Top Christchurch On the Water

Discover volcanic landscapes and breathtaking scenery on New Zealand’s South Island on this 9.5-hour Akaroa day trip from Christchurch. Take in top attractions including Governor’s Bay, Gebbies Pass, Lake Ellesmere and Lake Forsyth with your guide. Ascend the Banks Peninsula for beautiful views over Akaroa Harbour and the volcanic crater. Then, sample locally made cheeses and admire colonial architecture around Akaroa. Cruise by catamaran into the harbor where diverse marine and bird life thrives, including rare Hector’s dolphins. Upgrade your tour to enjoy a delicious lunch in Akaroa Village.

Visit three boutique wineries of North Canterbury on a half-day wine-tasting tour with optional lunch. Departing Christchurch, you’ll taste a quality selection of wines in the up-and-coming Waipara wine region, including stops at Pegasus Bay, Waipara Hills, Torlesse Wines and Waipara Springs. Learn from a knowledgeable guide about Waipara’s unique terroir as you sip a range of superior reds and whites.

Be enchanted on a Kaikoura dolphin swim during a 12-hour day trip from Christchurch. Travel via the rolling hills of North Canterbury to the rugged Kaikoura coastline, a whale-watching paradise where you’ll board a sightseeing boat and dive into the Pacific Ocean with a provided wetsuit and snorkel. Swim alongside dusky dolphins in their natural habitat and learn from your guide how to encourage interaction with one of nature’s most graceful and curious sea mammals.

Enjoy a unique opportunity to swim with dolphins in the wild during an Akaroa Harbour cruise. Strap on your provided wetsuit, flippers and snorkel gear, then slip into the water to swim alongside inquisitive Hector’s dolphins. This full-day trip from Christchurch includes a drive through the South Island countryside to Akaroa. You’ll admire breathtaking points of interest such as Governor’s Bay and Lake Ellesmere en route, enjoy free time to explore Akaroa, then visit a cheese factory for a tasting session in Barry's Bay.

A thrilling jet boat ride and a scenic helicopter tour are both must-do activities in New Zealand. Save yourself time and hassle by combining them in one easy trip. Departing from Christchurch, you’ll fly over the scenic Canterbury countryside, admiring the pristine braided rivers as you go. Soon you’ll be zipping over them in a jet boat navigated by an expert driver who will keep you safe while you’re having fun.

With transport from Christchurch, this kayaking tour makes it easy to enjoy the natural beauty of Lyttleton, even if you won’t have a car on your trip to the Garden City. Join a small group for a sea kayaking tour of Lyttelton Harbour and Quail Island. Paddle around the sheltered waters, keeping an eye out for native birds and wildlife. Ask your guide all about the area's natural history, and enjoy the opportunity to explore the harbour further with or without your guide before being whisked back to Christchurch in time for your evening plans.

Soak in the natural beauty of New Zealand with a full-day tour to Kaikoura from Christchurch. Start with transfer to the Coastal Pacific Train for the journey north to Kaikoura, then transfer to a sturdy boat for your whale-watching cruise. Have lunch afterward, then visit a New Zealand fur seal colony and winery on the return drive to Christchurch.

Arthurs Pass located deep in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. You will be traveling on the Great Alpine Highway through the ever-changing remarkable landscapes. This tour highlights an example of great engineering, spectacular waterfalls, and famous filming locations. The day will begin with a collection from your chosen accommodation before we hit the road towards Arthur’s pass, our knowledgeable and friendly guide will point out those stunning views along the way. While on this tour with us you will see a variety of green fields to rugged mountain ranges, lush forest and ice-fed lakes and rivers! There are plenty of stops along the route, Including a fantastic jet boat experience. On the return to Christchurch you will hop aboard world-famous TranzAlpine back towards the city. Of course, we will also stop at those must-see Instagram worthy spots too along the way

Visit the charming french colonial town of Akaroa and take in the beautiful scenery of Banks Peninsula on this full-day tour from Christchurch. Encounter boutique shops and waterfront cafes in Akaroa, visit a local cheese factory and take an optional trip to an Alpaca farm. A highlight of the tour is a harbor nature cruise (approximately 2 hours long) where you can hopefully see the world’s smallest dolphin: Hector’s Dolphin.

Active, adventurous travelers who don’t want to risk getting lost or having trouble at sea will enjoy this private sea kayaking tour from Christchurch. You’ll be met in the central city (or Lyttelton if you prefer) and driven to Lyttelton Harbour. Get fitted with kayaking gear, get a safety briefing, then head out to explore beautiful spots like Quail Island, sea caves, and more.

Spend a day Sea Kayaking in Lyttleton Harbour. This tour includes transport from Lyttelton, lunch, kayaking gear and a local guide. This tour is suited to individuals, couples and small groups. Prior experience is not necessary. Explore Quail Island's and Lyttleton Harbour's shipwrecks, secret beaches, sea caves, and history with a local guide. What makes Lyttleton Harbour so interesting? Volcanic activity 45 million years ago formed Banks Peninsula and the two most significant eruptions formed Lyttelton and Akaroa Harbours. Now we have some of the most spectacular and dynamic harbours in New Zealand. Quail Island is the largest of three small islands in Lyttelton Harbour and rich in history. On this day trip, we explore Lyttelton Harbour and Quail Island.

Available 01 October to 30 April. Seals, dolphins and whales - what more could you want in a three-day break! Head north from Christchurch to the coastal town of Kaikoura. Kaikoura township is bustling with many cafes, restaurants and shops but the main reason for visiting is the wildlife. Your tour includes a magical swimming encounter with Dusky Dolphins, the world-famous Kaikoura Whale Watch tour and a half-day kayaking tour before heading home. This is an Independent coach tour, where you travel on a combination of touring coaches and sightseeing services with commentary and/or point to point coaches which may not have commentary. You will be with different people on each part of the tour and different drivers. You have free time to explore on your own and are free to choose where and when to eat, meals are not included unless specified.

Arthur’s pass – A National Park located deep in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. You will be traveling on the Great Alpine Highway through the ever-changing remarkable landscapes. This tour highlights an example of great engineering, spectacular waterfalls, and famous filming locations. While on this tour with us you will see a variety of green fields to rugged mountain ranges, lush forest and ice-fed lakes and rivers! There are plenty of stops along the route, so we won’t be spending all day in the van although it is pretty comfy. Grab an action thrilled tour while stopping at those must-see Instagram worthy spots too along the way! This package includes a 25-minute jet boat ride with the Team at Alpine Jet Thrills. “Jetboat Experience… more than a ride! Jump aboard Alpine Jet Thrills and discover the holy grail of jet boating rivers where much of the development of kiwi inventor Bill Hamilton's jet boat happened