PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY
Hector’s dolphins, found within Akaroa Harbour, are a major tourist attraction.
Akaroa, which was settled by the French in August 1840, became a popular cruise ship destination after the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes damaged the port of Lyttelton.
In the summer of 2009-10, Akaroa was visited by seven cruise ships.
This increased to 90 cruise ships in 2019 and 2020.
The numbers reduced to 19 cruise ships in 2022 with the opening of Lyttelton cruise ship berth.
Only a handful of small cruise ships are expected for the next season.
