Booking choice: The Akaroa Dolphins cruise, from $81 per person. Check dates Tour details
Most of Akaroa's wildlife trips take children, and some take babies. The limits sit in different places: no prams on one boat, a minimum age of 8 for the dolphin swim, 10 for the kayak, and an alpaca farm you can only reach by car.
Here is every tour by age, what children pay, and how to fit a family day around a toddler's nap.
The quick answer
Babies and toddlers: the Akaroa Dolphins cruise (pushchairs welcome, NZ$30 for under-5s) or Black Cat (under-5s free, but no prams on board). Ages 5 to 15 pay NZ$60 to NZ$70 on the cruises. Kids can swim with dolphins from age 8, with an adult swimmer beside them until 12. The Shamarra alpaca farm ($36, 1 hour) suits all ages but needs a car. For penguins, take the evening tour to Flea Bay.
Which Akaroa tours suit which ages?
Cruises suit every age, the alpaca farm from toddlers up, the Fox II from about 6, the dolphin swim from 8 and the sunrise kayak from 10.
Ages and fares from the operators' sites and the Viator listings:
| Tour | Youngest age | Child fare | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akaroa Dolphins cruise | Newborns | NZ$70 (5 to 15); NZ$30 under 5 | Babies, toddlers, prams |
| Black Cat cruise | Any age, no prams | NZ$60 (5 to 15); under 5 free | Budget families |
| Fox II sailing | Any age | NZ$70 (6 to 15); 5 and under free | Kids 6+ who like boats, Dec to May |
| Shamarra alpaca farm | Toddlers | Child band 3 to 15 on Viator | All ages, self-drive |
| Black Cat dolphin swim | 8 to swim; 2 to 5 watch free | NZ$220 (8 to 15) | Strong swimmers, Oct to Apr |
| Swim day trip | 8 | Child band 8 to 13 | Families without a car |
| Sunrise kayak | 10, with an adult | Same as adult on Viator | Active older kids; non-refundable |
| Sheep farm excursion | Any age | Child band 3 to 14 | Cruise-ship families |
Pushchairs welcome, a cookie for everyone and a dog on the bow: the family cruise.
Check dates for the Akaroa Dolphins cruiseCan babies and toddlers go on a dolphin cruise in Akaroa?
Yes. Akaroa Dolphins welcomes newborns and has room for pushchairs; Black Cat takes babies free but asks you to leave the pram at check-in.
Akaroa Dolphins says in its FAQ that it welcomes passengers from newborns up, carries life jackets in every size and has indoor and outdoor seating. There is a toilet on board, small but useful. Infants pay NZ$30 direct; on Viator they sit on a lap.
Black Cat charges nothing for under-5s, which makes it the cheaper boat for families with toddlers. Its cruise page says prams are not allowed on board for safety; storage is available at check-in and a front pack is recommended. Both cruises last two hours, about the limit of a toddler's patience, and the cabins are warm. The two boats side by side: Black Cat vs Akaroa Dolphins.
Under-5s ride free, with hot chocolate on board and a free re-cruise if the dolphins hide.
Explore the Black Cat nature cruise Tour detailsHow old do kids have to be to swim with dolphins in Akaroa?
Eight. Children 8 to 12 need an adult swimming with them; 12 to 16-year-olds need an adult on the boat. Every swimmer must manage 50 m unaided in open sea.
Black Cat charges NZ$220 for swimmers aged 8 to 15, NZ$180 for a spectator, and lets children 2 to 5 watch for free. There are no life jackets in the water and it's 15 to 30 m deep, so a child who has only swum in pools may find it hard. The water is about 11 C in October and 16 C in February: a 5 mm wetsuit is supplied, and small kids still get cold fast.
Our advice: test them in the sea before you book, and pick January to March. Full rules in swimming with dolphins in Akaroa.
Ages 8 and up, wetsuits included: the dolphin swim day from Christchurch, October to April.
Check dates for the dolphin swim day tripIs the alpaca farm worth it with kids?
Yes, for any age. An hour feeding and cuddling about 170 alpacas on a hill above the harbour, for $36, rated 4.9. You need a car to get there.
Shamarra Alpacas sits at 328 Wainui Main Road on the far side of the harbour, about half an hour's drive from Akaroa. The farm is stroller-accessible, the tour lasts about an hour, and it ends with drinks and homemade cookies. A 5-star guest: "Absolutely wonderful experience with the kids! Super friendly Alapacas and very cute haha." Another: "We saw a newborn (3 hours old) and We then got to go pet and cuddle with the Alpacas, which was a ton of fun."
