Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruises (Black Cat Cruises)

Cruise around an extinct volcanic crater, see the world's smallest dolphins, penguins and seals all in stunning scenery. Cruises are narrated by your skipper. Operated by award winning Black Cat.

Qualmark - 100% Pure Assurance

Whether you're looking for places to stay, things to do or ways to getting around, the Qualmark provides the quality assurance you need. Qualmark assured businesses can be found across New Zealand.

When you see the Qualmark it means that those businesses have been independently assessed against a set of national quality standards. It identifies professional and trustworthy businesses so you can book and buy with confidence.

Great Places to Stay

Whether you're looking for a luxury hotel, a family motel, a budget backpacker, a homely bed & breakfast, a holiday home or a spacious holiday park, the Qualmark identifies quality assured accommodation suitable for any type of traveller.

Accommodation providers have undergone a rigorous assessment and licensing process to become part of the Qualmark licensing system. They will meet your essential requirements of cleanliness, safety, security and comfort; and offer a range and quality of services appropriate to their star grade. Accommodation providers are also assessed on environment performance.

The star grading and classification system applies to accommodation. The Qualmark gives you details on both the accommodation category and their star grading. When you see a Qualmark Enviro Award logo it identifies their level of environmental performance.

Things to Do & Ways to Get Around

If you're looking for things to do and ways to get around, Qualmark endorsed visitor services, transport and visitor activities are the smartest choice, from abseiling to yachting, art galleries to wilderness walks, to tour buses.

Businesses that carry the Qualmark have met quality standards in safety, facilities, equipment, customer service and more. You can count on them to deliver a quality experience. Qualmarked businesses are also assessed on environmental performance. Look for the Qualmark Enviro Award logo for top performers in this area.

Qualmark Enviro Awards

All tourism businesses with a Qualmark logo have been assessed on their environmental performance; meaning that they have met a set of benchmark criteria and actions. These include the completion of environmental review and action plans, recycling options, and other initiatives.

The Qualmark Enviro Awards recognise those businesses that go beyond the benchmark. By demonstrating a commitment to being the best possible advocate within the community and continuing to minimise their environmental impact and resource usage; they earn the right to display and use an Enviro Gold, Silver or Bronze logo.

For you, recognising top performing Qualmark Enviro businesses is easy. Look for the Enviro Award logos on online listings and in other promotional material such as guide books and brochures. This is part of New Zealand tourism's commitment to looking after New Zealand for future generations to continue to enjoy.

Find out more about Qualmark on www.qualmark.co.nz

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Contact us by

  • Phone +64 3 304 7641
volcanic cliffs Akaroa Harbour

About

Depart the charming historic French township of Akaroa, just 90 minutes from Christchurch, aboard the large modern catamaran, Black Cat, into the sweeping scenic splendour of Akaroa Harbour. Enjoy your skipper’s fascinating commentary as you discover playful, rare New Zealand Hector's dolphins, fur seals, penguins and many other kinds of sea birds.

Visit the startling volcanic formation of Cathedral Cave, and see everything from relics of the area’s Maori and colonial past to a modern working salmon farm of today. Two hour cruises depart daily from the Main Wharf.

Opening times

  • Business hours: 8.30am-5pm, 7 days.
  • Months of operation: All months of the year

Facilities and Features

  • Proximity to airport: 90 minutes from Christchurch Airport
  • Proximity to coach terminal: 5 minutes walk from central Akaroa
  • Proximity to town: 5 minutes walk from central Akaroa

Physical address

Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruises (Black Cat Cruises), Main Wharf, Beach Road, Akaroa, Christchurch - Canterbury, 7520, New Zealand.

Pricing and Conditions

Adult $69.00 - $69.00
  • Other charges: Under 5's are free
  • Further pricing information: subject to weather conditions

Language support

  Written Spoken
French Yes No
Chinese (Traditional) Yes No
German Yes No
Japanese Yes No
Spanish Yes No

Contact us by

  • Phone +64 3 304 7641
  • Freephone 0800 436 574
  • Fax +64 3 304 7643

Our authors

  • Paul Bingham

    Paul Bingham

    I am 42 years old, I have 2 children and live near the beach in Christchurch. I am currently the Managing Director of Black Cat Cruises. We operate harbour and nature cruise and swimming with dolphins in one of the most beautiful regions of Canterbury called Akaroa and Lyttelton. I am also the Chairman of the board for CCT and on the board of directors for Air New Zealand. I love to play golf, travel and eat out at some of our amazing restaurants we have in Christchurch.

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