Black Cat Cruises

Based in Akaroa, just 90 minutes from Christchurch, Akaroa is the only place in the world (and NZ) that you can encounter the Hector’s dolphin, one of the worlds rarest and smallest dolphins every single day. They are voted the number 1 wildlfie activity in New Zealand and Lonely Planet list them as one of the top ten marine mammal experiences in the world. I f you are looking for a once in a lifetime experience this is the place to be.

Both the Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise and Swimming With Dolphins trips offer a dolphin guarantee…and take place in Akaroa Harbour, an stunning setting as you are cruising or swimming in the belly of an extinct volcanic crater. Both trips operate year round. The swim boats carry just 12 swimmers for an up close and intimate encounter with the Hector’s dolphins. The Black Cat catamaran that operates the nature cruise carries up to 99 and a two tier luxury vessel that this is the largest, most stable and comfortable boat on the harbour.

Each cruise is fully narrated by your skipper who has extensive knowledge of the nature, wildlife and maori and early European settler’s history of the harbour and village.

Also on the trip you may catch glimpses of the White Flippered Blue Penguin, the smallest penguin in the world. You'll also see New Zealand Fur Seals sunning themselves and an array of coastal birdlife.