Free cookie consent management tool by TermsFeed Free Privacy Policy Generator List of cruise ships in Akaroa - up-to-date port information and excursion tips for cruise ship fans.

Akaroa
in New Zealand

Home Ports New Zealand Akaroa
New Zealand

Akaroa

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.

Excursion tips for a day in Akaroa

As a tourist in Akaroa, New Zealand, there are plenty of activities to do in this historic seaside town. Here is a list of some of the best things to do in Akaroa on a day trip:

1. Explore the historic Akaroa Village. Take a stroll through the quaint streets, admiring the unique architecture, and visit the many cafes, restaurants, and shops.

2. Take a boat tour of Akaroa Harbour. Get up close to the wildlife and breathtaking scenery of the harbour, and spot some of the rarest marine life in the world.

3. Visit the Akaroa Museum. Learn about the town’s fascinating history, from the arrival of the French settlers in 1840 to the present day.

4. Enjoy the Akaroa Waterfront. Relax on the beach, take a dip in the ocean, or go for a leisurely walk along the waterfront.

5. Take a scenic drive to the nearby Banks Peninsula. Visit the picturesque villages of Little River and Duvauchelle, or take a hike up to the summit of Mount Herbert.

6. Sample some of the local cuisine. Akaroa is renowned for its seafood, so don’t miss out on trying some of the delicious local dishes.

7. Go on a wildlife tour. Spot some of the rarest marine life in the world, including the Hector’s dolphins, penguins, and seals.

8. Take a walk in the Akaroa hills. Enjoy the stunning views of Akaroa Harbour and the surrounding countryside.

9. Take a dip in the hot pools. Relax and enjoy the natural thermal springs located a few kilometres away from Akaroa.

10. Go on a wine tasting tour. Sample some of the locally produced wines and discover the unique flavours of the region.

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.

The climate in Akaroa

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.

Cruise weather for Akaroa

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. 12th 2025 Dec. 12th 2025 max: 16.0 °C
min: 8.4 °C 		35.3 m/s
31.3 m/s		 47.4 %
15.9 m		 74.2 %
1,014 hPa		 05:39:55
21:03:56
Dec. 13th 2025 Dec. 13th 2025 max: 15.5 °C
min: 7 °C 		11.5 m/s
19.4 m/s		 28.0 %
24.1 m		 75.3 %
1,022 hPa		 05:40:00
21:04:45
Dec. 14th 2025 Dec. 14th 2025 max: 17.5 °C
min: 9.7 °C 		13.7 m/s
25.6 m/s		 81.1 %
24.1 m		 80.0 %
1,019 hPa		 05:40:09
21:05:32
Dec. 15th 2025 Dec. 15th 2025 max: 23.2 °C
min: 11.4 °C 		38.5 m/s
69.1 m/s		 44.6 %
24.1 m		 57.1 %
1,009 hPa		 05:40:20
21:06:16
Dec. 16th 2025 Dec. 16th 2025 max: 19.1 °C
min: 10.3 °C 		23.0 m/s
52.6 m/s		 99.9 %
18.2 m		 72.6 %
1,004 hPa		 05:40:33
21:06:59
Dec. 17th 2025 Dec. 17th 2025 max: 10.3 °C
min: 8.3 °C 		19.8 m/s
44.3 m/s		 100.0 %
16.3 m		 91.4 %
1,014 hPa		 05:40:50
21:07:40
Dec. 18th 2025 Dec. 18th 2025 max: 18.4 °C
min: 9.2 °C 		17.6 m/s
37.3 m/s		 88.0 %
8.7 m		 85.5 %
1,011 hPa		 05:41:08
21:08:18
Dec. 19th 2025 Dec. 19th 2025 max: 18.1 °C
min: 10.4 °C 		12.0 m/s
27.7 m/s		 56.4 %
16.9 m		 86.6 %
1,003 hPa		 05:41:30
21:08:54
Dec. 20th 2025 Dec. 20th 2025 max: 10.5 °C
min: 6.4 °C 		12.6 m/s
27.5 m/s		 98.5 %
23.9 m		 81.0 %
1,007 hPa		 05:41:53
21:09:28
Dec. 21st 2025 Dec. 21st 2025 max: 15.2 °C
min: 4.1 °C 		15.8 m/s
23.4 m/s		 16.8 %
24.1 m		 76.4 %
1,005 hPa		 05:42:20
21:10:00
Dec. 22nd 2025 Dec. 22nd 2025 max: 18.8 °C
min: 11.6 °C 		13.0 m/s
24.1 m/s		 60.0 %
24.1 m		 70.8 %
1,007 hPa		 05:42:48
21:10:29
Dec. 23rd 2025 Dec. 23rd 2025 max: 27.0 °C
min: 11.6 °C 		16.2 m/s
46.1 m/s		 47.1 %
21.0 m		 65.2 %
1,009 hPa		 05:43:20
21:10:56
Dec. 24th 2025 Dec. 24th 2025 max: 23.1 °C
min: 13.8 °C 		13.8 m/s
41.8 m/s		 93.7 %
21.7 m		 73.3 %
1,012 hPa		 05:43:53
21:11:20
Dec. 25th 2025 Dec. 25th 2025 max: 24.8 °C
min: 13.2 °C 		8.6 m/s
11.9 m/s		 16.4 %
20.7 m		 75.7 %
1,014 hPa		 05:44:29
21:11:42
Dec. 26th 2025 Dec. 26th 2025 max: 13.2 °C
min: 9.9 °C 		8.6 m/s
17.3 m/s		 93.4 %
18.5 m		 91.5 %
1,022 hPa		 05:45:07
21:12:02

Cruises to Akaroa

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.

