Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Twin Harbour Tour (Lyttelton & Akaroa)
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
3.6/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Twin Harbour Tour (Lyttelton & Akaroa) worth booking?
Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Twin Harbour Tour (Lyttelton & Akaroa) is a 8-hour experience in Christchurch, New Zealand, from $20 per person. It scores 57 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.6/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 57 / 100
- Rating
- 3.6/5 (5)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $20 per person
A shore excursion highlighting the magnificent scenery of the Banks Peninsula and its twin harbours of Lyttelton & Akaroa. From Lyttelton travel through the harbours inner bays through Gebbies Pass, Lakes Ellesmere & For
What you get
- Lunch - (if option chosen)
- Lunch
- Driver/guide
- Sightseeing nature cruise
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Port pickup and drop-off
About this experience
A shore excursion highlighting the magnificent scenery of the Banks Peninsula and its twin harbours of Lyttelton & Akaroa. From Lyttelton travel through the harbours inner bays through Gebbies Pass, Lakes Ellesmere & Forsyth and onto the hilltop overlooking Akaroa Harbour. Enjoy a two-hour nature cruise in Akaroa Harbour, with usual sightings of the rare Hector’s Dolphins and other native marine wildlife, followed by an optional lunch at Bully Hayes. In the afternoon, visit a cheese factory and stop on the hills overlooking Christchurch for great views of the city and Canterbury Plains.
What's included
Included
- Lunch - (if option chosen)
- Lunch
- Driver/guide
- Sightseeing nature cruise
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Port pickup and drop-off
Not included
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Leisure Tours
The default start time is 8.30am or up to 1 hour after your ship commences disembarkation, depending on what time your ship docks.
30 minutes here
Akaroa
This day tour explores the Banks Peninsula and the twin harbours of Lyttelton and Akaroa with numerous photo opportunities of some spectacular scenery throughout including Lakes Forsyth and Ellesmere, the Canterbury Plains, the South Islands Southern Alps and views of Christchurch from the Sign of the Takahe situated on the hills directly above the city. From Lyttelton, the tour travels around the inner bays of Lyttelton Harbour, Corsair Bay, Cass Bay, Rapaki and Governor’s Bay and then travels over Gebbies Pass and onto the Akaroa Highway for Akaroa, stopping on route at Birdlings Flat, (a shingle beach at the tip of Banks Peninsula, affording great views of this rugged southern coastline) and at the hilltop which enters into Akaroa. The stop at the hilltop affords a magnificent view and photo opportunity of the entire Akaroa Harbour.
90 minutes here
join Black Cat for a two hour nature cruise on the Akaroa Harbour. This full commentary cruise of this spectacular harbor includes a host of native marine life. You will normally see the rare Hector’s Dolphins, New Zealand Fur Seals and the Little Blue Penguin, as well as a number of native marine birds that populate this coastline.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Twin Harbour Tour - With Lunch
Full day tour of the twin harbours with lunch included in the price. Pickup included
Twin Harbour Tour - No Lunch
Full day tour of the twin harbours without lunch included in the price. Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Leisure Tours
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
1 mentionReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
1 mentionPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Good for families
1 mentionReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
5 verified traveler reviews for Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Twin Harbour Tour (Lyttelton & Akaroa). Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Enlightening and informative adventure.
Terry was our driver and tour guide. His humor and knowledge of the area kept everyone involved with questions and laughter. The 14 passenger coach was comfortable and the PA system allowed all to hear him. Terry was courteous, safe, and very accommodating (I was handicapped). There was no worries about whether we would get back in time to continue our cruise... he was well informed and made sure that all were accounted for. I highly recommend this company!!
Response from the operator: Great review and great comments about Terry. He is a real treat and if he is having a fun trip, then everyone is having a fun trip. Sounds like everyone had a great day - thank you again.
via Tripadvisor
Wonderful scenery!! The dolphins, seals and birds fantastic!
