Akaroa

Does anyone have any recommendations for private tour companies and tours?

Thanks

Akaroa is not a very big place and you may find the ship will book out any tours that are available.

Ships tours may be the only way , and they will sell out quickly.

Any local tour operators would have to come all the way over from Christchurch, and that would also add to the expense.

I've scheduled the Blackcat Harbour Cruise. It seems to be a good deal, about USD60.00. Here's the link to the source: http://www.blackcat.co.nz/akaroa-har...e-cruises.html

They appear to have a lot to offer at a good price. Their description:

"The highlight of this trip is undoubtedly the sighting of one of the world's smallest and rarest dolphins, the Hector's or New Zealand Dolphin. These friendly and inquisitive mammals meet the boat most days throughout the year and their calves can be seen between October and March. We have recently introduced a dolphin guarantee, if you do not see any dolphins on your trip you can return another day absolutely FREE!!.

Also on the trip you will catch glimpses of the White Flippered Blue Penguin, the smallest penguin in the world. There are many different bird species in the harbour, including five different cormorant (shag) species and the endangered yellow-eyed penguin.

You'll also see New Zealand Fur Seals sunning themselves on the rocks near Seal Bay.

We will stop at Lucas Bay to look at a salmon farm where thousands of salmon from fingerlings to adult fish are farmed in a series of cages. You will see them jumping as we approach the cages. This is where the world-famous 'Akaroa Salmon' is raised.

On each two-hour cruise we will endeavour to show you wildlife plus the many sea caves and volcanic cliffs. As Akaroa Harbour was a live volcano millions of years ago, there are many spectacular ancient lava flows to be seen. One cliff has a sheer 500-foot face and a fascinating history, while Nikau Palm Gully is the southernmost limit for these tropical palm trees. There is also the incredible Scenery Nook, an amazing pink, purple and red volcanic amphitheatre that will take your breath away."

Space is limited. The 11:00 am cruise is fully booked.

Greetings,

I've booked an alternate harbour cruise with:

http://www.akaroadolphins.co.nz/cruises.html

They were very friendly and helpful with my enquiry...

"Thank you for your enquiry regarding our Dolphin Cruises in Akaroa.

We offer an exclusive and intimate 2 hour Harbour Cruise on our luxurious” Into The Blue” catamaran.

We accommodate a small number of guests 40 maximum, so that you can enjoy a more intimate and personal cruise experience around this spectacular seascape including sea caves, high cliffs and volcanic rock formations.

Akaroa Harbour is host to amazing bird life and sea mammals, including the worlds smallest and rarest dolphins, the Hector's dolphin, which you will undoubtedly experience on our cruise. You should also see New Zealand fur seals, blue penguins, fascinating sea birds and marine salmon and paua farms.

Our local family history dates back to 1838 and as your hosts we will provide you with a personal insight into this region.

Complimentary award winning wine, beer, juice, soft drinks and fresh home baking all included.

Our cruise times are 10.15am, 12.45pm and 3.15pm.

The price for adults is $70.00NZD, children between 5 and 15 years $35.00NZD and under 5’s $20.00NZD.

If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me."

I've seen excellent reviews for both Akaroa Dolphins & Black Cat...

I also found these websites useful:

http://www.akaroa.com

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g285727-Activities-Akaroa_Canterbury_South_Island.htm

We are cruising in November and have booked the Eastern Bays Mail Run in Akaroa as recommended on Tripadvisor and on this site.

Apparently you go with the mailman on his mail run, the scenery is said to be wonderful and you get a morning tea etc.

We booked through the Akaroa I Site by email and they were great, quite prompt with replies. We did have to pay upfront but in comparison to some of the shore excursions offered it was a great deal.

We are cruising in November and have booked the Eastern Bays Mail Run in Akaroa as recommended on Tripadvisor and on this site.

Apparently you go with the mailman on his mail run, the scenery is said to be wonderful and you get a morning tea etc.

We booked through the Akaroa I Site by email and they were great, quite prompt with replies. We did have to pay upfront but in comparison to some of the shore excursions offered it was a great deal.

We will be in Akaroa 27 November. We are hoping to go on this Mail Run. What web site did you use to book? Thanks for the information.

We used this web site to book the Scenic Mail Run for our cruise in November. You need to email them with a request and they will reply telling you what you need to do to book the tour.

Akaroa's Eastern Bays Scenic Mail Run

I am so excited for this tour........have read many good reviews.

Carol

We used this web site to book the Scenic Mail Run for our cruise in November. You need to email them with a request and they will reply telling you what you need to do to book the tour.

 

Akaroa's Eastern Bays Scenic Mail Run

 

I am so excited for this tour........have read many good reviews.

 

Carol

Hi Carol,

Just a question about booking - do you need to pay in full upfront? We're considering this tour for our NZ cruise in January...seems like something a little less commercialised!

Hi Carol,

 

Just a question about booking - do you need to pay in full upfront? We're considering this tour for our NZ cruise in January...seems like something a little less commercialised!

The mail run is very popular. The run for the 20th of January is completely booked and has a wait list.

You do have to pay for it up front. It is approximately $50 US Dollars per person.

Sandy

The mail run is very popular. The run for the 20th of January is completely booked and has a wait list.

 

You do have to pay for it up front. It is approximately $50 US Dollars per person.

 

Sandy

wow! Thanks for the info! Will definitely be booking ours soon then!

