Top Akaroa Safaris

While your cruise ship is docked in Akaroa port, take a guided shore excursion to Christchurch and nearby Canterbury via the scenic bays and coves of the Banks Peninsula. Explore the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and other highlights during a city sightseeing tour, then see sheep dogs and a sheep-shearing demonstration as you get a feel for rural life on an authentic New Zealand sheep farm. Afternoon tea and round-trip port transport are included.

Travel from Akaroa Harbour on this shore excursion through the Banks Peninsula to Christchurch, whose city center was devastated by the 2011 earthquake. Drive past city landmarks in the old CBD and stroll the Christchurch Botanic Gardens with a knowledgeable guide. En route, take in the scenic splendor of the Southern Alps and the Canterbury Region.

Spot Akaroa Harbour’s rare Hector’s dolphins on a catamaran wildlife cruise that includes fresh-baked cookies and a drink. The 2-hull catamaran offers more stability and deck space than a single-hull boat, ensuring a comfortable spot as you scan for fur seals, white-flippered penguins, and other wildlife. Dolphin-spotting dogs are on board .Equipped with dog life-vests and a keen ear, they’ll help make your dolphin encounter an unforgettable experience.

If you're pulling into port in Akaroa, this shore excursion is designed to show you some of the sights of New Zealand's South Island. You'll explore the Banks Peninsula and the city of Christchurch, plus take a guided tour of the Giant's House. See how the city has rebuilt since the 2011 earthquake, and stop by places such as the Botanical Gardens. This tour allows you to relax on a pre-planned adventure instead of trying to find your own way around the area from the cruise ship port.

This Akaroa shore excursion takes you sightseeing in Christchurch via a scenic drive through the Banks Peninsula. See the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and other city highlights before a visit to the International Antarctic Centre, Christchurch's top attraction. Feel arctic winds at the Snow and Ice Experience and observe New Zealand wildlife at the Penguin Encounter. Finish with an all-terrain adventure on a thrilling ride by amphibious Hagglund vehicle.

Make the most of your time at shore and discover Akaroa on this fun shore excursion. Alongside a private guide, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of the township and its inner bays. Visit a local cheese factory, drive along the volcanic rim, and visit the famous Giants House in just a few hours.

When your cruise ship docks in Akaroa, take a shore excursion to Christchurch for a sightseeing tour, followed by an adrenaline-charged jet-boat ride on the Waimak River. Escorted by a knowledgeable guide, you’ll combine a drive through the Banks Peninsula with the city landmarks of Christchurch and an exhilarating jet-boat ride. Round-trip port transport is included.

This small-group shore excursion has been designed to show cruise ship passengers the highlights of Akaroa in just two-and-a-half hours. After being met at Akaroa Wharf you’ll tour the small French-influenced town and check out some spectacular view points. Visit a cheese factory and a working sheep farm. Watch sheepdogs in action, see a shearing show, and refuel with afternoon tea.

Experience majestic scenery and stunning wildlife, including Hector’s dolphins, blue penguins and birdlife, on a narrated 2-hour Akaroa Harbour cruise. Ride a spacious luxury catamaran with prime views of the harbor’s sea caves and volcanic cliffs. Your skipper stops at a salmon farm in Lucas Bay and takes you past a New Zealand fur seal colony at Seal Bay.