“Pohatu Penguins” is a family-run business with a long standing history of protecting the Korora (Little Penguin). The colony survival is accredited to Shireen and Francis Helps who have cared for the penguins for 30+ years.

When the Helps first began their conservation work the penguins faced massive challenges that threatened their very existence. These challenges included predation via introduced predators such as dogs, cats, ferrets and stoats, gill net fishing and other human disturbances. Colonies around Banks Peninsula declined at an alarming rate and most disappeared altogether. Through predator trapping, monitoring, rehabilitation and immense dedication the Helps have stabilized the Pohatu Colony - and it continues to grow, nw being the largest colony of Little penguins on mainland New Zealand!

In addition to their penguin conservation work the Helps family have also, for many years, regenerated native forests and protected other endemic species.

Their work helped found the award-winning Wildside Conservation Project and to this day, the Helps family continue to be leaders in conservation.

These efforts continue to be fully self-funded via Pohatu Penguins’ tours so when purchasing a tour you have a positive input on our little Korora.

On our boat, you are part of the environment not removed from it.

While dolphins surf under the boat you can feel the spray from their blowhole!

DOLPHIN SWIMMING  10:30AM

Come and join us on one of our small, personal tours and experience the magic of swimming with the Hectors Dolphin in Akaroa New Zealand. They are the smallest and rarest oceanic dolphins in the world. Akaroa is the only place in the world you can experience them personally in their natural habitat. We are a small local family business, 100% locally owned & operated. We run one swim tour per day exclusively limited to 12 guests, offering a longer dolphin swimming tour to maximize your experience and your value for money with a 90.5% success rate. Wetsuits, masks & snorkels are provided, hot chocolate & biscuits. Akaroa’s #1 Dolphin Swim on tripadvisor. YOU FIND US WE FIND THEM. Department of Conservation Approved.

Akaroa Wildlife Sailing Cruise. Relive the golden era of sailing experience the timeless beauty of a large graceful CLASSIC…a style of yacht rarely seen nowadays! Hand-built, original condition & lovingly maintained with 9 coats of varnish. No engine noise, no diesel smell, no pollution to harm the unique endangered wildlife. Most often you’ll be surprised to HEAR dolphins & wildlife BEFORE you see them. Intimate humorous historical storytelling; no loudspeaker. Help sail or relax in the ‘Royal seats’. Boarding 10.15 am sailing 10.30am to 1 pm. Boarding 1.15 pm sailing 1.30pm to 4pm. Max 20 pax never crowded. $85 pp. Children aged 5-12 are $42.50. No children under 5 years old thanks.

We are a small but busy and innovative club catering for cruising and racing yachts as well as launches and power boats. We have a functional and user friendly clubhouse complete with large deck areas and a long jetty for club members to utilize especially during the busy racing season from October through until early June. We also hire out the club house for venue hire, weddings & conferences.

To add to the many attractions that the beautiful Akaroa harbour provides, we specialize in giving the more adventurous an unforgettable jet boating experience, a must for those seeking that something extra! Climb aboard our 20 seat, twin v8 600HP 'Phat time' jet boat. This 7.5 metre cobra jet boat is the latest design combining power and speed with built-in comfort and exceptional safety features. A high speed 360 degree spin will show you just what this jet boat is capable of.

Enjoy this nature experience to visit the New Zealand Fur Seals on a small group tour. Your local guide has more than 20 years experience. Beginning in Akaroa your guide will pick you up and take you on a unique journey up over the rim of an extinct volcano, past spectacular farmland and ocean views, and down eastern slopes to the Pacific Ocean. There, at the foot of one-hundred-metre cliffs, you will encounter an adorable colony of New Zealand Fur Seals, swimming and sun bathing amongst 8-million-year-old volcanic deposits. Safaris run from the beginning of October to the end of April at 9:30am and 1:00pm and takes between 2.5 to 3 hours.

This trip can be mind blowing in the right sea conditions. The outer coast of Pohatu Marine Reserve is spectacular with towering sea cliffs sculpted through the ages by the sea into rock stacks, reefs, and deep sea caves. Flea Bay Island and the impressive island arch make an added exciting attraction in settled sea conditions. Pohatu Marine Reserve also has many marine species such as Penguins, several seal colonies and is often visited by Hectors Dolphins and a great range of sea birds.

