Dolphins and Coastal AkaroaHector's Dolphins, Cheese and the French Village
Private Akaroa Day Tour from Christchurch
Banks Peninsula, Hector's dolphins and New Zealand's only French settlement, privately chauffeured.
Travel from Christchurch to Akaroa with your own private driver, crossing the volcanic rim of Banks Peninsula to the harbour. Choose a coastal day with Hector's dolphins and the French village, or a gentler day of alpacas, art and estate wine, each planned around your pace.
Departs from: Christchurch hotel, Lyttelton cruise port or Akaroa cruise port
Duration: 8 hours, usual pickup 8:30 AM
Group size: Up to 3 guests (Range Rover), 6 guests (V-Class) or 11 guests (Sprinter)
Included: Private chauffeur, fuel and road user charges, bottled spring water, door-to-door pickup and drop-off, flexible stops
Not included: Lunch and activity fees, such as the harbour cruise
From $1,250 per vehicle for the full day, not per person
Two options
Akaroa Alpacas, Art and Estate WineAlpacas, Mosaics and a Long Estate Lunch
OPTION 1: HECTOR'S DOLPHINS, CHEESE AND THE FRENCH VILLAGE
Dolphins and Coastal Akaroa
Hilltop harbour views, an artisan cheese tasting, a harbour cruise in search of rare Hector's dolphins, a waterfront lunch and a world-renowned mosaic garden.
Times are a guide only and shift with cruise schedules, the season and your pace.
8:30 AM | Pickup and the Volcanic Ascent
8:30 AM Private pickup from your Christchurch hotel or cruise port.
9:45 AM Hilltop lookout over the ancient volcanic crater of Akaroa Harbour.
10:00 AM | Artisan Cheese Tasting
10:00 AM Tasting of handcrafted cheeses at a historic coastal creamery.
10:45 AM | The French Village
10:45 AM Arrive in Akaroa and stroll the French heritage village, New Zealand's only French settlement.
11:15 AM | Hector's Dolphins and Lunch
11:15 AM Harbour cruise past sea cliffs and caves, in search of rare Hector's dolphins.
1:15 PM Waterfront lunch featuring seasonal seafood.
2:30 PM | Mosaic Garden and Return
2:30 PM Visit a world-renowned mosaic garden.
3:15 PM Scenic return across the peninsula.
4:30 PM Drop-off at your Christchurch accommodation.
MEET LOUIS
Meet Louis, your private Akaroa driver and guide.
With over 10 years of full-time professional driving experience, Louis Adendorff has helped travellers from around the world discover New Zealand in comfort, safety, and style. His local knowledge, attention to detail, and calm, professional approach mean every journey is carefully planned so you can simply relax and enjoy the experience.
Behind every tour is Rebecca, who coordinates itineraries and special requests to ensure everything runs seamlessly from start to finish.
Louis knows Banks Peninsula well, from the best lookouts on the way over to the quietest corners of the village.
OPTION 2: ALPACAS, MOSAICS AND A LONG ESTATE LUNCH
Akaroa Alpacas, Art and Estate Wine
A gentle alpaca encounter in the hills, time in the French village, the mosaic garden and a long lunch at a boutique estate overlooking the harbour.
Times are a guide only and shift with cruise schedules, the season and your pace.
8:30 AM | Pickup and Caldera Views
8:30 AM Private pickup from your Christchurch hotel or cruise port.
9:45 AM Harbour views along the rim of the volcanic caldera.
10:15 AM | Alpaca Encounter
10:15 AM A gentle alpaca encounter in a hilltop setting.
11:30 AM | The French Village and Mosaic Garden
11:30 AM Arrive in Akaroa and stroll the historic cottages and waterfront.
12:15 PM Visit a world-renowned mosaic garden.
1:00 PM | Long Estate Lunch
1:00 PM Long lunch at a boutique estate overlooking the harbour.
3:00 PM | Scenic Return
3:00 PM Scenic return to Christchurch.
4:30 PM Drop-off at your Christchurch accommodation.
How It Works
What’s included
Your own professional driver, a luxury vehicle, fuel and road user charges, bottled water, and hotel or cruise port pickup and drop-off.
Common Questions
Can you pick us up from a cruise ship?
Yes. We can collect you from Lyttelton or Akaroa cruise port as well as your Christchurch hotel, and plan the day around your ship's all-aboard time.
Are lunch and the harbour cruise included?
The tour price covers your private chauffeur, vehicle, fuel, water and hotel transfers. Lunch and activity entry fees, such as the harbour cruise, are paid separately. Let us know what you'd like to do when you enquire and we'll build the day around it.
Can we change the stops?
Yes. Every tour is private, so stops are flexible. You can mix both options, linger longer or add places that matter to you.
How long is the drive to Akaroa?
Around 1.5 hours each way from central Christchurch, over the hills of Banks Peninsula with photo stops along the way.
Can you do a one-way transfer between Christchurch and Akaroa?
Our Akaroa service is designed as a full private day, so you have the vehicle and driver with you from pickup to return. If you're staying in Akaroa or joining a cruise there, let us know and we'll tailor the timing to suit.
Is Akaroa worth a day trip from Christchurch?
Yes. The drive over Banks Peninsula is one of the most scenic in Canterbury. A full day gives you time for the French village, a harbour cruise to look for Hector's dolphins, lunch on the waterfront and a few stops along the way, without rushing.
Do you have child seats?
Yes, child seats are available on request. Please include your children's ages when you enquire.
Will we see Hector's dolphins?
Hector's dolphins live in Akaroa Harbour year-round and are most often seen in the warmer months. Sightings are never guaranteed, but harbour cruise operators see them on most trips.
Plan Your Akaroa Day Tour
Tell us your dates, group size and which option appeals, and we'll tailor the day to you.
No payment needed to enquire. Rebecca will reply within 24 hours.
More Day Tours from Christchurch
Every tour is private and departs from your Christchurch hotel or cruise port, with the same vehicle options for up to 11 guests. Explore the Mackenzie and Lake Tekapo, Aoraki / Mount Cook, North Canterbury, Hanmer Springs, Waipara Valley and Kaikoura.
Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook Day Tours
Hanmer Springs, Waipara and Kaikōura Day Tours
Exclusive Driver is a Christchurch-based private chauffeur service offering luxury tours and transfers across the South Island.
Travel privately. Travel thoughtfully.
