On Tuesday, April 1st, 44 Year 12 Tourism students embarked on a trip to Akaroa to experience one of its top tourist attractions—the award-winning Black Cat dolphin cruise.

During our two-hour boat ride around Akaroa Bay, we were lucky enough to see beautiful Hector's dolphins, fur seals, and a variety of bird species. As we cruised through the old volcanic crater, we looked at ancient lava flows and the lush Nikau Palm Gully. From the water, we also had the opportunity to view the Takapūneke Reserve monument, a site of great significance in Māori history, as well as Onūku Marae, one of the locations where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in Te Waipounamu.

After returning to the harbour, we split up for lunch, with students choosing between a Thai restaurant, fish and chips, or Bugger Me Burgers—highly recommended by Georgia Vogan. On the bus ride back, Georgia, a local resident, provided insightful commentary about Akaroa, sharing the best sights, activities, and the top five walks in the area. She also recommended trying the wedges at the Duvauchelle Pub.

Overall, it was a fantastic trip where we learned a lot and had a great time exploring Akaroa.