There’s so much to love about Akaroa, the tiny harbour town tucked away on the Banks Peninsula. The town is a 90-minute drive from Christchurch, and one of my favourite things about it is that it’s home to the award-winning Black Cat Cruises.

Not only are they one of New Zealand’s best tourism operators, but they’ve also been internationally recognised as an eco-tourism pioneer. They were the first company to introduce cruises in Akaroa and are proud to be New Zealand’s very first eco-tourism operator. I think that whenever possible, supporting sustainable businesses that genuinely care about the environment is one of the best things you can do when travelling. These guys get a massive tick of approval from me!

Black Cat depart from Akaroa Wharf every day and last around two hours. They’ve been voted the #1 wildlife activity in New Zealand, and I can see why! You’ll get taken around an extinct volcanic harbour and see wildlife like sea lions, penguins, and seabirds. Plus, you’ll get a glimpse into the area’s Māori and colonial history. However, the real draw card of Black Cat Cruises is you’ll see the world’s smallest and rarest dolphins - the Hector's dolphins.

If that’s not enough wildlife for you and you’re after something even more special, Black Cat offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to swim with the dolphins. This experience is about 3.5 hours from start to finish and has been hailed as New Zealand’s #1 bucket list experience. Each of their trips is limited to 12 swimmers and because this is such a popular tour, I’d recommend booking as far in advance as possible, especially if you’re travelling in summer!

If you’re planning to do a tour while you’re in Akaroa, I’d highly recommend choosing these guys!!

How much does it cost?

The 2-hour Nature Cruise: $119 for adults and $55 for children.

The 3.5 hour tour to swim with dolphins: $199 for adults and $169 for children.