Wildlife & Marine Tours at Akaroa with Shamarra & Pohatu

The cutest animals are waiting around Akaroa harbour: the soft and friendly Alpaca at Shamarra, the playful Hector’s Dolphins with Black Cat Cruises and the White-flippered penguin, a unique variant of the Little penguins with Pohatu penguins.

Ages

Ages 2+

Duration

6.25 hours

Shamarra Alpaca

"Full of attitude, seriously cute and very, very photogenic – come and meet our friendly award-winning alpacas.

Just one hour from Christchurch, you’ll find Shamarra Alpaca Farm on the beautiful Banks Peninsula across the harbour from Akaroa. With over 170 grazing alpacas you are guaranteed to make some furry friends while enjoying spectacular sea views. Tour our farm and visit our shop, exclusively stocking our luxurious New Zealand made Shamarra alpaca knitwear.

Black Cat Cruises

"Voted the number 1 wildlife activity in New Zealand, your award winning 2-hour nature cruise is packed with highlights including the rare, NZ native dolphin – the Hector’s dolphin, as well as seals, penguins and many coastal sea birds.

You’ll discover this wonderful wildlife as you cruise through the belly of an extinct volcanic crater and hear about Akaroa’s fascinating past. We also offer a Hector’s dolphin guarantee; if you don’t see any dolphins you can cruise again for free.

Pohatu Penguins

Step in our 4WD minibus and discover the Wildside of Banks peninsula, learn about the history of the area while standing on the edge of Akaroa volcano crater rim at 700 meters altitude. Visit the largest colony of Little penguins on mainland New Zealand and see them up close and personal as we monitor nesting sites and you learn, participate and help supporting 30+ years of conservation effort.