Black Cat Cruises · 61 Beach Road, Akaroa
Black Cat has run wildlife cruises on Akaroa Harbour for decades, and this is its classic: two hours on a big catamaran out to the sea cliffs at the heads and back. Pick it for the timetable and the price: up to three sailings a day, the lowest Viator fare in town, and a free voucher to go again if the dolphins don't show.
Black Cat Cruises sails its nature cruise at 10:45 am and 1:30 pm every day, with an extra 3:45 pm trip from December to March. You check in at the Black Cat office at 61 Beach Road, where the company moved on 1 May 2026 while the Main Wharf is rebuilt. The boat is the Canterbury Cat, a catamaran with an indoor cabin and two viewing levels. The route runs down the harbour past the salmon farm and the bays to the volcanic cliffs and sea caves at the entrance.
Wildlife is the point. Hector's dolphins, the smallest marine dolphin in the world and found only in New Zealand, feed in the harbour all year, and Black Cat claims a 98% sighting rate on this cruise. You also see New Zealand fur seals hauled out on the rocks, white-flippered penguins on the water if you're lucky, and colonies of shags. The skipper's commentary covers the geology, the Māori and French history, and the dolphins' conservation story. Tea, coffee and hot chocolate are free on board, and Viator adds a postcard.
Two caveats. No one can promise wild dolphins: if you see none, Black Cat gives you a free re-cruise voucher for another day, not your money back. And the boat is bigger than the Akaroa Dolphins catamaran, so on busy summer sailings you share the rail with a crowd. Black Cat's own site says the Canterbury Cat is not wheelchair accessible right now, whatever the Viator listing says. Booking direct costs NZ$130 per adult and NZ$60 per child; Viator lists it from $76 in US dollars.
The Black Cat office, a short walk from the boats. Black Cat asks for 20 minutes; the Viator listing says 30, so aim for 30.
Pick your spot early. Upper deck for photos, the cabin if it's cold or rough.
Commentary on the volcano, the bays and the salmon farm while the crew scans for dolphins.
Fur seals on the rocks below the sea cliffs, shags on the ledges, and often dolphins around the hulls.
Tea or hot chocolate on the way back to town, two hours after you left.
★★★★★Fresh sea air, pristine water, wildlife in their natural habitat and a crew that has just the right mix of information and humour [...] We learned some history, heard beautiful Te Reo Māori and saw Hector dolphins, seals, sea birds and scenes that looked like they were from the movies.
★★★★★We saw many Hector dolphins-even a young calf, a couple of Fairy Penguins and, a mama fur seal with her baby!! The Trifecta! The area is beautiful too. Highly recommend!
★★★★★Free cuppa on board. A bit chilly but many blankets about boat to use. We saw dolphins seals penguins.
★★★★★Great 2h trip only problem had was getting pushed around (not that its the fault of the vendor), find a good spot when get on boat and try not to move [...]
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Black Cat gives you a free re-cruise voucher to join another nature cruise on a different day. It is not a refund. Some reseller pages still mention older partial refunds; Black Cat's own site no longer offers them.
At 10:45 am and 1:30 pm all year, plus 3:45 pm from December to March. The cruise lasts two hours. Check in at 61 Beach Road beforehand.
Black Cat has more sailings, a bigger boat with a cabin and the lower price. Akaroa Dolphins is smaller (35 guests at most) and includes a glass of wine or beer. Our side-by-side comparison goes through both.
Direct, NZ$130 per adult and NZ$60 per child aged 5 to 15; under-5s are free. Viator lists it from $76 in US dollars, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Ready to book
Akaroa's original nature cruise: two hours to the harbour heads, hot drinks on board, and a free re-cruise voucher if no dolphins show.
Akaroa Dolphins Harbour Nature CruiseThe most-reviewed cruise in Akaroa: a family catamaran, 35 guests at most, a boat dog and a glass of wine.★ 5.0 · 2 hours · from $81
Fox II Sailing & Wildlife CruiseA 1922 kauri ketch under sail: dolphins, seals and sea caves with the engine off. Summer and autumn only.★ 4.9 · 2 h 45 min · from $84
Swim with Dolphins Day Trip from ChristchurchCoach from Christchurch, a dolphin swim in a 5 mm wetsuit, then cheese at Barrys Bay. October to April only.★ 3.8 · 9 hours · from $224