New Zealand · AKAROA TOURS

The 15 Akaroa Tours to Lock In Early

32 tours  ·  from $16 a head

15 akaroa tours laid out with the price, the running time and the kind of traveller each one actually suits. Top of the list first.

Akaroa Dolphins ~ Harbour Nature Cruise - Akaroa Lighthouse and the first harbour views
Akaroa Tours, Boat Tours in Akaroa, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Tour Reviews

Akaroa Dolphins ~ Harbour Nature Cruise

1.Akaroa Dolphins ~ Harbour Nature Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,143 reviews · from $80Our pick

Cruise Akaroa Harbour by catamaran, spot Hector’s dolphins, seals, and penguins, and enjoy a local drink, cookie, and expert commentary.

“Lovely time out. Lots of good information. Saw dolphins and seals. Comfortable boat. Enjoyable trip. Love the dog Albi.”

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Akaroa: Dolphin Nature Cruise - Checking in 30 minutes before departure
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Akaroa: Dolphin Nature Cruise

2.Dolphin Nature Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 440 reviews · 2 hours · from $77

Cruise Akaroa Harbour for rare Hector’s dolphins, seals, penguins, volcanic cliffs, local stories, wine, cookies, and expert guiding.

“Outstanding. One of our favourite activities in the entire trip. We went out further and saw more than I expected! Amazing value, these guys are top notch. Must do.”

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Akaroa Harbour 2-Hour Dolphin Nature Cruise - Leaving the Main Wharf and finding your sea legs
2-Hour Experiences, Akaroa Tours, Boat Tours in Akaroa, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Tour Reviews, Wildlife & Nature Tours, Wildlife Tours in Akaroa

Akaroa Harbour 2-Hour Dolphin Nature Cruise

Akaroa Shore Excursion: Banks Peninsula and Christchurch City Sights Tour - Thirty minutes in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Akaroa Tours, City Tours, Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions in Akaroa, Tour Reviews, Tours

Akaroa Shore Excursion: Banks Peninsula and Christchurch City Sights Tour

5.Akaroa Shore Excursion: Banks Peninsula and Christchurch City Sights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 228 reviews · from $89

Review of Akaroa’s Banks Peninsula and Christchurch tour, with scenic drives, earthquake sights, gardens, timings, value, and practical cruise tips.

“It was a nice tour winding roads to get to Christchurch. Seeing the city sights was really cool. There were some buildings damaged from a resisted earthquake which was said but interesting to see. What was really sad to hear that most of their historic buildings are long gone.”

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Shore Excursion Guided Sea Kayaking through Akaroa Marine Reserve - Meeting near the harbor and getting ready
Akaroa Tours, Canoes & Kayaks, Guided, Kayak Tours in Akaroa, Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions in Akaroa, Tour Reviews, Tours

Shore Excursion Guided Sea Kayaking through Akaroa Marine Reserve

6.Shore Excursion Guided Sea Kayaking through Akaroa Marine Reserve

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 160 reviews · from $83

Paddle Akaroa’s volcanic bays with a small guided group, spotting Hector’s dolphins, penguins, seals, birds, and dramatic rock formations.

“Lots of fun! Our guide Jake was awesome, very knowledgeable about the local wildlife and scenery, threw some cute jokes in there as well. Got to see some amazing rock formations and lots of local birds. My husband and I have very little experience on a kayak and Jake was really patient with us and took his time to help guide us in the right direction.”

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Akaroa Shore Excursion: Banks Peninsula, Christchurch City Tour and the International Antarctic Centre - Christchurch Botanic Gardens and the quick city view
Akaroa Tours, City Tours, Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions in Akaroa, Tour Reviews, Tours

Akaroa Shore Excursion: Banks Peninsula, Christchurch City Tour and the International Antarctic Centre

7.Akaroa Shore Excursion: Banks Peninsula, Christchurch City Tour and the International Antarctic Centre

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 135 reviews · from $124

Review of Akaroa’s Christchurch and Antarctic Centre shore excursion, with Banks Peninsula views, penguins, Hagglund ride, timing tips, and value advice.

“The weather was not great!. We made a 45 minute stop in Christchurch, but there was not much we could do because it was raining. We ducked into the art museum and ran thru the botanical gardens. We drove to the International Antarctic Center where they were not prepared for the crowds. They did not have enough help nor enough food for us! After eating rapidly, they escorted us thru the center at a much too rapid pace. We did not have time to look at displays or enjoy the center!”