We will be in Akaroa on Jan 3 and in 2012 that day is a Public Holiday in NZ. This means that unfortunately the Mail Run is not available as it is a Govt Contracted service.

So check your schedules, if you are in Akaroa on a PH or a Sunday (unsure about Sat) dont get too excited about booking this tour.

cheers

We will be in Akaroa on Jan 3 and in 2012 that day is a Public Holiday in NZ. This means that unfortunately the Mail Run is not available as it is a Govt Contracted service.

 

So check your schedules, if you are in Akaroa on a PH or a Sunday (unsure about Sat) dont get too excited about booking this tour.

 

cheers

Wow, what bad luck for you :( We're in Akaroa the very next day - booked and paid for our tickets today. Its $60 NZD which works out to about $48 AUD.

Is the place where you pick up the mail run tour reasonably close to where the ship docks. I noticed it's a 9 AM start and our ship docks at 8 AM. Is that enough time to get to the starting point?

Thanks.

Akaroa is not a very big place and you may find the ship will book out any tours that are available.

Ships tours may be the only way , and they will sell out quickly.

Any local tour operators would have to come all the way over from Christchurch, and that would also add to the expense.

 

You are correct! We will be in Akaroa on 27 November and tried to book the mail run but that's a Sunday so mail is not delivered that day. Then I tried to book an independant farm tour I saw on the Akaroa web site and just got a reply today that they are operating all the ship tours and are not able to book independantly. I guess I'll have to investigate the ships tours again!

Is the place where you pick up the mail run tour reasonably close to where the ship docks. I noticed it's a 9 AM start and our ship docks at 8 AM. Is that enough time to get to the starting point?

 

Thanks.

They told us they'd meet us where the tenders arrive. They also said that they think the tenders take about 20mins each way. Maybe email them if you're unsure and see if it would be possible for them to wait for you in the event that you are late (we all know how tenders say 8am but the first one only ends up leaving at 8.30 etc!!)

When I looked at the Mail Run as an option for Akaroa I had a reservation about timing.

It turned out that because the Mail run is a Govt. Contract deal they do not run on the day we will be there and it also means that they will be somewhat inflexible in how long they can wait for cruise line people.:(

We were on Sun Princess in 2009 on the Northern Explorer cruise and we had quite a few Tender ports. From my experience they first look after the folk that are booked on the ship's tours and you are given an appropriate sticker to place on your jacket. I am figurering that an independant will need to take pot luck on when they will be able to get on to a tender...and I am therefore forecasting some degree of "Tender Rage".:mad:

Whilst they do try and accommodate everyone, it would be my concern that there are no guarantees.

My personal view is that I will be looking at getting onshore mid morning , after all the Ships tours have been looked after, and then taking the Red Bus, which I understand will be running from about 11.00am. If that doesn't work then I would have no problem just wandering around the township.

I don't want to sound negative..just being practical.

cheers

is this a tender port? My cruise personalizer on the Princess web site doesn't show is as a tender. It only shows BOI as a tender port.

I'm more inclined to believe all of you here on CC as opposed to Princess.

Thanks for the input so far.

is this a tender port? My cruise personalizer on the Princess web site doesn't show is as a tender. It only shows BOI as a tender port.

 

I'm more inclined to believe all of you here on CC as opposed to Princess.

 

Thanks for the input so far.

We are on the Volendam and it is a tender port.

is this a tender port? My cruise personalizer on the Princess web site doesn't show is as a tender. It only shows BOI as a tender port.

 

I'm more inclined to believe all of you here on CC as opposed to Princess.

 

Thanks for the input so far.

Yes, Akaroa certainly is a tender port.

I've been searching for tours also. Found some that go to a farm and a few harbour tours but nothing else that starts in Akaroa. Lots of tours from Christchurch to this area but they don't help cruisers.

I've been searching for tours also. Found some that go to a farm and a few harbour tours but nothing else that starts in Akaroa. Lots of tours from Christchurch to this area but they don't help cruisers.

Hi,

Have a look at http://www.akaroa.com This is their tourism site, and on main page is now a schedule for cruise ships. Click on this pic, then click on transport. Quite a few listed there now.

Hope this assists a bit.

Jen

We are on the Dawn Princess and have October 24 in Akaroa. We have booked this 1946 Vintage Sailing Yacht tour. The operator has been terrific and we look forward to a great time.

http://www.aclasssailing.co.nz/index.html

Has a great Trip Advisor rating. Money is refundable if we don't make port.

Yes , i'm having the same problem - all the tours i've found run from Christchurch , no good for us !

Do we really have no alternative than the ship tours ? I love doing independent things and avoid ship tours .....

Yes , i'm having the same problem - all the tours i've found run from Christchurch , no good for us !

Do we really have no alternative than the ship tours ? I love doing independent things and avoid ship tours .....

I think if you email the tours companies running out of Christchurch you will find that many, if not all, are now offering tours out of Akaroa. It is my understanding, that all of the large ships have moved form Christchurch to Akaroa.

Sandy

Yes, a lot are now going from Akaroa. We have just booked one that does the bays surrounding Akaroa, with time left for the town itself. The http://www.akaroa.com site I mentioned before has quite a few tours listed under their transport section. I didn't have any trouble booking ours, and there are two ships in town that day, with the other ship having had Akaroa as a destination months before us. It is beautiful in that part of the world. We love it.

Jen