Fees · Destination Guide
Swim with wild Hector's dolphins, explore protected volcanic coastline, and watch penguins from Akaroa.
Key fee: NZeTA request for eligible visa-waiver visitor
NZD $17 via official app or NZD $23 via official website
Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.
Budget in NZD for optional wildlife and guided activities, plus any nationality-dependent border fees. The current direct operator listings show dolphin swims, boat-only cruises, sea kayaking and penguin tours as distinct paid products. DOC does not publish a general visitor dive-tag charge for these two reserves on the reviewed pages. Confirm any site-specific charge before booking. Commercial marine-mammal tours require a DOC permit held by the operator, not a self-issued tourist wildlife permit. Prices are published offers rather than proof of a seat on a particular date.
| Fee | Amount | Applies to | Where to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NZeTA request for eligible visa-waiver visitor | NZD $17 via official app or NZD $23 via official website As stated on the immigration site; check eligibility and NZeTA validity at application | Eligible travellers requiring an NZeTA before boarding | Where to pay | Not a universal visa charge. Different visitor permissions, residency or citizenship may mean no NZeTA or a different visa. |
| International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) | NZD $100 for most international visitors Paid with eligible NZeTA/visa applications; exemptions depend on immigration class | Most international tourists subject to IVL | Where to pay | This is a nationwide visitor levy, not a Banks Peninsula dive or marine reserve permit. |
| Akaroa and Pohatu marine reserve visitor access | No separate visitor marine-reserve admission tag identified on reviewed DOC reserve pages Check any site-specific access, conservation, private-land or operator conditions before each visit | Recreational observers, snorkelers and appropriately equipped divers | No separate visitor tag documented; consult DOC reserve pages | No taking, fishing or spearfishing within the reserves. Guided transport, land access, parking or private concessions may still cost money. |
| Black Cat guided dolphin swim | NZD $250 adult 16+, $220 child 8-15, $180 spectator Operator's published October-April swim season; variable departure and space | Permit-guided sea swimmers and ticketed spectators | Where to pay | Includes a 5mm wetsuit and mask. Wild encounters and a swim are not guaranteed. Missed dolphins do not produce an automatic cash refund; check the re-cruise promise. |
| Black Cat Akaroa Nature Cruise | NZD $130 adult 16+, $60 child 5-15, under 5 free with adult Year-round product, subject to conditions and current schedule | Nature-cruise guests not entering the water | Where to pay | Two-hour harbour wildlife cruise. The check-in point is 61 Beach Road during main wharf reconstruction. |
| Pohatu Penguins evening penguin tour | NZD $125 adult, $85 child 5-15, $55 infant 2-4, published direct operator rates Operator timetable; no evening penguin tours in March | Guided 4WD-assisted penguin conservation tour | Where to pay | Includes 4WD transfer and guided viewing from Akaroa. Older web pages have lower prices and should not override the current /Tours product page. |
| Pohatu guided wildlife sea kayaking | NZD $145 adult early departure or NZD $155 adult scenic midday/afternoon option; children NZD $105 Early departure October-April; longer scenic option all-year pattern with season-specific start time | Guided 4WD-assisted sea-kayaking participants | Where to pay | The operator may change or cancel exposed routes in poor conditions; seasonal departure and actual price should be rechecked. |
| Pohatu Wildside Discovery short nature tour | NZD $105 adult, $55 child 5-15, $35 infant 2-4 Check current product schedule; operator lists summer and winter departure hours | Land wildlife and conservation excursion guests | Where to pay | A guided nature alternative when in-water activities are unsuitable. Wildlife is not guaranteed. |
| Akaroa French Connection scenic coach | NZD $80 adult return on current operator homepage; verify at checkout Published daily service, timetable and temporary stop subject to operator change | Road passengers between Christchurch city and Akaroa | Where to pay | Some older pages list NZD $70; use the live main-page quote unless the booking checkout specifies otherwise. Not an airport or marine-reserve transfer. |
| The Giant's House garden and gallery | NZD $35 adult, $20 child ages 2-15 on official website Normal seasonal opening hours; closed December 25 | Garden and gallery visitors | Where to pay | Ordinary garden entry does not require advance booking for individuals; check latest price and closures. |
| Hinewai Reserve walking access | Free pedestrian entry; donations encouraged Subject to private conservation manager's visitor rules and track closures | Visitors following designated trails | Where to pay | Private conservation property. No pets, fire, smoking or camping; trail access may change for restoration or safety. |
Fee
As stated on the immigration site; check eligibility and NZeTA validity at application
Not a universal visa charge. Different visitor permissions, residency or citizenship may mean no NZeTA or a different visa.
Paid with eligible NZeTA/visa applications; exemptions depend on immigration class
This is a nationwide visitor levy, not a Banks Peninsula dive or marine reserve permit.
Check any site-specific access, conservation, private-land or operator conditions before each visit
No taking, fishing or spearfishing within the reserves. Guided transport, land access, parking or private concessions may still cost money.
Operator's published October-April swim season; variable departure and space
Includes a 5mm wetsuit and mask. Wild encounters and a swim are not guaranteed. Missed dolphins do not produce an automatic cash refund; check the re-cruise promise.
Year-round product, subject to conditions and current schedule
Two-hour harbour wildlife cruise. The check-in point is 61 Beach Road during main wharf reconstruction.
Operator timetable; no evening penguin tours in March
Includes 4WD transfer and guided viewing from Akaroa. Older web pages have lower prices and should not override the current /Tours product page.
Early departure October-April; longer scenic option all-year pattern with season-specific start time
The operator may change or cancel exposed routes in poor conditions; seasonal departure and actual price should be rechecked.
Check current product schedule; operator lists summer and winter departure hours
A guided nature alternative when in-water activities are unsuitable. Wildlife is not guaranteed.
Published daily service, timetable and temporary stop subject to operator change
Some older pages list NZD $70; use the live main-page quote unless the booking checkout specifies otherwise. Not an airport or marine-reserve transfer.
Normal seasonal opening hours; closed December 25
Ordinary garden entry does not require advance booking for individuals; check latest price and closures.
Subject to private conservation manager's visitor rules and track closures
Private conservation property. No pets, fire, smoking or camping; trail access may change for restoration or safety.