Scheduled ship calls in Akaroa, New Zealand
Date Ship Passaengers (min - max) Arrival Departure Details
Jan. 13th 2026 Tuesday, 13th of Jan. 2026 Azamara Pursuit 704 - 774 08:00 am 06:00 pm
Jan. 27th 2026 Tuesday, 27th of Jan. 2026 Azamara Pursuit 704 - 774 07:00 am 05:00 pm
Feb. 16th 2026 Monday, 16th of Feb. 2026 Seabourn Sojourn 450 - 540 07:00 am 07:00 pm
Feb. 21st 2026 Saturday, 21st of Feb. 2026 Azamara Onward 672 - 804 08:00 am 05:00 pm
Feb. 26th 2026 Thursday, 26th of Feb. 2026 Scenic Eclipse II 228 12:00 am 12:00 am
Dec. 13th 2026 Sunday, 13th of Dec. 2026 Azamara Pursuit 704 - 774 08:00 am 06:00 pm
Dec. 13th 2026 Sunday, 13th of Dec. 2026 Silver Moon 576 - 691 08:00 am 06:00 pm
Dec. 23rd 2026 Wednesday, 23rd of Dec. 2026 Azamara Pursuit 704 - 774 08:00 am 05:00 pm
Jan. 13th 2027 Wednesday, 13th of Jan. 2027 Azamara Pursuit 704 - 774 08:00 am 06:00 pm
Jan. 26th 2027 Tuesday, 26th of Jan. 2027 Silver Moon 576 - 691 08:00 am 06:00 pm
Jan. 27th 2027 Wednesday, 27th of Jan. 2027 Azamara Pursuit 704 - 774 07:00 am 05:00 pm
Feb. 11th 2027 Thursday, 11th of Feb. 2027 Azamara Quest 722 - 794 09:00 am 05:00 pm
Mar. 1st 2027 Monday, 1st of Mar. 2027 Seabourn Quest 450 - 540 07:00 am 07:00 pm
Mar. 8th 2027 Monday, 8th of Mar. 2027 MSC Magnifica 2506 - 3007 08:00 am 06:00 pm
Mar. 10th 2027 Wednesday, 10th of Mar. 2027 HANSEATIC spirit 199 - 230 08:00 am 04:00 pm
Dec. 13th 2027 Monday, 13th of Dec. 2027 Azamara Pursuit 704 - 774 08:00 am 05:00 pm
Dec. 31st 2027 Friday, 31st of Dec. 2027 Seven Seas Mariner 708 - 779 08:00 am 05:00 pm
Jan. 10th 2028 Monday, 10th of Jan. 2028 Seven Seas Mariner 708 - 779 08:00 am 05:00 pm
Jan. 14th 2028 Friday, 14th of Jan. 2028 Azamara Pursuit 704 - 774 08:00 am 05:00 pm
Jan. 29th 2028 Saturday, 29th of Jan. 2028 Azamara Pursuit 704 - 774 08:00 am 05:00 pm
Feb. 20th 2028 Sunday, 20th of Feb. 2028 Azamara Onward 672 - 804 08:00 am 05:00 pm
Feb. 26th 2028 Saturday, 26th of Feb. 2028 Seven Seas Splendor 754 - 829 08:00 am 05:00 pm

Alle zeigen

Galery: Akaroa

Photos by cruise fans for cruise fans!
Share your best pictures with the community and discover authentic images from travellers who have already been there.

- There are no photos available for Akaroa yet.

Join in, show your holiday photos from Akaroa

Share your holiday photos with the community and inspire others to their next adventure!

There are a few basic rules to follow

.
  1. Your picture should have been taken by yourself (the author) and fit into the current category.
  2. The picture should not show persons who do not agree to be published. An exception is made for people who only appear as an accessory in the picture. You can find an example of this exception [heere].
  3. Your image should not show any protected buildings, artwork, or other protected objects, unless the architecture is freely visible from a public street or square and the photo was taken from such a publicly accessible location. The same applies to artworks in public spaces that are permanently installed (panorama freedom).
  4. Naturally, you should ensure that your images are not discriminatory, offensive, or otherwise inappropriate.

Image Upload

Take/select photo   or drag & drop here

Non-public information¹:

By uploading images to the website portguide.org, the user declares that he is the author of the works and that they are free of third-party rights. The author hereby grants DEVEY DIGITAL Inh. Oliver Devey the non-exclusive right to use the images on its websites. However, the user remains the sole owner of the images and has the right to revoke the granted usage right at any time. There is no entitlement to the publication of the images. The operator reserves the right not to publish the images if they violate applicable law or its guidelines. The operator assumes no liability for any claims by third parties regarding the use of the images.

¹If users provide images by uploading them on their own initiative, the name and address of the author will be stored in addition to the actual image file in reduced resolution (1280x720px) for the duration of the usage agreement. This personal data will not be published and will not be used for advertising purposes or shared with third parties under any circumstances. The information is required to be able to legitimize the author of a work, for example, in the event of subsequent modification requests.

Gender note: For the sake of readability, the male form has been chosen in the text, although the information refers to members of both genders.


Maritime AIS Data Akaroa

Other ports within 300km of Akaroa

Port Distance
Audio tone in New Zealand 29,95 km
Christchurch in New Zealand 40,32 km
Timaru in New Zealand 151,88 km
Kaikoura in New Zealand 166,39 km
Nelson in New Zealand 282,84 km
Port Chalmers in New Zealand 290,39 km
Picton in New Zealand 291,96 km
footer cruise ship