Black Cat Cruises

Black Cat Cruises We offer harbour cruises in Akaroa + dolphin swimming with the rare Hector's Dolphin
(1)

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

27/12/2024

Wow! 🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬
This afternoon, we were delighted to come across a pod of 100+ Common and Bottlenose dolphins heading up Akaroa Harbour.

Word must be spreading that this is the place to be this summer!

We are used to seeing the much smaller Hector’s Dolphin in much smaller pods, so this was a real treat for the crew and customers alike!

🎄Merry Christmas from the Black Cat crew! We can’t wait to take you on an unforgettable adventure this holiday season an...
24/12/2024

🎄Merry Christmas from the Black Cat crew! We can’t wait to take you on an unforgettable adventure this holiday season and into 2025! Akaroa Nature Cruises and Swimming with Dolphins are back in action from tomorrow - see you on the water! 🌊🐬⛴🥽

🎅 Skipper on sleigh watch! Today our skipper took on a special mission – scanning the skies for Santa’s sleigh! We’re pr...
24/12/2024

🎅 Skipper on sleigh watch! Today our skipper took on a special mission – scanning the skies for Santa’s sleigh! We’re pretty sure he caught a glimpse of something twinkling up there... ✨ Could it be the big man himself?

More babies - this time in Lyttelton!This morning, our team in Lyttelton were excited to see the first calf on this side...
23/12/2024

More babies - this time in Lyttelton!

This morning, our team in Lyttelton were excited to see the first calf on this side of the peninsula. Just in time for Christmas 🎄 🎁 🐬

Creating unforgettable summer moments 🐬 Our Chief Executive, Paul Milligan, had the privilege of sharing his son’s first...
23/12/2024

Creating unforgettable summer moments 🐬 Our Chief Executive, Paul Milligan, had the privilege of sharing his son’s first-ever swim with Hector’s dolphins today. These incredible creatures are such a big part of his dad’s life, and experiencing them together made for a moment they’ll never forget ✨🐬



hectorsdolphins, akaroa, swimmingwithdolphins, chcmustdo, nzmustdo

We’ve absolutely loved hosting all of your end-of-year functions and Christmas parties on board our fleet in Lyttelton t...
18/12/2024

We’ve absolutely loved hosting all of your end-of-year functions and Christmas parties on board our fleet in Lyttelton this year ❤️🎄 Our team have had a blast and we can’t wait for 2025 to do it all over again 🎄🐬🛥️

🤩 WIN | Our friends at The George are giving away an epic prize pack for a lucky family to win including a family pass f...
08/12/2024

🤩 WIN | Our friends at The George are giving away an epic prize pack for a lucky family to win including a family pass for our Akaroa Nature Cruise and a pass for 4 people for Escape Artists Christchurch!

View their post on Instagram and Facebook for all the details 🙌

06/12/2024

🐬 TWO baby Hector's dolphin spotted in Akaroa Harbour today! 🙌

It’s always a special time of year when we see this season’s calves arriving. Hector’s dolphins are rare and special, but spotting a new calf is truly something else and today, we were lucky enough to see two in the wild.

This is the new generation and the future of the species right here in front of our eyes and we couldn't be more over the moon about it! 🥰

Chris Lynch
New Zealand Whale and Dolphin Trust

**Competition now closed and our lucky winner has been contacted** Thanks so much to everyone that entered! 🥰**🥳 WIN - T...
28/11/2024

**Competition now closed and our lucky winner has been contacted** Thanks so much to everyone that entered! 🥰
*
*
🥳 WIN - To celebrate the start of summer this weekend and our epic Black Cat Friday Sale, we are giving away a family pass (2 adults and up to 3 children) for an Akaroa Nature Cruise!

TO ENTER:

👉 All you need to do is let us know the simple answer to this question: How old will Black Cat Cruises be in 2025? 🎂🐬(Hint: look at our full logo)

👉 Fill in the simple entry form: https://forms.office.com/r/2Rd5SYLqdA

👉 For an extra chance to win, you can like this post and follow us on both Facebook and Instagram!

⚫ And, don't forget to grab a Black Cat Friday Deal - sale ends 1 December 2024 https://www.blackcat.co.nz/specials/ ⚫

NB. This giveaway is not endorsed by Facebook.
Beware of scammers and imitation accounts! We will only contact you directly via email if you're our winner. Black Cat Cruises will never ask for financial information or send friend requests.

*Competition closes midnight - 1 December 2024

💥 We’re so grateful for our wonderful social media family, and to say thank you, we’re giving YOU early access to our Bl...
27/11/2024

💥 We’re so grateful for our wonderful social media family, and to say thank you, we’re giving YOU early access to our Black Cat Friday Sale!

