Top Akaroa Nature and Wildlife Tours

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.

Swim with dolphins at Akaroa Harbour, where Hector’s dolphins—found only in New Zealand—visit the waters of the Banks Peninsula. Cruising the sheltered harbor by jet-powered catamaran so you can swim up close, learn from the highly trained crew how to interact safely with the world’s smallest and rarest dolphins. Just 12 swimmers are permitted per vessel, ensuring an intimate experience in a small group. Wetsuits and masks are provided, along with a hot shower and drink on board.

Kids and adults alike will enjoy learning more about beautiful alpacas at an alpaca farm. This ticket gives you admission to the farm, where you can meet the furry creatures, take some photos, and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings of Akaroa. Find out about their care, their friendly nature, and how alpacas are different from llamas.

This Akaroa shore excursion takes you on a scenic journey into Christchurch via the Banks Peninsula with a visit to the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. Your tour of the ‘Garden City’ includes a stroll through the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and a look at earthquake recovery efforts in the city center. You’ll find exotic critters such as wallabies, gibbons and lemurs at the wildlife reserve, and meet the elusive but iconic kiwi, New Zealand’s national bird.

Night Awe is all about immersive nocturnal experiences. Led by an expert guide, our tour unveils the wonders of the night sky. From naked eye observations to using binoculars and telescopes, explore celestial marvels. Our state-of-the-art equipment ensures impressive views. With personalized narration and small group settings, embark on an intimate cosmic journey, discovering the universe's secrets in the most captivating way.

Embark on a celestial journey at the iconic historic Akaroa Lighthouse with our Solar Explorer. Experience the awe-inspiring spectacle of the Sun through our Solarscope, specially designed for safe solar observations. You'll witness mesmerizing phenomena such as solar flares, prominences, and sunspots, revealing the dynamic nature of our nearest star in vivid detail. This unique daytime stargazing adventure offers an immersive blend of scientific discovery and celestial wonder against the backdrop of the Akaroa sky. Accompanied by our knowledgeable guides, delve into the intricacies of solar science for an educational and awe-inspiring journey. Book your Solar Explorer adventure now and forge a deeper connection with the cosmos!

This is a Private Tour. We can take up to 11 passengers and as locals have been proudly showing visitors Christchurch and the South Island for over 25 years (see "E S Tours" Trip Advisor Reviews). We like to think our tours are small, friendly, informative and we look for the interesting back roads to travel away from most tour destinations and itineraries.