Booking choice: The sheep farm shore excursion, from $67 per person. Check dates Tour details
Akaroa is a tender port. There is no berth for cruise ships, so they anchor in the harbour and run passengers ashore by tender. While the Main Wharf is being rebuilt, the tenders land at Drummonds Jetty, a short walk from the waterfront, the dolphin boats and the cafés.
The ships that still call are mostly small and expensive, and the town fills quickly when one is in. Here is what fits into a day ashore, and why we'd stay in Akaroa rather than spend it on a coach to Christchurch.
The quick answer
Tenders land at Drummonds Jetty during the wharf works. With 6 to 10 hours ashore, a two-hour dolphin cruise (Akaroa Dolphins or Black Cat, both a short walk from the jetty) plus the sheep farm excursion ($67, 2.5 hours, port pickup) fits easily. The Christchurch city tour ($84, 6 hours) spends much of its day on the coach. Book ahead on ship days, and keep at least an hour between your last activity and the final tender.
How does the tender landing in Akaroa work?
Your ship anchors in the harbour and its own tenders run you to Drummonds Jetty, a few minutes' walk from the town centre. No shuttle needed.
Akaroa has no cruise berth. During the Main Wharf rebuild, tenders use Drummonds Jetty, about 180 m north-east of the old wharf, which reopened in December 2024 with a 108 m floating pontoon. The Christchurch City Council aims to finish the new wharf in 2027.
Tenders run by ticket or group number, and the first hour is the busiest. Wind and swell can slow or stop them, which is why every booking below should leave slack at the end of the day. Updates on the works: the wharf rebuild post.
Which cruise ships call at Akaroa in 2026-27?
Only a handful, mostly small luxury and expedition ships: Silver Moon on 13 December 2026 and 26 January 2027, Seabourn Quest on 1 March 2027 and Hanseatic Spirit on 10 March 2027.
Akaroa took up to about 90 ships a season after the 2011 earthquakes damaged Lyttelton. Since Lyttelton opened its new cruise berth, most big ships dock there instead: about 60 calls in 2025-26. If your itinerary says Christchurch, check which port it means. Lyttelton is about 90 minutes from Akaroa by road.
Schedules move, so check CruiseMapper's Akaroa page a few weeks out, and see the ship days post for the full list.
Shearing, sheepdogs and scones on a family farm, with pickup at the port and back in 2.5 hours.
Check dates for the sheep farm shore excursionWhat fits between the first and last tender?
Most ships give 6 to 10 hours ashore. That fits a cruise and the sheep farm, or a cruise and a private history tour, without hurrying.
What each option takes, including check-in:
| Option | From | Time needed | Transport | Fits a day ashore? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akaroa Dolphins cruise | $81 | 2.5 hours | Walk from the jetty | Yes |
| Black Cat cruise | $76 | 2.5 hours | Walk to 61 Beach Road | Yes |
| Sheep farm excursion | $67 | 2.5 hours | Port pickup | Yes |
| Nature and history tour | $349 per group | 3 hours | Meet at 78 Rue Lavaud | Yes |
| Alpaca farm | $36 | 1 hour plus 2 drives | None: you need a car | Only with your own transport |
| Christchurch city tour | $84 | 6 hours | Port pickup, coach | Only on a long call |
The Black Cat dolphin swim (3.5 hours, October to April) also fits, booked direct with Black Cat; the Viator swim trip starts in Christchurch and won't work from a ship in Akaroa.
Should you stay in Akaroa or take the tour to Christchurch?
Stay in Akaroa. The Christchurch tour spends at least three hours of its six on the coach; Akaroa gives you the harbour, the dolphins and the village on foot.
The Banks Peninsula and Christchurch shore excursion ($84, 6 hours) drives you to the city past Lyttelton and Sumner, with time at the Botanic Gardens and the rebuilt centre. Guests rate it 3.8 from 228 reviews, and the complaints repeat: about 90 minutes each way on a good day, more with roadworks, and short stops in the city. It also needs six days' notice for a full refund.
Take it if you've never seen Christchurch and won't be back, and your ship stays long. Otherwise, a two-hour cruise and a farm visit give you more of New Zealand for less time in a seat.
What is the sheep farm shore excursion like?
A 2.5-hour trip from the port to a family sheep farm above the harbour: sheepdogs working a mob, a shearing demonstration and afternoon tea, for $67.
