Akaroa is a small town on the Banks Peninsula in the Canterbury region of New Zealand’s South Island. Located approximately 80km from Christchurch, Akaroa is the gateway to the beautiful Banks Peninsula and is a popular tourist destination for its stunning scenery, abundance of wildlife, and rich history.
The area around Akaroa was first settled by the Māori people in the 12th century. The Māori named the area “Te Waihora”, which translates to “the sea that sparkles”. In 1838, the French explorer Jean François Langlois arrived in the area and established the first European settlement. The settlement was named Akaroa, meaning “long harbour” in the Māori language.
Akaroa is situated on the Akaroa Harbour, which is a large, sheltered bay with stunning views of the surrounding hills. The harbour is home to a variety of wildlife, including the rare Hector’s dolphins, which can only be found in New Zealand. There are also a number of seabirds, such as gannets and shags, which can be seen from the shore.
The town of Akaroa is known for its distinct French-influenced architecture, which can be seen in the many historic buildings around the town. There is also a selection of cafés and restaurants that serve French-inspired cuisine. Akaroa is also home to a range of art galleries and craft shops, as well as a number of walking and cycling trails.
Akaroa is an important part of New Zealand’s history and is a popular tourist destination due to its stunning scenery, abundance of wildlife, and rich cultural heritage.
Experience Akaroa with unforgettable activities by our partner GetYourGuide. The offer is also ideal as a special gift idea for family and friends who are planning to visit Akaroa. Cancellations are possible up to 24h before the start of the activity (unless otherwise stated in the activity description), with a full refund of the booking price.
Akaroa, New Zealand has a temperate climate with mild temperatures year-round. In summer (December-February), temperatures range from an average high of 21°C to a low of 13°C. Spring (September-November) is mild and wet, with temperatures ranging from a high of 17°C to a low of 9°C. Autumn (March-May) is generally mild and dry, with temperatures ranging from a high of 18°C to a low of 9°C. Winter (June-August) is cool and wet, with temperatures ranging from a high of 15°C to a low of 6°C. Overall, Akaroa has mild weather with some seasonal variations in temperature and precipitation.
Our weather forecast for Akaroa helps plan your stay according to the weather. For sunny days, pack light and breathable clothes, swimwear, and sunscreen. For winter weather, it's recommended to bring warm clothes, gloves, a hat, sturdy footwear, and a raincoat.
Date | Icon | Temperature | Wind speed/gusts | Cloudiness/Visibility | Air humidity/pressure | Sunrise/Sunset |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 21st 2024 Dec. 21st 2024 | max: 21.2 °C min: 11 °C |
22.3 m/s 27.0 m/s |
75.6 % 16.2 m |
83.6 % 998 hPa |
05:42:26 21:10:07 |
|
Dec. 22nd 2024 Dec. 22nd 2024 | max: 21.0 °C min: 11.5 °C |
9.0 m/s 11.9 m/s |
75.4 % 22.7 m |
81.3 % 995 hPa |
05:42:55 21:10:35 |
|
Dec. 23rd 2024 Dec. 23rd 2024 | max: 19.9 °C min: 11.9 °C |
8.6 m/s 14.0 m/s |
