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Southern Wanderer - Akaroa Scenic Wildlife Cruises
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
- View the dramatic Akaroa volcanic cliffs and coastline of Banks Peninsula only seen from the water
- Encounter a unique range of native flora and fauna from palm trees to penguins
- 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 vessel is comfortable, safe and fast, allowing us to get down the harbour quickly to spend more time in the marine reserve and beyond - when conditions allow.
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!
Meeting Location: Main Wharf, Beach Road, Akaroa, Canterbury
Departures: Morning departure is at 9.30am, afternoon departure is at 12pm (the later trip allows connection with shuttle services for a day-trip from Christchurch).
Check-In Time: Please make sure to arrive at the boat beside the main wharf at least 5 minutes prior to departure.
Wed 28 Oct
Thu 29 Oct
Fri 30 Oct
Sat 31 Oct
Sun 1 Nov
Mon 2 Nov
Tue 3 Nov
2spaces priced from:
- Adult$55.00
- Child$30.00
3spaces priced from:
- Adult$55.00
- Child$30.00
6spaces priced from:
- Adult$65.00
- Child$60.00
6spaces priced from:
- Adult$75.00
- Child$30.00
4spaces priced from:
- Adult$55.00
- Child$30.00
6spaces priced from:
- Adult$85.00
- Child$60.00
4spaces priced from:
- Adult$55.00
- Child$20.00
7spaces priced from:
- Adult$65.00
- Child$60.00
6spaces priced from:
- Adult$55.00
- Child$30.00
6spaces priced from:
- Adult$85.00
- Child$60.00
4spaces priced from:
- Adult$45.00
- Child$30.00
Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme
Some views from the tour!
Jenna from Canada
Some views from the tour!
Jenna from Canada
Some views from the tour!
Jenna from Canada
Small groups add that more personal touch
Anthony from NZ
Small groups add that more personal touch
Anthony from NZ
Great Experience
rachelm from NZ
Great Experience
rachelm from NZ
Akaroa Harbour
Kelly from NZ
Akaroa Harbour
Kelly from NZ
excellent trip by southern wanderer
manujayap from NZ
excellent trip by southern wanderer
manujayap from NZ
excellent trip by southern wanderer
manujayap from NZ
Akaroa harbour cruise
annew8 from NZ
Akaroa harbour cruise
annew8 from NZ
Akaroa harbour cruise
annew8 from NZ
A lovely day cruising the bay
lize3 from Germany
A lovely day cruising the bay
lize3 from Germany
A lovely day cruising the bay
lize3 from Germany
Great experience
joshuas6 from NZ
Great experience
joshuas6 from NZ
Great experience
joshuas6 from NZ
This is a MUST!
canelaf from NZ
This is a MUST!
canelaf from NZ
Just fabulous!
louiseb2 from France
Fantastic!
Natalie Burke from Australia
Fantastic!
Natalie Burke from Australia
Awesome cruise
chloem2 from France
Simply stunning
Jasmin Mita from NZ
Simply stunning
Jasmin Mita from NZ
Simply stunning
Jasmin Mita from NZ
Scenic experience
kayb1 from NZ
Scenic experience
kayb1 from NZ
Scenic experience
kayb1 from NZ
Incredible scenery and fantastic crew.
Yanica from NZ
Incredible scenery and fantastic crew.
Yanica from NZ
Spectacular Morning!!
petriah from NZ
Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme
Showing all 114 authenticated Bookme reviews
Anthony from New Zealand wrote on 23 February 2020
Small groups add that more personal touch
Family owned business - your guides will take you out into the harbour and offer you a more personalised and tailored wildlife adventure. Highly recommend if you want to see the wildlife and sights of Akoroa at your own pace.
rachelm from New Zealand wrote on 29 January 2020
Great Experience
We went out on a very calm, overcast day and were lucky enough to sight about 5 or 6 pods of dolphins, including one swimming straight under the boat near the surface. Loved the small group, very knowledgeable and friendly guides. It felt more like friends were taking us out for a few hours. Would highly recommend to anyone thinking of a wildlife cruise.
Kelly from New Zealand wrote on 30 December 2019
Great tour-Highlight was seeing Hector Dolphins!!!
We had a beautiful time on the tour, great guides local family business, small numbers on the boat, making the experience very personally and very enjoyable. John is very knowledgeable and makes the trip very easy going and fun. Their son is obviously very experienced and comfortable on the water. I would highly recommend this tour to all who want to get out on the water and enjoy the wildlife to be seen.
manujayap from New Zealand wrote on 27 October 2019
excellent trip by southern wanderer
had a excellent trip. excellent service by john and his son by Southern Wanderer group. really appreciate their service. recommend to everyone
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10:00 a.m.Thursday 13 July
Spaces Left
Adult
Child
*Option must be made together with another price type.
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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.
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Jenna from Canada wrote on 26 February 2020
Fun Boat Tour, Super Nice Staff
We had so much fun on this tour and the family that runs it is so friendly and makes you feel very welcomed! They were very informative of all the species and animals we saw! I was a super fun time and we saw lots of penguins which was super cool! Would highly recommend this tour as there can only be a few passengers so you get to see and experience a lot more than on a bigger boat!
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