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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 5pm Sunday 9am - 5pm

Black Cat Cruises

Name: Black Cat Cruises
Address: Main Wharf, Akaroa, 7520, NZ
Telephone: +6433047641
Rating: 4.7

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Black Cat Cruises

We offer harbour cruises in Akaroa + dolphin swimming with the rare Hector's Dolphin
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One of Christchurch's Best Attractions and the most fun and educational cruises you will find anywhere in New Zealand. View wildlife unique to NZ, learn about this stunning area's past on a 2 hour cruise, or swim with rare Hector's Dolphins. We are proud to follow the Marine Mammal Protection Act 1978 and the Marine Mammal Protection Regulations 1992. These ensure the marine mammals of New Zealand

are protected and that their conservation is a top priority. Our interactions with marine mammals adhere to all regulations and our conservation focused tours, educate and raise awareness

01/11/2024

Fun Friday Fact 🐬 Did you know that Hector’s dolphins can recognise each other by unique sounds like distinctive whistles - almost like having their own names. It’s their clever way of staying connected with their pod pals. Nature’s social network is way cooler than ours 😆😎

📷: Capture by Rob Pine

22/10/2024

It's our birthday and we are giving you the gifts 🎉 Celebrate 39 years of adventure with us with 19.85% off our experiences including Akaroa Nature Cruise, Swimming with Dolphins and Quail Island Adventures 🐬 Offer only available for experiences departing 23-30 October 2024.

Oh and if you're wondering why 19.85% that's because Black Cat Cruises started in Akaroa in 1985 🥳

Book now 👉 https://www.blackcat.co.nz/specials/ and use promo code: 1985

17/10/2024

🧢LOST HATS - These lonely hats have lost their owners and been left behind on our Lyttelton boats over the school holiday period (during the Quail Island Pirate Hunt).

If they look familiar to you, please email [email protected] and we'll ensure you're reunited once again!

P.S. The hats have promised not to fly away again 😅

16/10/2024

Loving the longer days as we get closer to summer 🙌 ☀️

14/10/2024

Big boats, little boats 🚢 Haere Mai to the Diamond Princess arriving into Whakaraupō Lyttelton this morning commencing the 24/25 cruise season 🎉

03/10/2024

🌊 When was the last time you took a family trip to Akaroa? Slow down, reconnect with nature and each other. Enjoy cosy cafes while soaking in stunning seaside views, hillside walks in native bush or a hop on an Akaroa Nature Cruise to spot the rare Hector’s dolphin 🐬.

Tag someone you’d love to share this experience with!

23/09/2024

🥰 Thanks so much to nook NZ for including our Quail Island Pirate Treasure Hunt in their picks for the best things to do these school holidays!⚓️

Tickets are selling fast - so get in quick to secure your pirate fun over the holidays🏴‍☠️

With plenty happening for kids this month, we’re here to help you stay updated with all of the October school holiday events.

18/09/2024

For Te Wiki o te Reo Māori | Māori Language Week, we’re exploring te reo in our stunning marine world! 🌊 Today’s word is the cheeky and playful kekeno - the NZ fur seal! 🦭

Kekeno means “look around,” which fits these curious creatures perfectly. You’ll often spot them lounging on rocks or playing in the ocean, all the while keeping an eye out for predators 👀🐋.

Next time you’re on one of our Akaroa Nature Cruises, see if you can spot them and discover why they earned their Māori name!

16/09/2024

Kia ora Black Cat whanau (family)✨This Māori Language Week (14 – 21 September 2024), we’re exploring the Māori language within our majestic marine environment. This years’ theme is ‘Ake ake ake – A Forever Language,’ celebrating the resilience and enduring spirit of te reo Māori.

To celebrate, we’ll be posting a new Māori word related to our incredible marine world throughout the week. From the sea birds to the whales that sometimes visit our shores.

Today’s word is one very close to our hearts 🐬tutumairekurai | Hector’s Dolphin meaning “ocean dweller”.

15/09/2024

🎉 A momentous day for Black Cat Cruises 🚢

We were thrilled to officially launch and bless our brand-new ferry, the Black Pearl, in partnership with Metro Canterbury on Friday.

Built by Cantabrian boat builders Icon Custom Boats, this is the first brand new ferry on the Diamond Harbour route in over 23 years!

Holding 95 passengers (almost double the current capacity), the Black Pearl will make 270 trips across Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour every week ✨.

