Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruises - Black Cat Cruises

Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruises

Black Cat Cruises

58 Rankers Reviews

1 Dolphin Watching

1 Boat Cruises

8 Akaroa

Maps

Video

Photos

Cruise inside an extinct volcanic crater
View Hector's dolphins
RANKERS

The Cook Strait Ferry

Save 10% when you use promo code RANKERS and show your free Rankers digital membership card at check in. Learn more

Save 10%

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

Take a peak
Latitude
-43.8088037465967
Longitude
172.961968936523

Reviews

    • Very nice, kind guide.
    • Comfortable, exhilarating ride.
    • Well organised and environmentally aware.
    • Really good cruise of Akaroa Harbour.
    • Fantastic boat trip in the harbour.
    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

    SS
    Sabrina Saunders 's avatar
  • 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
    SC
    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
    SM
    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

    F
    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
    P
    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
    CE
    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 almost 11 years ago and experienced in January 2014

    UNITED KINGDOM
    JS
    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
    TZ
    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
    MS
    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

    GERMANY
    CS
    Christian Schumacher's avatar
  • 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

    SS
    Sabrina Saunders 's avatar
  • 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
    SC
    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

    F
    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
    SM
    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
    P
    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
    CE
    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
    TZ
    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 almost 11 years ago and experienced in January 2014

    UNITED KINGDOM
    JS
    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

    GERMANY
    CS
    Christian Schumacher's avatar
  • 5.0/5

    Well organised and environmentally aware.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in March 2013

    GERMANY
    MS
    Marco Schmidt's avatar

    Marco Schmidt

    Customer

  • 2.5/5

    OK but too expensive.

    Reviewed about 12 years ago and experienced in November 2012

    GERMANY
    NZ
    N Zitscher's avatar

    N Zitscher

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

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

    Reviewed about 12 years ago

    BELGIUM
    KG
    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 about 12 years ago

    PH
    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
    M
    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 almost 13 years ago and experienced in February 2012

    GERMANY
    SW
    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 almost 13 years ago

    NEW ZEALAND
    JM
    Jenny McTigue's avatar

    Jenny McTigue

    Customer

  • 4.5/5

    Very nice, kind guide.

    Reviewed almost 13 years ago

    NETHERLANDS
    JK
    Johan Kroese's avatar

    Johan Kroese

    Customer

  • 4.0/5

    Excellent animal viewing and friendly staff.

    Reviewed almost 13 years ago

    AUSTRIA
    H
    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

    NEW ZEALAND
    Lv
    Louise van der Hyden's avatar
  • 4.5/5

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

    Reviewed almost 14 years ago

    GERMANY
    M
    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 almost 14 years ago

    RD
    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 about 14 years ago

    NEW ZEALAND
    el
    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
    T
    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 over 14 years ago and experienced in March 2010

    GERMANY
    R
    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
    C
    Conny's avatar

    Conny

    Customer

  • 3.5/5

    Brilliant, very commercial.

    Brilliant, very commercial.

    Reviewed almost 15 years ago

    UNITED KINGDOM
    VS
    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
    KT
    Kathrin Thomas's avatar

    Kathrin Thomas

    Customer

  • 5.0/5

    Good service and nice tour.

    Reviewed about 15 years ago

    SWITZERLAND
    cs
    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
    jm
    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 over 15 years ago and experienced in March 2009

    GERMANY
    Jo
    JohannaB's avatar

    JohannaB

    Customer