Akaroa Harbour Cruises Sailing Trips to view Dolphin & Wildlife

Akaroa Harbour Cruises

Aboard a Classic 85 Year Old, 50 Foot ketch. “FOX II”

Sailing Akaroa Harbour on a true classic 85 year old, 50 foot ketch. FOX II is a special way to experience the beauty and history of Akaroa Harbour.

Sail with the dolphins in the crater of an extinct volcano on New Zealand’s oldest gaffed rigged ketch and enjoy the wildlife of Akaroa Harbour up close. Relax and soak up the sun, sea and hills or take part as one of the crew, With 2 wooden masts and 6 sails there is always a halyard to hoist or a sheet to be pulled.

See Hectors dolphins, yellow-eyed and blue penguins, New Zealand fur seals, albatross as well as a myriad of other sea birds. Be surrounded by giant volcanic sea cliffs, caves and rock formations along the journey. We also visit shag colonies, Cathedral Cave, Nikau Palm Gully and waterfall.

Each trip is different on Fox II depending on the wind direction or the sea conditions. Typically we head out of the Akaroa Heads into the Pacific Ocean where there is incredible scenery and generally a bit more wind. We have one of the highest success rates at spotting the wildlife in Akaroa Harbour, along with an informative commentary on the history of the volcano, Akaroa and its early inhabitants. This is an exciting trip.

Akaroa Harbour is visited by Hectors dolphins, Little-blue/white-flippered penguins, and New Zealand fur seals from Dec-May. For the past 3 seasons we have seen dolphins on every trip! We have the highest success rate at spotting dolphins of any boat, because of our slower speed and we are quieter. Dolphins come and swim alongside the Fox II. We also have the longest viewing encounters. We venture out into the Pacific Ocean outside the heads where the dolphins are 30 percent of the time. Dolphins are wild animals and we respect that fact, we do not stop, chase or harass the dolphins in any way.

We provide a narration on the history of the volcano, Akaroa and its early inhabitants.

Departs daily at 10:30am and 1:30pm from Daly’s Wharf behind the Akaroa Visitor Centre late December thru May.

Trips last three hours and include complementary fresh brewed coffee, tea and hot chocolate as well as biscuits and there is wine, beer and soda/water for purchase.

What should you bring?

You should bring sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat (with a string), and a camera with plenty of memory. The Fox II has extra coats on board if it should get cold. But you should bring a jumper or jacket. There is seating inside with a full (heated) cabin if you want to escape the weather.