⚫️ 50% OFF Quail Island Gift Vouchers (valid for 1 year from purchase)
⚫️ 25% OFF Akaroa Nature Cruise (for cruises up to the 20 Dec 2024)

This is our way of saying thanks for following us and being part of the journey.

These exclusive deals are live now - but only for a limited time (sale ends 1 December 2024). T&Cs apply.

More info and to book https://www.blackcat.co.nz/specials/
👉

You are coming to Akaroa this weekend right?! 🦭📷: Thanks to crew member
21/11/2024

You are coming to Akaroa this weekend right?! 🦭

📷: Thanks to crew member

⛴🐧 THIS SUNDAY! Join us for an exciting 1-hour Lyttelton Harbour Discovery Cruise. Explore stunning landscapes, learn ab...
18/11/2024

⛴🐧 THIS SUNDAY! Join us for an exciting 1-hour Lyttelton Harbour Discovery Cruise. Explore stunning landscapes, learn about local wildlife and uncover the harbour’s amazing history. Spot coastal birds and possibly even the rarest dolphin in the world – Hector’s dolphin!

📅 Sunday 24 November 2024
⏱ 12:30pm - 1:30pm

ADULTS: $25 | KIDS: $15 | UNDER 5: Free

See our Facebook event for more info or head to our booking link in bio.

To book: https://book.blackcat.co.nz/activity/selection?workingDate=2024-11-24&filter=ProdGroup-Special

Know Your Place

Pot of gold at the end of a rainbow 🌈🐬📷: Thanks to our awesome crew member
15/11/2024

Pot of gold at the end of a rainbow 🌈🐬

📷: Thanks to our awesome crew member

✨ We are super proud to be sponsoring one of Pōhatu Penguins/plunge penguin colony neighbourhoods at Flea Bay 🐧. By adop...
14/11/2024

✨ We are super proud to be sponsoring one of Pōhatu Penguins/plunge penguin colony neighbourhoods at Flea Bay 🐧.

By adopting 'King's Landing', we are assisting with nesting box materials for penguins and other native birds, penguin rehabilitation, penguin food and transport costs to the vet.

Pōhatu Penguins/Plunge do an incredible job championing the conservation, research, and education efforts for the White-flippered penguin, helping to ensure that future generations of New Zealanders can continue to see these beautiful birds.

Step inside 'King's Landing' - one of our Pōhatu colony neighbourhoods proudly sponsored by the awesome team at Black Cat Cruises! 🐧💙 🏠

By adopting 'King's Landing', Black Cat Cruises has helped us provide nesting box materials for penguins and other native birds, penguin rehabilitation, penguin food, transport costs to the vet, and so much more!

We are so grateful for the wonderful support our Helps Pōhatu Conservation Trust receives from the local businesses around Akaroa. Thank you Black Cat for the generous contribution towards the important conservation work we are doing here in Pōhatu.

Fun Friday Fact 🐬 Did you know that Hector’s dolphins can recognise each other by unique sounds like distinctive whistle...
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

It's our birthday and we are giving you the gifts 🎉 Celebrate 39 years of adventure with us with 19.85% off our experien...
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

For Te Wiki o te Reo Māori | Māori Language Week, we’re exploring te reo in our stunning marine world! 🌊 Today’s word is...
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!

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

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Black Cat Cruises posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Black Cat Cruises:

Videos

Wow! 🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬 This afternoon, we were delighted to come across a pod of 100+ Common and Bottlenose dolphins heading up Akaroa Harbour. Word must be spreading that this is the place to be this summer! We are used to seeing the much smaller Hector’s Dolphin in much smaller pods, so this was a real treat for the crew and customers alike! #dolphins #lovemyjob #akaroa_nz

Dive into the experience of a lifetime on our Swimming with Dolphins tour - a 3.5-hour experience where you’ll swim with wild Hector’s dolphin in their natural habitat, on their terms 🐬

🐬 TWO baby Hector’s dolphins spotted in Akaroa Harbour today!
🐬 TWO baby Hector’s dolphins spotted in Akaroa Harbour today!

🐬 TWO baby Hector's dolphin spotted in Akaroa Harbour today! 🙌 It’s always a special time of year when we see this season’s calves arriving. Hector’s dolphins are rare and special, but spotting a new calf is truly something else and today, we were lucky enough to see two in the wild. This is the new generation and the future of the species right here in front of our eyes and we couldn't be more over the moon about it! 🥰 Chris Lynch New Zealand Whale and Dolphin Trust #akaroa #hectorsdolphin

Black Pearl Launch
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
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.

Shortcuts

Share

Category

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.