Akaroa Dolphins is an award-winning tourist attraction in Akaroa, New Zealand. Join us on our luxury boat where you will enjoy a 2-hour cruise around Akaroa Harbour and meet the world's smallest and rarest oceanic dolphins, the Hector's dolphin, as well as New Zealand fur seals, White-flippered penguins and an array of seabirds, all while taking in the spectacular scenery. Over the past 12 months, we’ve had a 98% success rate with dolphin sightings. If you’re among the rare few who don’t see dolphins, you can cruise again with us for free. From our check-in team to our skippers and onboard guides, you’ll be greeted with smiles every step of the way. An integral part of the team is our expert dolphin spotting dogs. Equipped with dog life-vests and a keen ear, they’ll help make your dolphin encounter an unforgettable experience.

Join award-winning Black Cat Cruises, aboard our large comfortable catamaran. Discover and learn about the rare Hector's dolphins, seals, penguins and more. View stunning scenery, including the volcanic Cathedral Cave, relics of the area's past and a salmon farm. Complimentary tea & coffee on board and a postcard. Cruises depart daily from the main wharf. If you don’t see any dolphins, come again for FREE!

Harbour Cruise 2:30pm

Do you have a sense for adventure?

Then join us on our Harbour Adventure Cruise - you will not be disappointed. The scenery and wildlife here are incredible. Steve the captain & owner is a 5th generation local who knows all the secrets and special places of Akaroa Harbour. We run one 2hr Harbour Cruise per day, exclusively limited to 12 guests. Our boat is a 12.5-meter Rayglass Protector (an ex America’s Cup Chase boat & Coastguard Marine Rescue Vessel) It’s an exciting, fun, safe sea-going boat. We are 100% locally owned & operated. Highly recommended on tripadvisor.

Southern Wanderer Scenic Cruises is a family business offering cruises from Akaroa exploring the amazing scenery and wildlife of Banks Peninsula. We cater for small numbers of up to 8 passengers, keeping the trips relaxed and allowing us to offer personal service with informative conversational commentary. Our scheduled cruises depart from Akaroa's main wharf at 9:30am and 12:00 midday. BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL: online by the BOOK NOW button below phone 0800 226273.

We also run private charters with flexible departure times, trip durations and itineraries. If your preference is to explore at another time of day with your own group of family, friends or colleagues with our professional skipper, we can tailor a trip specifically for you. Our rates are competitive and affordable and often less than you would pay to go on one of the larger boats with dozens of other passengers.

Sail Akaroa (with Twin Gullies Sailing)

Beat the crowds and join us for a relaxing 3 hour experience on “Joint Effort” our 10.5 metre yacht. Cruise on Akaroa Harbour and learn the colourful history of this amazing slice of New Zealand. 

You may choose to take our Sea and Vineyard package which includes a 3 hour sail followed by a visit to French Peaks Vineyard for a light snack and a spot of wine tasting. You must book this package the day before your trip.

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Come see spectacular coastline and magnificent wildlife aboard our classic Kauri launch. 2.5 hour trips, personally guided by skipper/owner Tony Muir. Boarding from far -end of Main Wharf, Akaroa at 10.15 and 1.45pm. Small groups on a spacious, dry and comfortable wooden launch. Private fishing & social charters are available. Summer cruises are $85 per adult. Children 1-14 years old $40. Infants under 1 year are free.

Swimming with dolphins all year round! Akaroa Harbour is the only place on the entire planet where you can get up close and personal with NZ's playful and endemic Hector's dolphins. Depart on one of our safe and comfortable vessels with our knowledgeable and awesome crew! All year round an unforgettable adventure awaits you, where everything is provided for your ultimate swimming with dolphins experience. A separate price is available for dolphin spectating only. Everything is provided: wetsuits, hot showers and hot chocolate. Finalist in the Qualmark 100% Pure Experience Awards 2019.

Hire a high quality, super stable Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) and head out to cruise our beautiful harbour. All safety gear supplied as well as SUP paddling tips if required. Boards are available by the hour as singles or hire a family Size SUP that takes up to 4 people! Or book for a NightSUP tour and view Akaroa's sealife under super bright lights and have an experience that everyone raves about!

Sail with dophins, see wildlife. Akaroa harbour up close on New Zealand's oldest ketch Fox II. Learn about local history & help crew if you want. With 2 wooden masts and 6 sails there is always a halyard to hoist or a sheet to be pulled. 3 hour tour with historic narration, complementary fresh brewed coffee, tea, homemade hot chocolate and biscuits. The only boat in Akaroa with dolphin guarantee! You will see dolphins, penguins and seals (sometimes albatross), visit Cathedral Cave, see a waterfall and giant cliffs.

Experts in Wildlife kayaking and Stand up Paddle boarding (SUP). We also rent out Pedal Boats and Bicycles. We are situated within the Akaroa i-SITE next to the Akaroa 4Square supermarket on the corner. You can book also accommodation and any other activities with us.