No transport is included. Without a car, skip it: guests arriving by cruise ship report there were no taxis to take them there.
Feed and cuddle the alpacas on a hillside above the harbour: one hour, all ages, cookies at the end.
Explore the alpaca farm tour Tour detailsWhere can kids see penguins near Akaroa?
On the evening tour to Pōhatu (Flea Bay), home to the largest white-flippered penguin colony on mainland New Zealand. The harbour cruises sometimes spot penguins too.
Pōhatu Penguins runs its evening tour from its office at 8 Rue Balguerie in a 4WD minibus over the hills to Flea Bay, a family-run conservation site. Kids walk through the colony, look into nesting boxes and feed rare-breed sheep. Fares on the booking listing run NZ$100 to NZ$125 for adults, NZ$80 to NZ$85 for children 5 to 15 and NZ$55 for ages 2 to 4. The trip takes about 3.5 hours and the start time moves with sunset.
It's a late night for small children, and the paths are muddy: sturdy shoes, no flash photos, and eat before you go, since restaurants may be shut when you get back. It isn't on Viator, so book direct.
Which boat trip is best for younger children?
Under 5: Akaroa Dolphins for the pram space, or Black Cat to save money. Ages 6 to 12: Fox II, where kids can help sail. Over 10: the sunrise kayak.
- Akaroa Dolphins: two hours, a cookie and a juice, and the dog on the bow who finds the dolphins. Small children love the dog more than the dolphins.
- Black Cat: bigger boat, more sailings, free for under-5s. Guests mention blankets on board for chilly days.
- Fox II: close to three hours on a 1922 ketch, December to May. A family ticket for two adults and two or three children under 15 costs NZ$355 direct.
- Sunrise kayak: 10 and up with an adult, 7:30 am, 3 hours, moderate fitness, and non-refundable. Only for keen, older kids.
What should kids wear and bring in Akaroa?
Warm layers, even in summer, plus hats, sunscreen and snacks. The wind on the water is colder than on shore.
- Layers: a fleece and a windproof jacket for the boat, even in January. Akaroa Dolphins keeps spare jackets on board.
- Sun: hats and sunscreen. The New Zealand sun burns fast, and the deck has little shade.
- Seasickness: ask a pharmacy for children's tablets before the trip; the crew can seat you where the boat moves least.
- Snacks and water: Akaroa is small and lunch spots fill on busy days.
- For the swim: togs, a towel and a warm top. There's no hot shower while the wharf is rebuilt.
- For penguins: sturdy shoes and a torch with red light, if you have one.
A free glass of wine for you, a cookie for them, and a dog on the bow for everyone.
Check dates for the Akaroa Dolphins cruiseHow do you plan a family day in Akaroa?
Cruise in the morning, lunch on the waterfront, alpacas in the afternoon. Stay the night if you want penguins.
A day that works with children aged 3 to 10:
- Morning: the 10:45 am Black Cat cruise, or the 12:45 pm Akaroa Dolphins sailing if you're driving from Christchurch.
- Lunch: the waterfront, then the playground by the beach or a look at the lighthouse.
- Afternoon: drive round the harbour to the alpaca farm, with a cheese stop at Barrys Bay on the way back. Or the Giant's House mosaic garden in town: NZ$20 for children 2 to 15.
- Evening, if staying over: the Pōhatu penguin tour.
Coming from Christchurch for the day? The day trip guide has the drive and the timings.
Akaroa's top-rated family cruise: newborns welcome, pushchairs on board, a cookie for every child.
Explore the Akaroa Dolphins cruise Tour detailsFrequently asked questions
Can a baby go on an Akaroa dolphin cruise?
Yes. Akaroa Dolphins welcomes newborns and has space for pushchairs, with infants at NZ$30. Black Cat takes under-5s free but doesn't allow prams on board.
What age can kids swim with dolphins in Akaroa?
From 8. Children 8 to 12 must have an adult swimming with them, and every swimmer must manage 50 m unaided in open sea without a life jacket.
Is Akaroa good for kids?
Yes. Dolphin cruises, fur seals, an alpaca farm, a penguin colony and a small, walkable town make it one of the easiest family day trips from Christchurch.
Do kids get a discount on Akaroa cruises?
Yes. Children 5 to 15 pay NZ$60 on Black Cat and NZ$70 on Akaroa Dolphins when you book direct, and under-5s ride free on Black Cat. Viator shows its own child prices at checkout.
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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.
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
