Education Information
New Zealand Education Programme
Black Cat Cruises has developed a New Zealand curriculum-approved education program aimed at educating and inspiring the younger generation.
We offer a Level 3 education program filled with intriguing facts and insights about New Zealand’s Hector’s dolphin and the marine environment we all cherish as Kiwis.
The program comes with a comprehensive nine-week lesson plan, available at no cost.
We have made this an online resource that is available to all NZ schools.
Study and Cruise
Bring your studies to life! For those based in Christchurch or Banks Peninsula, we can also arrange an in-class visit from a Black Cat Cruise Skipper. Additionally, enjoy a trip out on the waters of either Akaroa or Lyttelton Harbour to encounter the world’s rarest and smallest oceanic dolphin: the Hector’s dolphin.
Our curriculum-approved resources are fully aligned with the official New Zealand Curriculum guidelines, making it easy to integrate your voyage into a term-long study unit.
School & Education Trips
Step out of the classroom and onto the water! Our tailor-made school trips offer students a hands-on learning experience across Akaroa and Lyttelton Harbours. Whether you are exploring the rich wildlife, discovering the historic quarantine stations of Quail Island, or stepping into local history at Ripapa Island, we make coordinating your next school group excursion seamless and stress-free.
Black Cat Cruises offers school trips in Akaroa, and also Lyttelton – with options to visit Quail Island, Ripapa Island and Diamond Harbour.
Pricing
Before 30th September 2026
- Diamond Harbour – Schools & Groups Flyer 2025-26
- Quail Island – Schools & Groups Flyer 2025-26
- Ripapa Island – Schools & Groups Flyer 2025-26
From 1st October 2026 – 31 August 2027
- Diamond Harbour – Schools & Groups Flyer 2026-27
- Quail Island – Schools & Groups Flyer 2026-27
- Ripapa Island – Schools & Groups Flyer 2026-27
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