The sheep farm excursion collects you at the port, drives up to viewpoints over the harbour and spends most of its time on the farm. Groups are capped at 22. You give your ship's name and times when you book, and the times shift to match the ship. It carries a worry-free shore excursion guarantee and free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Guests rate it 4.5. One wrote: "It was fascinating to watch Hugh's dog do his job. Hugh explained a lot about the industry, the sheep and the wool. We were invited back to his yard where his wife had hot tea and scones with clotted cream and jam waiting for us."
Sheepdogs, a shearing demonstration and tea with scones on the farmhouse lawn, picked up from the tender landing.
Explore the sheep farm shore excursion Tour detailsCan you see dolphins on a cruise-ship day?
Yes, and it's the easiest thing to do from the tender: both cruise companies are a short walk from Drummonds Jetty. Book ahead, because ship days sell out.
Akaroa Dolphins tells tender passengers to walk to the end of Drummonds Jetty, turn right and look for the orange flags to collect boarding passes; its FAQ recommends the first tenders for the 10:15 am sailing. The 12:45 pm sailing is the safer pick if your tender time is uncertain. Black Cat checks in at 61 Beach Road for 10:45 am and 1:30 pm.
Both offer a free second trip if you see no dolphins, which doesn't help a passenger leaving at 6 pm. Sightings are high on both boats, but go in knowing that wild animals don't follow ship schedules. Black Cat vs Akaroa Dolphins compares the two.
Two hours on a small catamaran, a glass of local wine, and back on the jetty with time to spare.
Check dates for the Akaroa Dolphins cruiseWhat can you do on foot from the tender?
A lot: the waterfront, the lighthouse, the free Akaroa Museum, the Giant's House garden and the cafés of Rue Lavaud are all within a 15-minute walk.
- Akaroa Museum: free, 71 Rue Lavaud, 10:30 am to 4:30 pm in summer.
- The Giant's House: NZ$35 adults, 11 am to 4 pm from October to April, up a short, steep street.
- The lighthouse: on Cemetery Point at the end of the waterfront, built in 1880.
- Not on foot: the alpaca farm is across the harbour at Wainui, about half an hour by road, with no transport included. Cruise guests report there were no taxis to get them there. Don't book it without a hire car or a pre-arranged ride.
How much time should you leave before the last tender?
At least an hour. Tender queues build late in the day, and a delayed boat or a slow coach is your problem, not the ship's.
Our rule: plan to be back at Drummonds Jetty an hour before the last tender, longer on a windy day. Book the morning cruise and an early-afternoon farm visit rather than the other way round. Tours sold as shore excursions (the sheep farm and the Christchurch trip) build in the ship's times and carry a return guarantee; a cruise or museum visit you book yourself doesn't.
If the tenders are suspended for weather, your ship may skip Akaroa altogether. Book activities with free cancellation up to 24 hours before when you can, and leave the non-refundable sunrise kayak for a land holiday.
Akaroa's best-rated cruise, two hours from the jetty: dolphins, seals and the volcanic cliffs of the harbour heads.
Explore the Akaroa Dolphins cruise Tour detailsFrequently asked questions
Do you need a shuttle from the tender in Akaroa?
No. The tenders land at Drummonds Jetty during the wharf works, and the town centre, the cruise operators and the cafés are a short walk away.
Is the Christchurch shore excursion from Akaroa worth it?
Only on a long port call if you badly want to see Christchurch. It takes 6 hours with about 90 minutes or more on the coach each way, and guests rate it 3.8.
Can I swim with dolphins as a cruise passenger in Akaroa?
Yes, from October to April, if you book the 3.5-hour Black Cat swim direct and your hours ashore allow it. Leave a buffer: the swim is never guaranteed.
Are there taxis in Akaroa for cruise passengers?
Very few. Guests report they couldn't find any on ship days, so book tours with port pickup or stay within walking distance.
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Choose your trip
Cancellation terms are on each tour page. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
Shore Excursion: Harbour Views & Sheep Farm
Sheepdogs, shearing and scones, back before the ship sails
Akaroa Dolphins Harbour Nature Cruise
- Two-hour cruise to the harbour heads and back
- Skipper and guide commentary
- One drink: beer, New Zealand wine or a soft drink
Black Cat Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise
- Two-hour cruise with full commentary
- Tea, coffee or hot chocolate
- Free re-cruise voucher if no dolphins are seen
