After a somewhat dull summer in Canterbury, the weather really came right in February, making for some perfect cruising conditions. We are hoping the hot dry conditions will continue through Autumn. After the Chile earthquake yesterday and subsequent Tsunami alert, we made the decision to suspend all our cruises in the interests of safety. Today its back to business as usual so our apologies for any inconvenience yesterday. In this edition of the Breeze you will see we are supporting a Walk for Hectors, a great way to raise the profile of Hector's dolphins and yet another way for Black Cat to demonstrate our committment to conservation.
Cheers Paul
|
|
Many Steps to Save Dolphins
When 15 year old Aeschleah Hawkins approached Black Cat to support her walk from Christchurch to Akaroa to raise money and awareness of the Hector’s dolphins, we jumped at the chance. Aeschleah is passionate about wildlife and dolphins and wanted to do something to help. Ten walkers including Black Cat MD, Paul Bingham, will walk the 45 kms over three days on March 5-7. Already the event has received national media coverage - click here for article from Sunday Times. Hector’s dolphins numbers are reducing by about 1% per year due mainly to human threats and the more that can be done to help the better. You can donate by clicking here
|
 |
|
|
Get a great deal and save dolphins
To raise money for the walk for hectors fund, we have organised a great on line auction of some of the best travel activities in the South Island including Ballooning, whalewatching, cruises in Milford and Akaroa/Lyttelton and other wildlife experiences. So here is a chance to score a great deal and help out New Zealand’s own Hector’s dolphins. Click here for details.
|
Safe to Cruise
Our two largest vessels, Black Cat and Canterbury Cat now have defibrillators on board. These brief case sized medical emergency kits allow our team to better face any medical situation on board. As the only boats on the harbours with this equipment we are now an even safer option for your customers. The ‘defibs’ cost $8000 and were supplied by the Red Cross.
|
Orca visit Akaroa 
Orca have been making regular visits to both Akaroa and Lyttelton Harbours recently. It’s thought pods range up and down the South Island. Orca are a natural predator of the Hector’s dolphins so though it’s an awesome sight its also good they move on! This shot was taken just outside the Akaroa Heads.
|
|
Akaroa dolphin swimming named one of the best in the world!
You may also be interested to know the travel site “Travel Associates” based in Australia has just named Akaroa as one of the top 5 places in the world to swim with dolphins. The other spots were Hawaii, Azores, Bahamas and The Red Sea. And CD Traveller.com based in the UK has also named swimming with dolphins in Akaroa as one of their top 10 things to do in New Zealand. Click here for the full list
|
Free Bar Tab for dinner cruises
For a dinner party, event or function to remember, just add water, Black Cat Cruises and a free bar tab! All private charter bookings made for between now and the end of April will get a free bar tab of between $300 and $700. The team and Black Cat will take care of everything. You relax enjoy a drink and watch the sun go down.
Phone 03 328 9078 and mention the free bar tab offer when making a booking.
|
|
|
|
New Shuttle on the Road
If you are in Christchurch you may notice our new shuttle bus operating daily between Cathedral Square and Lyttelton. The bright new graphics are hard to miss. The shuttle also operates to Willowbank in the evening and so also features kiwis and other land based wildlife.
|
|
Blogging Favourites
We continue to receive great reviews on line on the many blogs and review sites. This is great feedback and very important to our marketing efforts. Here is one of my favourites and is a great example of the power of positive blogging.
Here is a great blog from Michelle Acourt who did the ChCh wildlife cruise recently when she was down for the buskers festival. Clearly Michelle had a great time and we have heard since that she has raved about her dolphin experience to others as the highlight of her trip to Christchurch, so no doubt she will spread the word in Auckland.
|
|
|
|
Beeb comes to Akaroa
The BBC produced reality show 'Wanted Down Under' was filming in Akaroa recently. With a massive audience of over 2 million viewers per episode the show is sure to raise the profile of New Zealand. This is the second time the show has featured Akaroa and Black Cat Cruises. The series is about British families, keen to trade in the British weather for the down-under lifestyle, are given the chance to sample what life would be like if they moved to the other side of the world
|
Great Feedback
Hi there,
Myself and my husband Mark came on the 12pm dolphin swim with Ian and Charlotte today and had a brilliant time, and just wanted to say another big thank you! Despite us arriving a bit late at the harbour (and the weather being a bit dodgy!), the lady checking us in was amazingly helpful and offered us all sorts of options in case we wanted to cancel because of the weather, but in the end we decided to go for it as it was actually my birthday so it seemed worth a go! Ian and Charlotte were both fantastic, especially when it got to us being in the water. They were so enthusiastic and it spurred us all on in our singing and tapping to get the dolphins' attention! They made sure we knew when there were any dolphins coming towards us, and kept us safe and entertained throughout the whole trip. I've been on dolphin swimming trips 5 times in NZ (the other 4 all in the Bay of Islands!) but this was by far the most memorable and best run trip I've ever been on, and a huge part of that was down to Ian and Charlotte and also the lady at the check-in (sorry I didn't catch her name). So a big thank you to all of the team at Black Cat Cruises. Many thanks; we'll be recommending you to all of our friends in Christchurch. Louise
Hi Sonya,
Thanks. I have my photos. The swim with the Dolphins was very special. A highlight in my life. I wish you and your team continued success with the high standard of environmental awareness you create on these tours. I think you set a world standard and Have no doubt you keep it. I look forward to being on one of these tours in the near future, again. Good luck to you and your team especially with the conservation effort. Kind regards, Valentine
|
Did you know...
Whale strandings are very rare at Banks Peninsula but we have now had two recently after a pod of Pilot Whales lost their way and beached at Port Levy just outside Lyttelton. This was a real shame because we had viewed them on the afternoon before on the wildlife cruise to much excitement.
To the right is an image taken from the Canterbury Cat along with the aftermath of the beaching. Thankfully only 15 whales died with another 35 floated by locals out to sea. This is the first mass stranding in Banks Peninsula that we can recall and a true reminder of how brutal Mother Nature can be.
|
|
|
|
|
