Things to Do in Akaroa 2026: Cruises, Penguins & Walks

Booking choice: The Akaroa Dolphins cruise, from $81 per person. Check dates Compare the options below

Akaroa village is small. The harbour is huge by comparison, and the peninsula around it has a penguin colony, regenerating native forest and a private multi-day coastal track.

This is our pick of what to do, starting with the best.

The quick answer

Start with a dolphin cruise: the Akaroa Dolphins cruise is the most reviewed tour in town, with a 5.0 rating. Add the Shamarra alpaca farm or a stargazing tour, walk to the Giant's House and the museum, and if you stay the night, take the evening penguin tour to Pōhatu. Swim with dolphins from 1 October to the end of April.

What is the best thing to do in Akaroa?

A two-hour harbour nature cruise. The Akaroa Dolphins cruise is rated 5.0 from 2,293 reviews and sees Hector's dolphins on most trips.

The boats run to the harbour heads, past sea caves and fur seal colonies, and back. Black Cat runs the bigger catamaran every day except Christmas. We compare them in Akaroa dolphin cruises compared.

A small tour boat near a sea cave with fur seals on the rocks — Sea caves and seal colonies line the outer harbour.

Only one tour in your plan? Make it the Akaroa Dolphins cruise, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Check dates for the Akaroa Dolphins cruise

Can you sail or kayak on Akaroa Harbour?

Yes: the Fox II sailing trip takes 2 hours 45 minutes, and guided sea kayaks go out at 7:30 am.

Fox II leaves Daly's Wharf and is rated 4.9. Guests report the yacht once belonged to Peter Blake. The sunrise kayak safari ($89) paddles under the cliffs in the calm of early morning. It is non-refundable and cannot be changed, so book it once your dates are fixed.

A two-masted sailing boat below a towering grey sea cliff — Under sail, the cliffs at the heads feel even bigger.

Can you swim with dolphins in Akaroa?

Yes, from 1 October to the end of April, with Black Cat Cruises. You must be 8 or older and able to swim 50 metres unaided.

Swims are never guaranteed, and Black Cat gives no refund for a swim that does not happen. From Christchurch, the dolphin swim day adds the coach. Details in swimming with dolphins in Akaroa.

Where can you see penguins near Akaroa?

At Pōhatu (Flea Bay), over the hill from Akaroa, where Pōhatu Penguins runs evening tours to a white-flippered penguin colony.

The tour picks you up in Akaroa by 4WD and crosses the old volcano rim; you watch from hides, with no flash and no lights. Mid-October to mid-December is best, when there are eggs and chicks; June to August is 50/50. The operator says "we can't always guarantee they will come ashore". Times follow sunset, so check the Pōhatu tour page. Eat first in summer.

A young New Zealand fur seal sitting on brown rocks — Fur seals are common on the rocks around the outer bays.

What is there to do with kids in Akaroa?

Hand-feed alpacas at Shamarra, take a cruise with a boat dog, and spot seals at the heads.

The Shamarra alpaca farm tour lasts an hour, costs from $36 and sits high above Wainui, across the harbour. One parent wrote it was "A huge hit with our 19 month old." Another guest remembered "the scary drive up the dirt road", so take it slowly.

Alpacas grazing on a green hilltop above a blue harbour — Shamarra's alpacas graze high above Akaroa Harbour.

Travelling with children? An hour with the alpacas, with raincoats lent on wet days, guests report.

★ 4.9 138 reviews · 1 hour · from $36

Explore the Shamarra alpaca farm tour

Is stargazing in Akaroa worth it?

Yes. The Akaroa stargazing tour gives you two telescopes, blankets and hot drinks, in a group of ten at most.

It meets at Akaroa Heritage Park on Long Bay Road, a five-minute drive from town, and lasts 1.5 hours. It is rated 5.0. One first-timer wrote: "They made the experience very comfortable with blankets, hot drinks and comfy chairs."

The Orion Nebula as a glowing cloud of gas among stars — Deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula come into view through the telescopes.

What are the best sights in Akaroa village?

The Giant's House, the Akaroa Museum and the lighthouse, all within walking distance.

The Giant's House, 68 Rue Balguerie: Josie Martin's mosaic garden around an 1880 house, a six-star Garden of International Significance. Open 11 am to 4 pm from October to April, to 3 pm in winter.
The Akaroa Museum: the Langlois-Eteveneaux House of about 1846, plus the old Court House and Customs House. General admission costs nothing.
The Akaroa Lighthouse: first lit at the heads in 1880, moved in sections to Lighthouse Point on Beach Road in 1980.

On history: Akaroa was never a French colony. A British captain raised the flag at Green's Point on 11 August 1840, and the French settlers landed on 19 August, per Heritage New Zealand.

Planning a village day? Black Cat sails from 61 Beach Road on the waterfront, every day bar Christmas.

Check dates for the Black Cat nature cruise

Where can you walk or ride on Banks Peninsula?

Hinewai Reserve for native forest, the Banks Peninsula Track for a multi-day coastal walk, and guided e-bike rides into the hills.

Hinewai Reserve is 1,250 ha of regenerating native forest east of Akaroa, open to walkers at no charge, at their own risk. The private Banks Track runs from Ōnuku to Flea Bay (11 km, 4 to 6 hours) and on to Stony Bay, from October to April. Guided e-bike tours leave from the main street and climb into the hills for views back over the harbour.