Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruises

Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruises - Black Cat Cruises

Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruises

Black Cat Cruises

58 Rankers Reviews

48 Face-to-Face

7 Dolphin Watching

7 Akaroa

Maps

Video

Photos

Cruise inside an extinct volcanic crater
View Hector's dolphins

Information

Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruises

Join tourism award winners - Black Cat Cruises on a 2 hour Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise, we are the largest most experienced cruise company in Akaroa.

The historic French village of Akaroa is 90 minutes drive from Christchurch. Here you can cruise around an extinct volcanic crater in the renowned Black Cat, a spacious comfortable catamaran with excellent viewing platforms. Experience majestic scenery and stunning wildlife including penguins and the rare New Zealand (Hector's) dolphin. Cruises depart daily from the Main Wharf, Akaroa.

Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

Black Cat Cruises

Commercial organisation

Location

South IslandCanterburyAkaroa

Categories

  • Activity__dolphin_watchingDolphin Watching
  • Activity__boat_cruisesBoat Cruises

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-43.8088037465967

172.961968936523

Latitude
-43.8088037465967
Longitude
172.961968936523

Reviews

    • Great cruise.
    • Very well organized, we sow dolphins and seals.
    • Very nice, kind guide.
    • Comfortable, exhilarating ride.
    • Excellent animal viewing and friendly staff.
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 14
    24%
    9/10 19
    33%
    8/10 14
    24%
    7/10 6
    10%
    6/10 0
    0%
    5/10 2
    3%
    4/10 1
    2%
    3/10 1
    2%
    2/10 0
    0%
    1/10 1
    2%
  • 5.0/5

    The team is so friendly and nice.

    Made sure to go above and beyond to make sure we had an amazing experience.

    Reviewed almost 3 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Very well organized, we sow dolphins and seals.

    Very cold day but we'll remember it. I'd recommend it.

    Reviewed over 6 years ago

    ITALY
    Stefano Clerici's avatar

    Stefano Clerici

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Comfortable, exhilarating ride.

    Complimentary drinks. Friendly, helpful staff. Interesting, reflective and informative commentary. The weather was against us for seeing penguins and dolphins but we loved the seals.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in February 2017

    UNITED KINGDOM
    Sue Milne's avatar

    Sue Milne

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Enthusiastic guides, very informative and made our experience lots of fun.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in February 2017

    Fran and Ben's avatar

    Fran and Ben

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    Dolphins, penguins, seals were seen on the boat tour, great waves.

    Guide made lots of jokes and was cool.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016

    GERMANY
    Patricia's avatar

    Patricia

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Fantastic boat trip in the harbour.

    Lots of wildlife and beautiful scenery.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016

    UNITED KINGDOM
    Ceri Eaton's avatar

    Ceri Eaton

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Black Cat is very professional and well run.

    We had an excellent wildlife experience. The boat did not have many passengers so it was very personal. We saw lots of dolphins and the boat was stopped and engines off so that they would come really close. We also saw fur seals and lots of birds. The skipper gave us an excellent and informative commentary on everything we saw, and answered questions we had. It was one of the top experiences of our NZ stay.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in January 2014

    UNITED KINGDOM
    JoMary Smith's avatar

    JoMary Smith

    Customer

  • 2.0/5

    Cruise with boat to explore animals (dolphins, seals, penguins etc....) Few animals seen during the cruise, few explanations and already $80 per person, quite a lot!

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014

    FRANCE
    Thomas Zilio's avatar

    Thomas Zilio

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Well organised and environmentally aware.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in March 2013

    GERMANY
    Marco Schmidt's avatar

    Marco Schmidt

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Had a lot of fun seeing many dolphins with very nice company and staff.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in March 2013

  • 5.0/5

    The team is so friendly and nice.

    Made sure to go above and beyond to make sure we had an amazing experience.

    Reviewed almost 3 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Very well organized, we sow dolphins and seals.

    Very cold day but we'll remember it. I'd recommend it.

    Reviewed over 6 years ago

    ITALY
    Stefano Clerici's avatar

    Stefano Clerici

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Enthusiastic guides, very informative and made our experience lots of fun.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in February 2017

    Fran and Ben's avatar

    Fran and Ben

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Comfortable, exhilarating ride.

    Complimentary drinks. Friendly, helpful staff. Interesting, reflective and informative commentary. The weather was against us for seeing penguins and dolphins but we loved the seals.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in February 2017

    UNITED KINGDOM
    Sue Milne's avatar

    Sue Milne

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    Dolphins, penguins, seals were seen on the boat tour, great waves.

    Guide made lots of jokes and was cool.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016

    GERMANY
    Patricia's avatar

    Patricia

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Fantastic boat trip in the harbour.

    Lots of wildlife and beautiful scenery.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016

    UNITED KINGDOM
    Ceri Eaton's avatar

    Ceri Eaton

    Customer

  • 2.0/5

    Cruise with boat to explore animals (dolphins, seals, penguins etc....) Few animals seen during the cruise, few explanations and already $80 per person, quite a lot!

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014

    FRANCE
    Thomas Zilio's avatar

    Thomas Zilio

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Black Cat is very professional and well run.

