Top Things to Do in Akaroa, New Zealand, from a Cruise Ship - Created by BoostVacations.com Staff

Pohatu Penguins/Plunge NZ LTD offers unique nature and sea kayak tours from Akaroa, New Zealand. The tour options all visit Pohatu Marine Reserve at a small coastal bay nestled between dramatic volcanic headlands on Banks Peninsula. Pohatu is home to the largest Little Penguin colony on mainland New Zealand.

The reserve was completely forested in pre-human times but, as with much of Banks Peninsula, the forest cover was severely reduced, especially after European settlement. The transformation from open pasture and gorse to native vegetation has occurred rapidly. The reserve includes 20 walking tracks open to the public, including part of the Banks Peninsula Track.

This article is about the peninsula on New Zealand's South Island. For the peninsula in Canada's Nunavut Territory, see Banks Peninsula (Nunavut). Banks Peninsula is a peninsula of volcanic origin on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand.

Small group tours to a magnificent New Zealand Fur Seal colony in Akaroa, near Christchurch in the South Island.

The Akaroa Museum was established in 1964 around the historic Langlois-Eteveneaux cottage, a rare remnant of the French presence in Akaroa. Since then, the Museum has expanded to include three exhibition galleries, a research room, theatre, and shop. Two additional heritage buildings, the old Akaroa Court House and the Custom House are also under the care of the Museum.

Akaroa, with its own beautiful bays and harbour, French and English history has an enormous range of activities to keep you busy for days. In Flea bay you will find the largest little penguin colony on mainland New Zealand.