Monday, 3 February 2025 - Anchored off Akaroa, and took a nature cruise of the bay to see Hector's Dolphins and Fur Seals, then explored the town including the Akaroa Head Lighthouse, Coronation Library, gardens, and historical sites, enjoying the picturesque harbor and volcanic landscape.
Sunrise as we sail toward the port in Akaroa.
Towering cliffs as we enter the passage to Akaroa Harbour.
Clouds began the day with the sun briefly shining on the surrounding mountains.
Akaroa is known for the Akoroa Head Lighthouse, which we visit once ashore.
The Seabourn Quest in the Akaroa Harbour.
A grassy pasture high in surrounding mountains.
Near the harbor entrance, the cliffs drop right into the sea.
The water erosion creates interesting caves and overhangs in the cliffs.
A cave carved by the water.
Hector's Dolphins swim by the boat. We spent an hour and a half of a two-hour wildlife tour
looking at the rare Hector's Dolphins. That was about an hour too long.
We spend 10 minutes driving by Fur Seals on a set of rocks.
At first this pup slept, then our boat came by...
The seal popped up to see what all the fuss.
They have such tiny little ears and a sweet face.
A little one shaking off after a swim.
A mother with a weaning calf.
A little seal pup moving along the rocks away from the boat.
High on the steep hillside were a few sheep.
Back on land we walked around Akaroa. This is the door to the Akaroa Head Lighthouse.
Gardens and a tree on the steep hills of Akaroa.
Virginia Ann, Cal, and Tricia on their exploration of Akaroa.
Akaroa Coronation Library named following the coronation of King George in 1911.
Originally built in 1875.
Books in the Akaroa Coronation Library.
Beautiful New Zealand Christmas Tree, the Pohutukawa tree.
The Peninsula War Memorial unveiled in 1923, commemorates the soldiers lost in WWI, WWII,
and the South African Wars.
In the 1830's the French sought to establish a presence on the South Island and began the settlement of
Akaroa. The British did not welcome the French influence on the settlement but over a period of years
allowed the
settlers to stay.
The hills above Akaroa.
Akoroa is set on a sheltered harbor overlooked and surrounded by remnants from an
eruptive center of the Banks Peninsula Volcano.
From the harbor the mountains rise in all directions, we are in a bowl of a volcano.
Still leaning French...
The dramatic cliffs as we leave Akora and reflect on what a charming and picturesque port "ville le
Francais".
