Akaroa Full Day Sightseeing Tour from Christchurch
Overview
Available languages
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
Lake Ellesmere
Travel to Akaroa via Lake Ellesmere, Lake Forsyth and Little River
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 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
Akaroa - Cruise Only
Akaroa - Cruise only: Akaroa Day Tour including a 2 hour Nature Cruise on Akaroa Harbour (No lunch included)
Pickup included
Reviews
255 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Craig was a great driver...
Randy R,,Jan 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Craig 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
5.00Brent 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
5.00I 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
5.00The 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
4.00The 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
5.00Our 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.
Stephanie was a...
Jane B,,Dec 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Stephanie was a knowledgeable and friendly tour guide. The first stop offers great views over Christchurch. The cheese shop stop is short, no-pressure, and tasty. The bus ride and boat both offer great scenery. We saw dolphins!
Great scenery
JOHN S,,Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00Boat experience was great Scenery was beautiful But town was boring We still like our day experience
Value for money
KaiMing L,,Nov 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Good pace and great value and family friendly. Stephanie is an excellent guide. Clean and comfortable van too.
Akaroa
RAAJESH B,,Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was an excellent t trip and our guide Terry was awesome. The boat ride and the views were simply great
From NZ$270.00
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Operated by Leisure Tours