AKAROA NATURE CRUISE
Explore Akaroa Harbour on our 2-hour, award-winning Akaroa Nature Cruise. View Hector’s dolphins, seals, and native seabirds while cruising through stunning landscapes of Akaroa, one of the top wildlife experiences 90-mins from Christchurch.
PRICEs
Adult $125
Child 5-15 years $60
Kids under 5 – Free
Valid until September 2026
SWIMMING WITH DOLPHINS
Swim with Hector’s dolphins in beautiful Akaroa Harbour, 90 mins from Christchurch. This intimate 3.5-hour dolphin encounter offers the chance to meet the world’s rarest dolphin all while learning about marine conservation in New Zealand.
PRICEs
Adult $210
Child (8 – 15 years) $180
Spectators $150
Valid until September 2026
QUAIL ISLAND ADVENTURES
Discover Quail Island, Christchurch’s island escape. Take a short ferry ride from Lyttelton and enjoy a day of birdlife, scenic walks, beaches, and fascinating history.
PRICEs
Adult $40
Child 5-15 years $20
Kids under 5 – Free
Valid until September 2026
DISCOVER THE UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURES
THAT BANKS PENINSULA HAS TO OFFER
ABOUT US
The award-winning Black Cat Cruises is not only an acclaimed success in New Zealand's tourism industry but also internationally recognized as an eco-tourism pioneer. We hold the honour of being the first to introduce cruises in Akaroa, and we're proud to be acknowledged as New Zealand's very first eco-tourism operator.
OUR LOCATIONS
Our Nature Cruises and Dolphin Swimming experience depart from the stunning Akaroa Harbour which is only a 90 minute scenic drive from Christchurch. The Diamond Harbour and Quail Island ferry depart from Lyttelton in Christchurch.
PROTECT
HECTOR'S DOLPHINS
Conservation is embedded in our DNA. Protecting our unique dolphins isn't just an act - it defines us. We collaborate with industry partners and the community, continually advocating for enhanced protection of our rare native dolphin.
DIAMOND
HARBOUR FERRY
Legend says Diamond Harbour was so named because one of the early settlers observed the sun reflecting on the water and thought it looked like a thousand shining diamonds. It remains one of the sunniest and most unspoilt destinations on Banks Peninsula.
PRIVATE
CHARTER CRUISES
Black Cat's Charter Cruises offers event organisers a unique setting for any occasion, from social club gatherings and functions to conference entertainment and exclusive celebrations.
AWARD WINNING ADVENTURES
For over 4 decades Black Cat has been recognised nationally and internationally with numerous tourism and conservation awards and are recognised as New Zealand's first true eco-tourism operator
Awarded by the Department of Conservation for our safe and sustainable practices with the environment and wildlife we work around
We partner with Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust to help protect our local environment and wildlife
Qualmark endorsed, the only Akaroa cruise operator with an Enviro-Gold award
We are Proud to be a Guardian Member of Sustainable Travel International. Together, we're creating a better future for destinations and the people who live there
Black Cat Cruises was voted the #1 experience out of the Top 100 Bucket List for Experience OZ + NZ
Consistently ranked in the top 10% of global attractions as a repeat winner of the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award.
Lonely Planet recognised our Swimming With Dolphins experience as one of the Top 10 Marine Mammal Experiences in the world