We were honoured to have Maui Stuart of Ngāti Wheke (Rāpaki) bless the Black Pearl and were joined by local leaders, past and present Black Cat staff, Environment Canterbury, local businesses, and friends and family to mark this wonderful occasion.

12/09/2024

Welcome to the fleet - Black Pearl.

Our brand new vessel, the Black Pearl is now fully operational on the Diamond Harbour Ferry service.

Check out this video of her journey from Icon Custom Boats to Whakaraupō/Lyttelton.

11/09/2024

As your adventure with us is about to begin, take a moment to soak up the stunningly beautiful Main Wharf ⛴️🐬

03/09/2024

Experienced Skipper? Join our team!

We're looking for a Skipper to join us in Akaroa! Make everyday a breathtaking adventure and be part of a team that provides award-winning eco-tourism experiences.

Get in touch for more info, or apply online here:
https://www.seek.co.nz/job/77941544?type=standard&ref=search-standalone =671a4125896f69298ac6cf41e6478217e51b4ea8

28/08/2024

NZ fur seals enjoy hanging out together but give each other space (1-2 meters) when napping. Very demure, very mindful.

24/07/2024

Your (almost) private island. Make the most of our great outdoors during the quieter Winter months. Who will you bring as part of your crew?

Address

Main Wharf
Akaroa
7520

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	9am - 5pm
Sunday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+6433047641

Website

http://www.blackcat.co.nz/

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Videos

Black Pearl Launch

Welcome to the fleet - Black Pearl. Our brand new vessel, the Black Pearl is now fully operational on the Diamond Harbour Ferry service. Check out this video of her journey from Icon Custom Boats to Whakaraupō/Lyttelton.

Friday weather: 🌤️ Saturday weather: 🌤️ Sunday weather: 🌤️ #Akaroa #Longweekend #AkaroaHarbour #LittleRiver #Canterbury

Now the sun is shining, it's time to embark on an adventure. Gather the entire crew and take advantage of the adults at kids prices offer. 🐦‍⬛🌤️ https://www.blackcat.co.nz/specials/quail-island-big-beautiful-bird-trail/

Kiwi of the Sea

Music with Michal is back! With Seaweek just around the corner, it must be time to sing everyone's favorite kids song once again! We have 2 special Sea Week Sing-a-long cruises scheduled for Tuesday 5th March. These trips always sell out, so book your space today here: https://www.blackcat.co.nz/specials/ In the meantime, turn up the volume and have your own sing-a-long right here.

Want to know what our Quail Island Pirate Hunt - School Holiday Fun! is all about!? ⚓️ Check out Backyard Travel Family for a recap of their awesome visit last year! Tickets still available so get on to it right away me hearties 🏴‍☠️ 👉https://www.blackcat.co.nz/specials/

The weather is warming up woohoo! 🙌 Perfect timing to come aboard one of our super popular Akaroa Nature Cruises and meet some of the friendly marine mammals we have around stunning Akaroa Harbour 🐬 #akaroanaturecruise #blackcatcruises #akaroa

💙 Happy Father's Day to all the amazing dads! Just as dolphins playfully dance alongside our boats, you bring love and laughter to life's journey 🐬 #FathersDay #BlackCatCruises

Shortcuts

About Black Cat Cruises

Cruise or swim with the smallest,rarest and friendliest dolphin in the world - the Hector’s dolphin! Eco-tourism pioneer Black Cat Cruises offers world-class visitor experiences including our 2-hour Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise and Swimming with the Dolphins tour. Located within the pictureque and French-inspired, seaside town of Akaroa; Only a scenic 90 minute drive from Christchurch, New Zealand.

Black Cat Cruises was established in 1985 by Ron and Durelle Bingham and grew out of their love of the harbour and its marine mammal inhabitants, particularly the Hector’s dolphin.

From Black Cat’s establishment, we have worked alongside and supported the NZ Whale and Dolphin Trust with their dolphin research in Akaroa Harbour. We continue to donate to Hector’s dolphin protection research with every ticket sold.

Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise Your award-winning 2-hour harbour cruise is packed with stunning highlights including the endemic (only found in NZ) and playful Hector’s dolphin, as well as White-flippered Little Blue penguins, NZ Fur seals and abundant birdlife. You’ll see giant volcanic sea cliffs, view dramatic scenery and hear about Akaroa’s fascinating past. Cruises depart every day, weather permitting.