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Akaroa: Pohatu Penguins Scenic Nature 2-Hour or 4-Hour Tour - Crossing the Akaroa volcano crater rim
2-Hour Experiences, Akaroa Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Akaroa: Pohatu Penguins Scenic Nature 2-Hour or 4-Hour Tour

8.Pohatu Penguins Scenic Nature 2-Hour or 4-Hour Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 125 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $56

Review of Akaroa’s Pohatu Penguins 4WD tour, with harbor views, sheep, little penguins, conservation insight, prices, tips, and practical details.

“The conservation project is really nice and doing a great job of preserving the pinguins but also the native nature. Our guide Meg was great!”

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Sunrise wildlife sea kayaking in Akaroa marine reserve - Learning in the harbor shallows
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Sunrise wildlife sea kayaking in Akaroa marine reserve

9.Sunrise wildlife sea kayaking in Akaroa marine reserve

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 123 reviews · from $96

Paddle Akaroa’s volcanic harbor at sunrise, watch for Hector dolphins and seals, and enjoy a quiet, small-group kayak tour with photos and refreshments.

“We got close to Hectors dolphins right in the beginning and discovered sea stars in a cave later on. The guide was very knowledgeable and even had tips for other experiences in nature - very warmly recommended!”

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Akaroa: 4WD Safari and Guided Sea-Kayaking Experience - Preparing for the double kayaks
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Akaroa: 4WD Safari and Guided Sea-Kayaking Experience

10.4WD Safari and Guided Sea-Kayaking Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 120 reviews · 4h 30m · from $80

Kayak beneath Akaroa’s cliffs, spot penguins, seals and dolphins, and cross Banks Peninsula by 4WD on this guided Pohatu adventure.

“We had to skip the kayaking and take the scenic penguin tour due to wind conditions. However this was communicated well in advance and the balance was refunded. Kevin was an excellent guide. We heard a lot of interesting facts about the region and highly enjoyed the scenery and the penguin experience.”

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Akaroa: Pohatu Little Penguins 3-Hour Evening Experience - Why Pohatu’s Penguin Project Matters
3-Hour Experiences, Akaroa Tours, Evening Experiences, Tour Reviews

Akaroa: Pohatu Little Penguins 3-Hour Evening Experience

11.Pohatu Little Penguins 3-Hour Evening Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 119 reviews · 3 hours · from $68

See Akaroa’s white-flippered penguins at Pohatu Bay, with scenic 4WD views, conservation insight, and natural dusk viewing.

“It was a great experience and very informativ! The guides provided a lot of information regarding the location and of course penguins. I definitely recommend it!”

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Shamarra Alpaca Farm Tours - What happens during the one-hour alpaca visit
Akaroa Tours, Farm & Sheep Station Tours, Farms, Tour Reviews, Tours

Shamarra Alpaca Farm Tours

12.Shamarra Alpaca Farm Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 117 reviews · from $38Best value

Review of Shamarra Alpaca Farm Tours near Akaroa, with feeding, cuddling, mountain views, transport advice, pricing, and family tips.

“Not the Alpacas fault however, we came in on a cruise and there was absolutely no way to get to the farm. No taxis, no Uber nothing. We could not get there and we were not the only ones with tickets and no way to get there. My daughter and her friend were so disappointed. Viator should note, there is no transportation available in the town and not accessible if you don't have a car.”

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Small group guided sea kayaking in Akaroa marine reserve - Getting Started at the Akaroa Bowling Club
Akaroa Tours, Canoes & Kayaks, Guided, Kayak Tours in Akaroa, Tour Reviews

Small group guided sea kayaking in Akaroa marine reserve

Akaroa Wildlife Cruise - Searching for Hector’s dolphins
Akaroa Tours, Boat Tours in Akaroa, Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife & Nature Tours, Wildlife Tours in Akaroa

Akaroa Wildlife Cruise

14.Akaroa Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 101 reviews · from $68

Cruise Akaroa Harbour in a small boat, seeking Hector’s dolphins, seals, penguins, and seabirds with local guides Tony and Mafi.

“Tony and Mafi are great hosts. Super friendly, welcoming, knowledgeable... and great dolphin spotters!! A lovely way to see one of New Zealand's best places.”

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Akaroa: Akaroa Marine Reserve Sea Kayaking Tour - Meeting the guide and getting onto the water
Akaroa Tours, Canoes & Kayaks, Kayak Tours in Akaroa, Tour Reviews, Tours

Akaroa: Akaroa Marine Reserve Sea Kayaking Tour

15.Akaroa Marine Reserve Sea Kayaking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 100 reviews · 2h 30m · from $80

Review of Akaroa’s 2.5-hour sea-kayaking tour, with volcanic-crater views, small groups, wildlife chances, practical tips, and honest value advice.

“Quite exciting as the wind came up on the way back with plenty of waves . Our guide Adam was great and very encouraging”

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