Destination Akaroa Ltd

Fishing Charters
Come fishing with us in the scenic splendour of Akaroa.

Coastal fishing 3.5 hours, half day
Coastal fishing 7 hours, full day
Harbour fishing 2.5 hours
Fish and dine 3 hours
The combination of time spent on the water along with stunning scenery and wildlife make for a memorable experience.

Fishing in Akaroa is all year round. The best catching times in summer are early morning or twilight, while in winter it is throughout the day.

Summer weather traditionally means that seldom are there two consecutive days when you are unable to get out, so we advise you to stay over to maximise your potential fishing time.

Sailing Adventures
With all sailing adventures, it’s your choice to work the boat, take the helm or sit back and relax. We have several options to meet your time restraints:

Lunchtime picnic harbour sailing tour - embark at noon
Twilight dinner and harbour tour - embark at 4pm. Dine in a secluded bay and return to watch the sunset
Overnight Banks Peninsula Adventure - embark at 4pm. Itinerary as for the dinner harbour tour, but you stay on board in your own cabin. Relax in the cockpit under a plethora of evening stars before retiring to be rocked to sleep in your berth. In the morning, rise to see Akaroa township awakening on your doorstep. Enjoy a hearty breakfast before disembarking to continue your experience of Akaroa on land
Book the boat for your accommodation in Akaroa
Sunday is race day! Embark at noon each Sunday. Join in the fun and excitement of the local yacht club races. Crew the boat in a race around the cans
Sail and fish. Sail to our favourite fishing spots while trolling for salmon and kahawai
Banks Peninsula and Akaroa’s volcanic harbour boasts pristine sailing grounds. The inner harbour holds the French settlement of Akaroa, the Maori village of Onoku Marae, wineries, and New Zealand’s oldest hotel.

Some of New Zealand’s most dramatic scenery is at your doorstep. Akaroa means “long harbour” and once you leave the area the coastline changes to provide sheer cliffs, volcanic reefs and pastureland, with an abundance of local aquatic and avian wildlife.

What better way to see all this, than from the water?

U Drive Boat Hire
Enjoy your own harbour cruise, fishing or water-skiing. For on-the-water fun in the sun – drive yourself! From $250.

Minimum 1/2 day hire. Discounts for longer term hire.

Sea biscuit available to hire.

Fishing and water ski equipment for hire.
Water-ski School
Equipment supplied with charter.

Learn how to ski or move up from two skis to one
Why use skis, learn how to ski barefoot
Water-ski, kneeboard and wakeboard tuition and coaching
$200 per person with one hour skiing per person. Minimum 2 hours. Maximum of 4 people.

French Akaroa Package Tour
DAY 1 – Depart Christchurch in the morning travelling over Banks Peninsula to Akaroa. On arrival you will check into your overnight accommodation.

In the afternoon, visit “The Giant’s House” – Linton, featured on television and in magazines worldwide. Its terraced gardens, distinctive sculptures, art gallery and large mosaic installations are a must-see in Akaroa.

DAY 2 – In the morning, enjoy a 2-hour cruise of Akaroa Harbour, sailing on the Fox II, a classic 85-year-old rigged ketch, or Sweet As, a modern 43.5ft sloop. Sit back and enjoy the marine life, including the rare Hector’s Dolphin, or join Black Cat Cruises for a 2-hour nature cruise of the Akaroa Harbour.

NB: Fox II sailing season 1 Jan – 30 Apr, Sweet As all year round. Please indicate your preference – sailing or Black Cat – at the time of booking.

Banks Peninsula Sailing Tour
DAY 1 – Arrive in Akaroa. Have an exquisite lunch at one of the many cafés and restaurants or take a visit to Linton, well known as “The Giant’s House”, before boarding your yacht at 3:30pm and settling into your cabin. Then it’s time to sit back and enjoy a tour of the harbour with a twilight barbecue in a secluded bay. Afterwards, moor up in front of Akaroa township with its sparkling lights before retiring for the night to the sounds of gently lapping water.

DAY 2 – Wake up for your breakfast in the cockpit with Akaroa as your backdrop. Take a paddle on the harbour or relax prior to disembarking for a leisurely stroll around the township, its cafés and shops.

Fish and Stay Package
DAY 1 – Check into your selected accommodation and enjoy a delicious lunch at one of the many cafés in town. On your arrival, or on the day prior to your arrival, we will confirm your fishing trip for either the same evening or early the following morning. If there’s no charter in the evening, dine at one of New Zealand’s best restaurants.

DAY 2 – If you went fishing the night before, enjoy a luxurious sleep-in and a leisurely breakfast before departing. If not, then it’s up early for a fishing trip at 7am, followed by brunch, before you disembark to enjoy the sights and attractions of Akaroa.

Add to your selected tour with an extra day
DAYS 1 & 2 – As above.

DAY 2 – Spend the afternoon at leisure. Visit the Akaroa museum, relax in a harbourside café, or stroll the narrow streets and view the quaint cottages.

DAY 3 – In the morning, explore the inner or outer bay’s mail run with the posties of Akaroa. The 4 1/2 hour mail run travels over some of the most beautiful scenery on the Banks Peninsula, including historical sites and places of interest, and a Maori marae.