Sunrise wildlife sea kayaking in Akaroa marine reserve
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Akaroa guided kayak safari provide a premium 3 hour guided sea kayak safari with a local nature/sea kayak guide through's pristine marine reserve and harbour. You will get the most water time by choosing this kayak safari as we are located right in the heart of Akaroa so tour time is not taken up by driving to the launching area. The wildlife, scenery and knowledgable local guide will make this an experience you won't forget. We are always the first operators on the water and often have the whole harbour to ourselves as the boat tours start after we finish. Peaceful serene and wild sums up the magic of kayaking in the early morning through this idyllic marine reserve. We aim to have zero impact on the conservation area. There is no other place quite like it. Come and see for yourself how special it is here!
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Minimum age 10 years
Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund.
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What‘s Included
Light refreshments
Local guide
Local taxes
On water photographs
Lunch
Gratuities
Transportation to/from attractions
What To Expect
The Sunrise Wildlife Safari is our recommended Safari of the day! This is a once in a lifetime chance to paddle in an extinct volcano basin. Take in breath-taking scenery and have the opportunity to experience chance encounters with some of the most endangered marine life on the planet including Hector Dolphins, white flippered penguins, and Orca located in Akaroa Harbor during their most active time of the day, only 80 minutes from Christchurch. We are the first operators on the water every day and have the marine reserve to ourselves until our tour is nearly finished and the tour boats start. Small group numbers are key as we are visiting fragile, pristine, and relatively undisturbed natural areas, enjoy exploring this marine reserve in a low-impact and environmentally responsible way. Close encounters. No noise, No engines, No crowds, No pollution. So come and join us! Explore, Experience and Enjoy!
Options
Sunrise Wildlife Safari
Feel the serenity and be inspired by nature on this preferred excursion. Kayak in an extinct volcano crater. Encounter wildlife as the area begins to stir with the rising of the sun.
Reviews
119 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent kayaking trip
alfloss,
Mar 30, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent kayaking trip. Thank you Peter for an enjoyable morning paddle with lots of interesting facts and luckily some dolphin sightings which was fab. As a kayaker I was thrilled you have left handed paddles - something many other companies tell me don’t exist!!
Couldn't ask for better
Companion17923479868,
Feb 16, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00What a lovely morning we had with Peter our guide. Weather pretty good, a bit of cloud on the hills but no wind on the early paddle. We felt well looked after and as the only two guests on this particular tour Peter catered to our fitness (good) and we went for a long paddle along the spectacular rocky coast, with a small group of dolphins coming right up to the kayaks on the way home. Couldn't ask for better.
Just do it
Sightseer28158127273,
Feb 4, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00Peter was amazing, knowledgeable and gave me confidence as a first time 61 year old female, my husband helped as well of course as we shared a kayak. Peter made it fun. Highly recommend. We encountered the Hector Dolphins, they stayed with us for at least 20 minutes.
Don’t leave home until you’ve seen the country
stephanierU7984WG,
Jan 20, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00Had an amazing sunrise kayak with the family. Saw penguins and a small pod of hector’s dolphins. Informative, fun and confident guide Peter from the UK made the experience all the more enjoyable.
Great kayaking experience
martindM7093KR,
Dec 30, 2024
- Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience. Hadn't kayaked for many years, great to get to do it again, and in a great location. Our guide was Peter. He was very knowledgeable about the area, the history and the wildlife. Would recommend this trip.
Excellent experience in nature!
L3764BPhannahs,
Dec 14, 2024
- Tripadvisor
5.00We had a fantastic time out in the Harbour! We booked through Bookme which was smooth, and were contacted by the company to say that because the weather was good, we would go further and was that ok - yes!! Peter was a great guide, chatty, informative and made everyone feel welcome. We were lucky enough to see seals, dolphins and lots of birds! No penguins, they are in the next bay over which is protected. We had thought about doing a wildlife cruise/swim as well but after doing this we felt we had already had an amazing experience and didn’t need to splash out on the expensive, less eco friendly tours. Peter was very thoughtful about the wellbeing of the dolphins, ensuring that when we spotted them, we didn’t approach them, but stayed nearby to see if they would come to us, which they did! What a beautiful way to enjoy nature, thanks Peter and co! Has
Great time - you won’t regret it!
Navigate43456280421,
Dec 7, 2024
- Tripadvisor
5.00It was a great experience, I highly recommend it. Peter was a brilliant guide, had a great sense of humour and was very knowledgeable about both the cultural and geographical history. We went out on an overcast morning and got caught in a bit of rain, so didn’t manage to see any dolphins but it was still a fun experience none the less! Definitely a fun experience even if you have next to no experience like us!
If only one thing, do this
donyah212,
Dec 4, 2024
- Tripadvisor
5.00We started at Onuku Marae on a calm day AND we actually saw hector dolphins. They came by and went around our Kayaks. We also saw Shags, Cormorants, seals and pubs ☺️ Highly recommended Peter, our guide on the water who was energetic and enthusiastic to ensure we see and do as much as we can.
Amazing wildlife, knowledgeable guide
447dorak,
Nov 24, 2024
- Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing tour! Lovely being out in the water so early, lots of wildlife around and great infos by Peter, our amazing guide!
Lovely morning with lots of animals and info!
Journey17494295840,
Nov 24, 2024
- Tripadvisor
5.00Peter gave us an amazing tour of the marine reserve. We saw Dolphins right after launch, seals and all the birds the region has to offer. Peter also told us much about the geology and both historical and cultural importance of the place. We always felt safe and as avid sea kayakers Peter also showed us some fun gaps and caves to go through - always respecting marine life and vegetation. All in all, couldn’t recommend this enough! Go in the mornings as wind will be down.
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Operated by Akaroa Guided Kayaks