    We had an excellent wildlife experience. The boat did not have many passengers so it was very personal. We saw lots of dolphins and the boat was stopped and engines off so that they would come really close. We also saw fur seals and lots of birds. The skipper gave us an excellent and informative commentary on everything we saw, and answered questions we had. It was one of the top experiences of our NZ stay.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in January 2014

    UNITED KINGDOM
    JoMary Smith's avatar

    JoMary Smith

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Had a lot of fun seeing many dolphins with very nice company and staff.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in March 2013

  • 5.0/5

    Well organised and environmentally aware.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in March 2013

    GERMANY
    Marco Schmidt's avatar

    Marco Schmidt

    Customer

  • 2.5/5

    OK but too expensive.

    Reviewed almost 12 years ago and experienced in November 2012

    GERMANY
    N Zitscher's avatar

    N Zitscher

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Nicest wildlife, penguins, seals, dolphins (hectors) on one trip for a good price.

    Reviewed almost 12 years ago

    BELGIUM
    Karin Genyn's avatar

    Karin Genyn

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Ticket purchase and booking easy - trip to view dolphins and other wildlife in Akaroa Harbour was excellent with good first class commentary.

    Reviewed almost 12 years ago

    Peter Harden's avatar

    Peter Harden

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    Well looked after in the sea, lots of information.

    Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in February 2012

    UNITED KINGDOM
    Mike & Jennie's avatar

    Mike & Jennie

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Mostly impressed by the friendly hector dolphins!

    Very friendly crew and lots to learn.

    Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in February 2012

    GERMANY
    Stefes Wencke's avatar

    Stefes Wencke

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    Really good cruise of Akaroa Harbour.

    Informative and got to see a dolphin, so they delivered.

    Reviewed over 12 years ago

    NEW ZEALAND
    Jenny McTigue's avatar

    Jenny McTigue

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Very nice, kind guide.

    Reviewed over 12 years ago

    NETHERLANDS
    Johan Kroese's avatar

    Johan Kroese

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    Excellent animal viewing and friendly staff.

    Reviewed almost 13 years ago

    AUSTRIA
    Herbert's avatar

    Herbert

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Nice boat trip with a free drink and cookie.

    We saw penguins, seals and dolphins and the crew was very friendly, (and a little Dutch!)

    Reviewed over 13 years ago and experienced in March 2011

  • 4.5/5

    Commercial trip with the Black Cat to see Dolphins, we were lucky and saw lots of them.

    Reviewed over 13 years ago

    GERMANY
    Michael's avatar

    Michael

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Great boat, interesting and entertaining commentary.

    We saw all the wildlife advertised. Bonus Top10 card discount, complimentary hot drink and free fish and chips.

    Reviewed over 13 years ago

    Richard Dudfield's avatar

    Richard Dudfield

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    What a great cruise we had.We were thrilled to see such a large number of Hectors dolphins swimming around the boat and the trip outside the heads was the icing on the cake.The skipper's commentary was

    What a great cruise we had.We were thrilled to see such a large number of Hectors dolphins swimming around the boat and the trip outside the heads was the icing on the cake.The skipper's commentary was very informative,the young crew very friendly and this is a fantastic trip for both kiwis and tourists.

    Wayne & Lyn Bellaney

    Reviewed almost 14 years ago

    NEW ZEALAND
    elmoandjoey's avatar

    elmoandjoey

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    The kids loved it and were lucky enough to see several pods of Hectors Dolphins, one pod of 13 so we were very lucky.

    The staff were extremely friendly and helpful and the vessel was immaculate. The weather was perfect as well.

    Reviewed about 14 years ago

    NEW ZEALAND
    Tim's avatar

    Tim

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Great cruise.

    We saw a lot of Hector Dolphins. Friendly staff, lots of information given druing the cruise.

    Reviewed about 14 years ago and experienced in March 2010

    GERMANY
    Risch & Seybold's avatar

    Risch & Seybold

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Nice tour, wonderful view, seals.

    Very kind, drinks and cookie for free.

    Reviewed over 14 years ago and experienced in May 2010

    SWITZERLAND
    Conny's avatar

    Conny

    Customer

  • 3.5/5

    Brilliant, very commercial.

    Brilliant, very commercial.

    Reviewed over 14 years ago

    UNITED KINGDOM
    Victoria Slater's avatar

    Victoria Slater

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Excellent unobtrusive commentary, pleasant and unrushed.

    Reviewed almost 15 years ago and experienced in November 2009

    UNITED KINGDOM
    Kathrin Thomas's avatar

    Kathrin Thomas

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Good service and nice tour.

    Reviewed almost 15 years ago

    SWITZERLAND
    csziegler's avatar

    csziegler

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Our family was fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience an Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise.

    The boat was immaculate, the view breathtaking and the Hector dolphins unbelievable. The crew was knowledgable and made sure to point out all the spectacular points of interest. The wildlife was amazing. Hector dolphins, New Zealand Fur Seals, Little Blue Penquins and Sea Birds greeted us, which made the excursion a definate memorable experience. The Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise is a must for your holiday travels. Thank you for a wonderful cruise.

    Reviewed about 15 years ago

    UNITED STATES
    james masura's avatar

    james masura

    Customer

  • 3.5/5

    Nice cruise, nice crew but expensive, just go there when you have to much time.

    Reviewed about 15 years ago and experienced in March 2009

    GERMANY
    JohannaB's avatar

    JohannaB

    Customer