Black Cat your personal Dolphin Experience in NZ

We are currently at Alert Level 2. All operations are working with safety measures in place.

Please note that once we transition to the new COVID Traffic Light System, we will need to verify your “My Vaccine Pass” on all our services. Check out our Covid-19 info page for more details.

STEP OUT OF YOUR WORLD AND DIVE IN TO OURS

EXPERIENCE

Experience cruising through an
extinct volcanic crater
full of wildlife

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AKAROA NATURE CRUISES

Journey through our culture and heritage to the historic French village of Akaroa, the gateway to our multi award-winning daily expeditions. Encounter the world's smallest and rarest dolphin, Hector’s dolphins, New Zealand fur seals, coastal birds and more as you cruise through the majestic surrounds of an extinct volcanic crater..

PRICEs

Adult $95
Child 5-15 years $40 (kids under 5 free)
Valid until September 2023

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BUY GIFT VOUCHER

ENCOUNTER

Encounter the world’s rarest
dolphin in the world’s
largest ocean

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SWIM WITH DOLPHINS

Dive into the blue water’s of Akaroa Harbour and encounter the world’s rarest dolphin, the Hector’s dolphin, on their terms. Voted by Lonely Planet as 1 of the top 10 marine mammal experiences in the world we invite you to join us for an unforgettable experience in the true wild. We offer a Hector's dolphin guarantee policy for every trip taken with us.

PRICEs

Adult $199 (spectator $99)
Child (8–15 years) $169 (spectator $69)
Valid until September 2023

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EXPLORE

Explore Quail Island’s timeless
landscape or Ripapa
Island’s historic heritage

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ISLAND ESCAPEs

Did you know Christchurch has two islands right on it's doorstep. Choose to escape to either Quail Island, offering a two hour loop walking track, shipwrecks, swimming beach and links to Antarctica, or escape to the little island with very big history, Ripapa Island. Both are just a 15 minute boat ride away and can only be booked directly with us.

PRICEs

Adult $30
Child 5-15 years $15 (kids under 5 free)
Valid until September 2022

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BUY GIFT VOUCHER

PROTECT
HECTOR'S DOLPHINS

Conservation is part of our DNA and protecting our special dolphins is just part of who we are. We continue to work with our key industry partners and the community to advocate for further protection for our rare native dolphin.

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 unspoilt destinations on Banks Peninsula.

Black Cat’s Charter Cruises make it possible for function and event organisers to create a dramatically different event – whether it’s for a social club group, function, conference delegate entertainment or something very special.

Discover our fantastic deals, promotions and special events on this brilliant page. We host awesome events in Akaroa and Lyttelton throughout the year along with a mix of ongoing deals and one-off specials. Don't miss out...

It shouldn’t be a matter of numbers in dollars when it comes to saving wildlife. We felt we could support the protection for these dolphins by highlighting their economic impact, alongside the importance of saving an endangered and endemic species.

Escape to Akaroa with the family and experience a fascinating two hour Akaroa Nature Cruise. Departing daily it’s the perfect family day experience. Children must be accompanied by a full paying adult. Use code DECTHOLS20 at checkout.

AWARD WINNING ADVENTURES

For over a decade Black Cat has been recognised nationally and internationally with numerous tourism awards and are recognised as
New Zealand’s first true eco-tourism operator

Black Cat Cruises is approved by the Department of ConservaDon

Qualmark endorsed, the only Akaroa cruise operator with an Enviro-Gold award

Trip Advisor ‘Hall of Famer’ and CerDicate of Excellence recipient for the last 5 years

Black Cat Cruises made it onto the Top 100 Bucket List for Experience OZ + NZ

Recognised by our industry for our conservaDon eforts we proudly received this award in 2004

We currently hold the Dtle for number 1 wildlife acDvity in New Zealand as voted by thousands of Kiwis in the AA’s naDonal survey

Awarded by the Dept of ConservaDon for our safe and sustainable pracDces with the environment and wildlife we work around

We are listed in the 2014 guide as one of the Top 10 Marine Mammal Experiences in the world for our Akaroa dolphin swim experience!

AWARD WINNING ADVENTURES

For over a decade Black Cat has been recognised nationally and internationally with numerous tourism awards and are recognised as
New Zealand’s first true eco-tourism operator

Trip Advisor ‘Hall of Fame’ and Certificate of Excellence recipient for the last 10 years

Black Cat Cruises is both permitted and approved by the Department of Conservation

Qualmark endorsed, the only Akaroa cruise operator with an Enviro-Gold award

Current conservation award holders and 2019 winner of the conservation award from The New Zealand Tourism Awards

Black Cat Cruises was voted the #1 experience out of the Top 100 Bucket List for Experience OZ + NZ

We currently hold the title for number 1 wildlife activity in New Zealand as voted by thousands of Kiwis in the AA’s national survey

Awarded by the Dept of Conservation for our safe and sustainable practices with the environment and wildlife we work around

Lonely Planet recognised our Swimming With Dolphins experience as one of the Top 10 Marine Mammal Experiences in the world

DISCOVER THE UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURES
THAT BANKS PENINSULA HAS TO OFFER

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ABOUT US

The award winning Black Cat Group is internationally recognised as one of New Zealand’s tourism industry success stories and an eco-tourism pioneer. We were the first to offer cruises in Akaroa and we are recognised as New Zealand’s very first eco-tourism operator.

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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.

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