• travel_explore
    Christchurch Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!
    tune
  • image_search
    Search Christchurch... Experiences, attractions, dining & more

Southern Wanderer - Akaroa Scenic Wildlife Cruises

4.9
157
Join Southern Wanderer for an unforgettable early morning or midday cruise along Akaroa's picturesque Banks Peninsula coast!

Join Southern Wanderer for an unforgettable early morning or midday cruise along Akaroa's picturesque Banks Peninsula coast!

Highlights

  • Small groups of 8 passengers max allowing for a more private cruise
  • Enjoy the sailing and viewing the spectacular views of the Akaroa Harbour.
  • Encounter a unique range of wildlife.
  • Enjoy friendly conversation with our family crew - we love answering your questions
  • 100% local New Zealand family owned and operated

A haven for wildlife and boasting wonderful photography opportunities, Banks Peninsula is an absolute must-see for anyone in the region. Our sailing vessel is a 33-foot MRX yacht. The yacht sails very well and is responsive, making this tour a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly way to enjoy Akaroa Harbour.

We’ll uncover dramatic views of the peninsula’s volcanic formations, spectacular cliffs, caves and coastal scenery. Throughout the cruise, we’ll pass sites of national historic significance and discuss events that helped shape New Zealand as a British colony in the 19th century.

We carry a maximum of 8 passengers, ensuring your trip is a personalised and uncrowded experience. Your friendly and highly experienced skipper and guide have an abundance of knowledge about the area and will share this with you along the way.

If you have any specific points of interest please let us know as we do our best to tailor the trips to suit the interests of our passengers.

You won't want to leave Akaroa without doing this cruise!

Looking for a smaller unique tour? Check out the Private Group Tour here!

Per Person $95.00 (15+ years)

What's included

  • Easy to use binoculars are available to all passengers

Duration

  • Approximately 2.5 hours

Location

  • Main Wharf
  • Beach Road
  • Akaroa
  • Canterbury

Restrictions

  • Minimum age: 15
  • For safety reasons a basic understanding of English is mandatory for all passengers on our cruises.

    No previous sailing experience is required.

    Passengers must have a good level of mobility.

Bad Weather Refunds

  • If your experience is cancelled by the operator (because of the weather or anything else out of your control) you will be entitled to a full refund.

Notes

  • Meeting Location: Main Wharf, Beach Road, Akaroa, Canterbury

    Departures: Morning departure is at 9.00am, afternoon departure is at 12.00pm (the later trip allows connection with shuttle services for a day-trip from Christchurch).

    Check-In Time: Please make sure to arrive at the meeting place, at the far end of the blue building on the main wharf, at least 15 minutes prior to departure.

    Please Note: Our trips are approximately 2.5 hours duration, allow a little longer for the complete experience. Please let us know when boarding if you have a particular time constraint.

    Passengers must have a good level of mobility.

    Passengers must be 15 years of age or older.

    Trips are weather dependent and require a minimum of 4 persons booked to proceed.

Available Bookings from 1 Dec to 14 Dec 2024

Change Dates

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Sun 1 Dec
Mon 2 Dec
Tue 3 Dec
Wed 4 Dec
Thu 5 Dec
Fri 6 Dec
Sat 7 Dec
Sun 8 Dec
Mon 9 Dec
Tue 10 Dec
Wed 11 Dec
Thu 12 Dec
Fri 13 Dec
Sat 14 Dec

  • Per Person$75.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per Person$55.00

  • Per Person$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per Person$95.00

  • Per Person$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per Person$75.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per Person$65.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per Person$75.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per Person$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per Person$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per Person$95.00

  • Per Person$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per Person$75.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per Person$65.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per Person$75.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per Person$95.00

  • Per Person$65.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per Person$75.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per Person$75.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per Person$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per Person$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per Person$75.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per Person$95.00

  • Per Person$65.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per Person$75.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per Person$75.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per Person$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per Person$55.00 Less than 6 at this price!

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

4.9

157 reviews

Showing all 157 authenticated Bookme reviews

andyl17 from New Zealand wrote on 14 January 2024

Sailing akaroa

Awesome experience - amazing wildlife. Well run excursion by a lovely couple

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

hsinanl from Taiwan wrote on 07 March 2024

Great

Great

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

Catherine Watson from United Kingdom wrote on 08 February 2024

Amazing sailing with dolphins and penguins

Great sailing experience! We managed to spot lots of dolphins and a few blue penguins too! There were only 5 guests on the boat so felt almost like a private tour. Would recommend!

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

nicolea15 from United Arab Emirates wrote on 09 February 2024

Cruise lasted longer than expected

It was a new experience for me. We got the 12nn slot so naturally we got tanned after the cruise. Tip to bring gloves and high socks to keep your body even toned. We saw dolphins and some birds during the cruise. Also saw some greens. I was happy to see how a sail boat is operated and had a good time. I just felt it go be quite longer than expected.

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

Ingrid from Netherlands wrote on 08 February 2024

Helaas niet gezeild

Helaas niet gezeild en daarvoor hadden we deze trip geboekt, wel dolfijnen gezien.

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

close

Qualmark Certification

This award identifies a business with a high level of professionalism, a keen awareness of the impact it has on the environment and a commitment to a customer centric approach.

This award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure the business's focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create genuine, constantly evolving and sustainable tourism experiences.

This award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand. It denotes exceptional customer experiences at the heart of everything the company does. This business is leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.

When you see the Qualmark logo, your activity of choice is endorsed by New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation and backed by leaders in the industry. It's your trusted guide to iconic activities and experiences that are awarded for their exceptionally high level of quality, safety and sustainability.

Sample menu

close
delete

Delete your content?

This item will be deleted immediately. You can't undo this action.