We loved each aspect of this tour. The drive had beautiful scenery. The boat trip was a highlight filled with more fantastic views and wildlife 😊. The lunch so pleasant and delicious!! Do not hesitate to book this tour!!
Response from the operator: Kiaora and thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed your day with us!
via Tripadvisor
Eco tour of Lyrtlwton & Akaroa
If this was the Eco tour-it was the most amazing day! Our tour guide and driverTania put her heart and soul into making sure everyone was taken care of, didn’t get lost, had the best experience and treated us like family. We saw lots of dolphins, seals, shore and sea birds, helicopters spraying the mountainside, Tania is a valuable asset to leisure tours and I hope to do another excursion with her! Awesome day Thank you
Response from the operator: Kiaora and thanks for leaving a review. A great description of your day that will certainly help others. I'm glad you enjoyed your day with Tania
via Tripadvisor
Not received refund after trip was canceled due to weather conditions
I received msg from TripAdvisor, due to bad weather, this trip was canceled, but I have not received any update on refund my payment for this trip!
Response from the operator: The refund was authorised through Viator who hold the money. However, it takes three to five working days for them to process and before the funds appear in your account. The customers account is showing at our end as refunded in full.
via Tripadvisor
Disappointed in this tour
We found it difficult to meet the bus although we followed instructions given. Had to phone the company who came and picked us up. Along with another group who were booked on the same tour. The drivers then conducted several head counts to see which group would go on which bus. We were crammed into the bus, with the four people in the back seat sitting slightly sideways to fit. Not very comfortable conditions as it was 2 hours each way. We didn’t stop at the advertised cheese factory stop as apparently there were too many people there. Stopped for a photo opportunity at a cafe/bar where our guide told us we could use the toilets, however staff very rudely told us we had to purchase something first. Boat trip was great, met all expectations, however the guide asked us to walk to ticket office where he read out our names and gave us our tickets, before we could explore town or go to lunch. Not sure why he couldn’t have just picked up our tickets for us. Commentary was almost non existent, and this was commented on by most on the tour. I have been on lots of tours in Aust and overseas and this is the very first time I have been disappointed and the first time I have given unfavourable feedback. Not very well organised with the guide unaware of the ship’s boarding time. Would not recommend. We were not collected or returned to the port as we had expected, but used the shuttle bus provided by the ship to meet up with the tour.
Response from the operator: Lyttleton Port where the cruise ship berths is in a restricted area and the only way in or out of the port is by shuttle. Everyone arrived in a timely manner and the tour departed without issue. The vehicle used on the day was a modern comfortable 18 seater tour vehicle with 12 people, so unsure why anybody would be sitting sideways across the back. The drive time from Lyttleton is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Everyone was aware of the ships boarding time and the driver was back in port an hour prior to the ships departure. It is disappointing to receive such an inaccurate review.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $20 to $330
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Leisure Tours, who run 33 experiences we rank across 3 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 57.6.
See everything Leisure Tours runsWhy this scores 57
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Twin Harbour Tour (Lyttelton & Akaroa): questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Christchurch.
How much does Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Twin Harbour Tour (Lyttelton & Akaroa) cost?
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Prices start at $20 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Christchurch usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Twin Harbour Tour (Lyttelton & Akaroa) take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Christchurch is not rushed.
Is Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Twin Harbour Tour (Lyttelton & Akaroa) worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 57 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.6/5 across 5 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Christchurch, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Twin Harbour Tour (Lyttelton & Akaroa)?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Twin Harbour Tour (Lyttelton & Akaroa) suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Twin Harbour Tour (Lyttelton & Akaroa)?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Christchurch can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Christchurch and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Twin Harbour Tour (Lyttelton & Akaroa) start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Christchurch within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Christchurch?
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On Outty we rank every Christchurch experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include TranzAlpine Train, Arthur's Pass and Castle Hill Day Trip, Lord of the Rings, Journey to Edoras Day Tour from Christchurch, Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo and Tasman Glacier Tour from Christchurch. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Christchurch?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Christchurch?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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