Akaroa Sightseeing Tour from Christchurch: Explore Volcanic Cliffs and Rare Wildlife

155 Ratings

Akaroa

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Embark on a captivating sightseeing tour from Christchurch to Akaroa. Discover volcanic cliffs, rare wildlife, and the charming Akaroa village. Enjoy a nature cruise and a delicious lunch at Bully Hayes Restaurant.

Duration: 9 hours, 30 minutes

Cancellation: 6 days learn more

Highlights

Akaroa - Following a morning pickup by air-conditioned coach from your Christchurch hotel, head out along the road to Akaroa to begin your tour. Tour includes Tourism Award Winning & Supreme Tourism Award winning cruise, on Akaroa Harbour.\n\nVisit the beautiful unspoilt old French whaling depot of Akaroa. A charming small township nestled in a inner harbour bay of Akaroa Harbour on Banks Peninsula.\n\nThe township contains a host of historic buildings, craft and gift shops together with a multitude of idyllic photo opportunities. Lunch is available at the naturally picturesque setting of Akaroa Village at the popular Bully Hayes. (Lunch is an optional extra) In the afternoon enjoy the Akaroa Harbour Cruise on the Canterbury Cat. On your return journey to Christchurch a stop will be made at the Barry’s Bay Cheese factory, where you will get to sample some fine New Zealand cheese

What's Included

Lunch included (optional)
Convenient hotel pickup and drop-off
Professional driver/guide
Air-conditioned vehicle for comfort

What's Not Included

Gratuities

Additional Information

Join us for a scenic excursion to Akaroa, nestled in the beautiful landscape of Banks Peninsula, shaped by the explosive eruptions of two prehistoric volcanoes. Akaroa’s crater cradles the scenic harbor and the charming village of Akaroa. During a Nature Cruise, marvel at the unique, rare Hector’s Dolphin, a native of NZ, along with penguins and a variety of sea birds. The tour also encompasses grand volcanic sea cliffs and explores the captivating history of Akaroa. A lovely lunch at Bully Hayes Restaurant is part of this journey.

Children must be accompanied by an adult
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark

Location

Akaroa

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

Customer Ratings

4.5

(155 Ratings)

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Jungchun_c

Jul 5, 2024

Best experience - We had a fantastic day! Graham is wise and shared some cultural and geographical knowledge with us. The cruise is excellent as well!

Review provided by Viator

Pkh213

Jun 9, 2024

Lovely day in Akaroa - We were picked up at our hotel at 8:30 a.m. for this full day tour. There were 12 of us in the van. It took us about 90 minutes to make our way to Akaroa. We stopped outside area to enjoy the views from above before descending into the town. We had lunch at Bully Hayes which is in the English area of the town. At 1:30 p.m. we took a two hour cruise on Black Cat Cruises. We stopped at Barry's Bay to sample some cheese before heading back.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Barry_d

May 23, 2024

A great day - Couldn't fault it. Our driver/guide Gabi was punctual, neat, polite and knowledgeable. Lunch was quite nice and the cruise was great.

Review provided by Viator

Dishan_s

May 17, 2024

A great experience - Overall a great experience. Wonderful views and great atmosphere. Cruise to the ocean was the best part of the journey . Our tour guide Scott was excellent.

Review provided by Viator

Garyco4045wm

Apr 28, 2024

Great time. - Had a great tour guide.Reasonable time to enjoy the sights.Weather played its part with heaps of sunshine.Saw heaps of wildlife on boat part of tour.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Arbet_p

Apr 24, 2024

Place not to be missed - The place was unique with French type of buildings with lot of eateries near the coast. Enroute the rim of the dead volcano overlooking Akaroa was too good. Best of all is Andrew, the loving and cheerful skipper and guide. He made our tour more lively with his nice commentary. He deserved an additional star.....

Review provided by Viator

Irina_z

Apr 4, 2024

a wonderful boat trip - We enjoyed the boat trip very much - something to remember and recommend to friends! The captain was very helpful at telling you which side of the boat you can see dolphins and seals. It was also interesting to visit the town Akaroa, enjoy a walk along the sunny embankment, admire the colorful views of the bay.

Review provided by Viator

Bubbsie2015

May 17, 2024

Akaroa Day Trip - We thoroughly enjoyed the day trip to Akaroa and harbour cruise. Our driver/guide Scotty is a legend, very knowledgeable on the history and background, giving us an insight to how this part of NZ was settled. Akaroa itself is a charming place, the lunch was a chance to catch up wth fellow travellers and hear of their experiences. On the harbour cruise we saw dolphins, babyseals and a humpback made a brief appearance... this was the first sighting of the season, so a big point score for the skipper and crew. Picked up some chutneys, cheese and chocs at the factory before heading back to town Thanks to all for a very enjoyable day out.. Barbara M

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Anonymous855

Apr 29, 2024

Very nice tour operator, Akaroa town blah, Hector dolphins on bay good - We live along a vibrant coast so I'm a bit jaded on beach towns so this place did not meet my expectations and we did not enjoy our lunch choices at Bully Hayes. The restaurant was not busy and yet they crammed 5 of us into a table for 4 making it difficult to place beverages, elbows, etc. The boat out to the marine reserve was good, you cannot see the penguins, don't plan on it. I'm seen enough fur seals to last my life, but we were fortunate to have an abundance of playful Hector dolphins hang around the boat. Before arriving in town, we stopped at a beautiful viewpoint. Afterward, we stopped at a cheese place. Seriously, you should drop that from the tour, it is ridiculous and not worthy of being called a tasting. Waste of time. I wouldn't do this trip again...too much time and money for the result.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Veronicah_h