Adventure by Nature · Governors Bay, Christchurch
Adventure by Nature, a family firm based in Governors Bay, takes up to eight guests from Christchurch to Akaroa the long way round: morning tea on the stony beach at Birdlings Flat, three hours in Akaroa, and the back roads home. Pick it for the guiding and the lunch, and budget extra if you want the dolphin cruise.
Adventure by Nature is a family-owned, Qualmark Gold operator from Governors Bay on the Christchurch side of the Port Hills. This day starts at 7:30 am in a branded white car or minivan, with eight guests at most. The listed route runs to Birdlings Flat (20 minutes, morning tea on the beach), then Akaroa for three hours, then Little River, the Kaituna Valley Scenic Reserve, and the Sign of the Bellbird on the Summit Road before the drop-off in Christchurch.
Lunch, snacks and coffee or tea are included, and the operator can cater for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets. In Akaroa you choose how to spend the three hours. The dolphin cruise is optional and not in the price: if you want it, book or ask about it when you reserve, and expect to pay for the ticket on top (Black Cat's adult fare is NZ$130 direct). The alternative many take is the Giant's House mosaic garden, also extra.
At $337 per person in US dollars this is the priciest shared tour on the page, so weigh what you get: a real guide rather than a driver, a small group, food all day and a route most coaches skip. Only five reviews so far, all five stars, and they talk about calm, knowledgeable guides who take questions on Māori history and make detours on request. Cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. If you mainly want the dolphins on a budget, the swim day trip or a cruise you reach yourself costs less.
Your guide meets you in a white branded car or minivan.
Morning tea on the shingle beach facing the open Pacific.
Lunch, then your choice: the dolphin cruise (extra), the Giant's House (extra), or a walk along the waterfront.
A stop in the small village at the foot of the hills.
A short walk in the scenic reserve's native bush.
A view from the Summit Road over the plains, then back to Christchurch.
★★★★★Wonderful, relaxed day traveling to Akaroa with several stops along the way. [...] We loved the morning tea stop. He shared information about the Māori and easily fielded our general geopolitical questions. Great viewpoints.
★★★★★Alan was a fantastic guide on our day trip to Akaroa. He was very knowledgeable about the area and answered any questions we had and accommodated any little detours we wanted to make. The views were spectacular. He also provided a tasty lunch and snacks.
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No. The cruise is optional and paid separately. Lunch, snacks, hot drinks, the guide and transport are included. Our day trip guide lists which Christchurch tours do include a cruise.
Eight at most. The operator keeps its day tours to between 2 and 8 guests.
Pickup is at 7:30 am in Christchurch, and the whole day takes 7 to 8 hours, so expect to be back mid to late afternoon.
Yes. The listing says they can cater for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets. Tell them when you book.
Ready to book
Up to eight guests, a guide, lunch and the back roads of Banks Peninsula, with an optional dolphin cruise.
Private Akaroa Day Tour from ChristchurchYour own driver-guide from Christchurch to Akaroa. No cruise included: add one yourself and the guide plans around it.★ 5.0 · 7 to 8 hours · from $154
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
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