
Review by: Rachel P, January 2016
Good coach driver, lunch was tasty, Akaroa was great to walk around and a great way to see more of the countryside.
Review by: Judith H, December 2015
Akaroa is beautiful. Really enjoyed the cruise too.
Review by: kathysapp, December 2015
A rather long drive with some beautiful scenery along the way. Great lunch. Loved the boat ride!
Review by: SUNILDATT S, November 2015
Very good location and amenities. However, reception timing needs to increase from the present level for better customer service.
Review by: Marianne B, November 2015
I loved the bus and habor boat trip to Akaroa. Being disabled and use a walker and my bus driver Shane was wonderful and so helpful and went over and above to make my day very special. The Black Cat Harbor boat staff both at the officegift shop and crew worked very hard to be sure I enjoyed everything. Anyone looking for a wonderful day trip to a beautiful area and the ability to see the New Zealand fur seals, Hector dolphins and the highlight was seeing the Little Penquins swimming in the water. Also seeing the many sea birds and the volcanic cliffs were such an amazing addition to this day tour.
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