Akaroa Full Day Sightseeing Tour from Christchurch

Overview

Available languages

English

9 hours 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

Enjoy a Sightseeing tour to Akaroa through the spectacular scenery surrounding Banks Peninsula, formed following violent eruptions of two ancient volcanoes. The Akaroa crater nurses the picturesque harbor and Akaroa village. Experience a Nature Cruise with highlights including the rare, NZ native dolphin - the Hector's Dolphin, as well as penguins and other sea birds. And you'll see giant volcanic sea cliffs and hear about Akaroa's fascinating past. The Tour also includes a delightful lunch at Bully Hayes Restaurant.

Additional Info

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Children must be accompanied by an adult

Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking

Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

What To Expect

Akaroa

Following a morning pickup by air-conditioned coach from your Christchurch hotel, head out along the road to Akaroa to begin your tour. Tour includes Tourism Award Winning & Supreme Tourism Award winning cruise, on Akaroa Harbour. Visit the beautiful unspoilt old French whaling depot of Akaroa. A charming small township nestled in a inner harbour bay of Akaroa Harbour on Banks Peninsula. The township contains a host of historic buildings, craft and gift shops together with a multitude of idyllic photo opportunities. Lunch is available at the naturally picturesque setting of Akaroa Village at the popular Bully Hayes. (Lunch is an optional extra) In the afternoon enjoy the Akaroa Harbour Cruise on the Canterbury Cat. On your return journey to Christchurch a stop will be made at the Barry’s Bay Cheese factory, where you will get to sample some fine New Zealand cheese

Admission Not Applicable

Lake Ellesmere

Travel to Akaroa via Lake Ellesmere, Lake Forsyth and Little River

Admission Not Applicable

What‘s Included

Lunch - (if option chosen)

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Driver/guide

Air-conditioned vehicle

Gratuities

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Options

Akaroa - Cruise Only

Akaroa - Cruise only: Akaroa Day Tour including a 2 hour Nature Cruise on Akaroa Harbour (No lunch included)
Pickup included

Akaroa Day Tour w/ Lunch

Akaroa Day Tour: Tour includes lunch at Bully Hayes restaurant and a 2 hour Nature Cruise on Akaroa Harbour.
Pickup included

Reviews

4.60

260 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

198

Lovely day trip from Christchurch
BecBris,,Feb 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Lovely day trip from Christchurch to see the world’s smallest dolphins. Blessed with great weather, and the scenery is very pretty.
Lovely day in Akaroa
S Craig D,,Feb 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A long day but worth every minute. Our guide was knowledgeable of all the area and provided good commentary. We sat in the rear of the van and at times it was difficult to hear with the AC on, road noise etc. The guide was on time and maintained the schedule, but gave all participants plenty of time at each stop. The only negative was the Akaroa bay boat cruise, we were on the upper deck and it was half filled with very loud shouting young passengers who were more concerned about squeezing in front of you to pose for their 50th selfie. I cannot hold this against our tour guide and operator. It just happens
The trip went smoothly...
Cheryl L,,Feb 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
The trip went smoothly and was excellently narrated by Craig the driver. We had a lovely lunch followed by a cruise in weather that was better than we could ask for. A really great day
Average but not the best
Ian R,,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00
Didn't realise when booking how much travel was involved. Probably would have done it ourselves had we realised. The bus was 30 mins late and it felt like he was rushing to make the time up. The driver was asked to go slowly over traffic humps so as to make a more comfortable ride in the back of the van but clearly he kept forgetting. The boat ride was OK but because of weather we didn't get to see much. Although the boat company was happy for us to go back free of charge this was not possible due to a tight itinerary. The driver did a running commentary - some of which was interesting but please ignore his story about the 'mental asylum' - as he referred to it - as it was in very bad taste. Generally not a bad tour but not the best.
Craig was a great driver...
Randy R,,Jan 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Craig was a great driver and guide. He was full of fun and factual stories, and he was a very careful driver. We saw dolphins, baby seal, an albatross, and a blue penguin.
Nice tour! Small group, beautiful sights and boat ride
Pamela O,,Jan 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Brent was a wonderful tour guide. We had a small group of 5, which made it a lot cozier and nicer than other tours. Brent taught us a lot about Christchurch and the areas we were visiting. It was nice! We saw a few dolphins and several seals in their beautiful habitat. I would recommend motion sickness medicine for the boat ride, but I was okay without it. Lunch was delicious. Overall it was a nice tour!
Akaroa and,Christchurch
mcintyreangela1,,Dec 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I did the,Akaroa tour with lunch and a boat trip. The weather was not kind to us but the tour and driver were the best. I thoroughly enjoyed the day and may do it again hoping the weather will be better. A great look at Christchurch surroundings.
The moment I met Elan, I...
Deng L,,Dec 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
The moment I met Elan, I never imagined I'd be so deeply moved. Though our day together was brief, he was incredibly attentive, earnest, and responsible. His detailed explanations and polite, humble demeanor truly reminded me of my own family, gifting me countless joyful and genuine moments. If you ever have the chance to visit Christchurch, you absolutely must sign up for his tour. By the way, if Elan is willing to share his contact info, please send it my way!!! Thank you—I have so many thoughts I want to share with him and would love to personally tell him what made such a deep impression on me 😢. Thank you! All in all, it was an incredible travel experience—perfect for sharing with family or friends, and equally suited for solo travelers like me. Elan is like family!
Day trip to Akaroa and dolphins
F8650QHlindak,,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
The town was very cute and walkable. The lunch included with the trip was very good and too much food for us. We got to see lots of bottle nose dolphins during the cruise and a brief glimpse of the smaller dolphins we were hoping to see. The weather was great for the cruise. Our guide was entertaining and knowledgeable. We could have passed on the cheese factory since the production was closed. The bus was almost full and we ended in the very back where it was very bumpy on some of the roads and hard to hear and understand some of the commentary during the drive.
Fun
Sue A,,Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Our guide gave us a very knowledgeable tour of our scenery getting to the cruise. Our ship captain worked very hard on making sure we could see dolphins.