Black cat cruises, Christchurch Overview

Black Cat Cruises offer the enchanting experience of swimming with dolphins and harbour cruises from Akaroa to Island Adventures to Lyttelton. In addition, only Black Cat Cruises offers fully sheltered swim vessels with onboard toilets and other significant facilities.

Black Cat Cruises is the first of its kind to provide cruise facilities in Akaroa and is also recognised as New Zealand's first eco-tourism operator. Initially, the company services started tours with a few hundred people per year in small Canoes and Dinghies and now has become one of the largest cruise companies on the South Island. Its home territory is in Christchurch, which is home to a diverse collection of marine wildlife and bird life, including several endangered species.

Things to Do

Black Cat Cruises provides one of the most unique and world-class experiences of swimming with Hector's Dolphins. These dolphins are the world's rarest and smallest oceanic dolphins and found only in Akaroa. The company also offers private charters that can be booked to celebrate special occasions which also provides onboard buffet meal facility. The Cruise trips are full of adventurous activities which include -

Diamond Harbour Cliff walk - One can enjoy a lovely coastal walk from Purau to Cherch Bay and enjoy the aesthetic sea views on the way.
Cycling - After reaching the Diamond Harbour, one can cycle to Teddington, cross the Gebbies Pass and then link with the Summit Road, enjoying breathtaking panoramic views along the trails.
Lyttelton Farmers Market - This market is a very popular one, that opens from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Route

Akaroa is located at a distance of around 80 to 90 minutes drive from Christchurch city. Once you have reached Akaroa, it is easy to find the departing point from there. The Cruise departs from Christchurch and arrives Akaroa and vice versa. It also includes return journey and transportation from Christchurch to Akaroa.

Booking Costs

Tickets:-

Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise Adult - NZD 85

Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise Child - NZD 35

Diamond Harbour Ferry Cruise One-Way Adult - NZD 6.5

Diamond Harbour Ferry Cruise Return Adult - NZD 13

Diamond Harbour Ferry Cruise One-Way Child - NZD 3.2

Diamond Harbour Ferry Cruise Return Child - NZD 6.4

Quill Island Ferry Cruise Adult - NZD 30

Quill Island Ferry Cruise Child - NZD 15

How To Reach Black Cat Cruises

The company offers two destinations i.e. Akaroa and Lyttelton. Out of which the Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise starts from Akaroa itself which is approximately a 90 minutes drive from Christchurch.
Whereas the cruise to Diamond Harbour starts from Lyttelton in Christchurch and similar to the Diamond Harbour the Quail Island Ferry, also departs from Lyttelton.