69.1 % 19.3 m |
83.2 % 1,001 hPa |
05:43:27 21:11:02 |
|
Dec. 24th 2024 Dec. 24th 2024 | max: 19.2 °C min: 12.1 °C |
11.5 m/s 30.6 m/s |
62.1 % 21.5 m |
82.0 % 1,005 hPa |
05:44:01 21:11:26 |
|
Dec. 25th 2024 Dec. 25th 2024 | max: 22.2 °C min: 13.2 °C |
12.6 m/s 31.3 m/s |
95.0 % 17.7 m |
76.3 % 999 hPa |
05:44:37 21:11:47 |
|
Dec. 26th 2024 Dec. 26th 2024 | max: 14.2 °C min: 10.2 °C |
16.9 m/s 41.4 m/s |
99.9 % 7.5 m |
94.6 % 1,001 hPa |
05:45:16 21:12:06 |
|
Dec. 27th 2024 Dec. 27th 2024 | max: 16.9 °C min: 7.7 °C |
17.6 m/s 40.7 m/s |
47.3 % 21.9 m |
70.7 % 1,011 hPa |
05:45:57 21:12:22 |
|
Dec. 28th 2024 Dec. 28th 2024 | max: 16.3 °C min: 7.5 °C |
15.5 m/s 28.8 m/s |
58.0 % 22.0 m |
75.3 % 1,007 hPa |
05:46:41 21:12:36 |
|
Dec. 29th 2024 Dec. 29th 2024 | max: 18.8 °C min: 12.4 °C |
10.7 m/s 16.4 m/s |
53.6 % 19.0 m |
84.1 % 1,004 hPa |
05:47:26 21:12:47 |
|
Dec. 30th 2024 Dec. 30th 2024 | max: 22.1 °C min: 8.5 °C |
25.9 m/s 38.9 m/s |
61.2 % 21.6 m |
70.7 % 995 hPa |
05:48:14 21:12:56 |
|
Dec. 31st 2024 Dec. 31st 2024 | max: 16.1 °C min: 6.8 °C |
15.5 m/s 30.6 m/s |
25.3 % 22.0 m |
69.1 % 1,000 hPa |
05:49:03 21:13:03 |
|
Jan. 1st 2025 Jan. 1st 2025 | max: 15.6 °C min: 8.3 °C |
14.0 m/s 21.6 m/s |
64.2 % 24.1 m |
74.7 % 1,006 hPa |
05:49:55 21:13:06 |
|
Jan. 2nd 2025 Jan. 2nd 2025 | max: 21.1 °C min: 9.8 °C |
25.2 m/s 54.7 m/s |
86.5 % 24.1 m |
67.8 % 997 hPa |
05:50:48 21:13:07 |
|
Jan. 3rd 2025 Jan. 3rd 2025 | max: 19.7 °C min: 9.4 °C |
23.8 m/s 44.6 m/s |
82.8 % 23.9 m |
55.5 % 991 hPa |
05:51:44 21:13:06 |
|
Jan. 4th 2025 Jan. 4th 2025 | max: 18.4 °C min: 8.8 °C |
18.4 m/s 42.1 m/s |
74.0 % 22.2 m |
76.3 % 1,002 hPa |
05:52:41 21:13:02 |
Would you like to travel to Akaroa on a cruise ship or would you just like to know when a certain ship will dock there? Here you will find an overview of the cruise ships that will be calling at the port of Akaroa.
Date | Ship | Arrival | Departure | Details |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 30th 2024 Monday, 30th of Dec. 2024 | Silver Muse | 08:00 am | 06:00 pm | |
Dec. 31st 2024 Tuesday, 31st of Dec. 2024 | Seven Seas Explorer | 08:00 am | 06:00 pm | |
Jan. 6th 2025 Monday, 6th of Jan. 2025 | LE SOLEAL | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
Jan. 21st 2025 Tuesday, 21st of Jan. 2025 | LE SOLEAL | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
Jan. 24th 2025 Friday, 24th of Jan. 2025 | LE JACQUES CARTIER | 08:00 am | 07:00 pm | |
Jan. 28th 2025 Tuesday, 28th of Jan. 2025 | Azamara Pursuit | 08:00 am | 05:00 pm | |
Jan. 29th 2025 Wednesday, 29th of Jan. 2025 | Silver Muse | 08:00 am | 10:00 pm | |
Feb. 2nd 2025 Sunday, 2nd of Feb. 2025 | MS Regatta | 10:00 am | 07:00 pm | |
Feb. 3rd 2025 Monday, 3rd of Feb. 2025 | Seabourn Quest | 08:00 am | 05:00 pm | |
Feb. 28th 2025 Friday, 28th of Feb. 2025 | Scenic Eclipse II | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
Mar. 7th 2025 Friday, 7th of Mar. 2025 | HANSEATIC inspiration | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
Mar. 8th 2025 Saturday, 8th of Mar. 2025 | MSC Magnifica | 08:00 am | 06:00 pm | |
Feb. 15th 2026 Sunday, 15th of Feb. 2026 | Seabourn Sojourn | 08:00 am | 05:00 pm |
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