Image: Laura Honey | DOC
View of harbour.
Akaroa Marine Reserve

Located in Banks Peninsula area in the Canterbury region

Akaroa Marine Reserve, established in 2014, is one of the two marine reserves in Canterbury. It lies at the mouth of Akaroa Harbour and is 512 hectares.

Akaroa Marine Reserve is 3 km from Pōhatu Marine Reserve.

Akaroa Marine Reserve lies at the mouth of Akaroa harbour. It is approximately 500 hectares, about 10-12 percent of the harbour area.

Access by land to the reserve is only suitable for 4WD vehicles and parking is limited.

Follow State Highway 75 until you get to Akaroa, then stay on Rue Lavaud Rd/Beach Rd. Stay left as Beach Rd becomes Rue Jolie and then continue onto Onuku Rd. Turn left onto Lighthouse Rd until you reach the reserve.

The reserve is accessible by boats and kayaks, with public boat ramps available at Duvauchelle, Akaroa, and Wainui. Additionally, numerous guided boat tours depart from Akaroa Township.

Scuba diver warning

Scuba divers driving to the reserve should be aware that the road over the hills from Christchurch reaches nearly 600 meters above sea level. Plan your dives and surface times carefully to avoid decompression sickness (the bends) during the drive out.

Marine mammals

The reserve is home to seals, penguins, and dolphins that can become distressed or aggressive when approached. Maintain the required distance from marine mammals to ensure you have a safe encounter.

Marine reserve rules

You are not permitted to take any animals or natural items from the reserve, including fish, shellfish, shells, seaweed, rocks, or driftwood.

Sea and weather conditions

Be prepared for changeable weather conditions, as well as rouge waves. Plan you trip and stay safe. Check the coastguard communication guidelines on safe boating.

Akaroa Marine Reserve was established to protect habitat for lobster and pāua. It is also a hotspot for Hector’s dolphins, the world’s smallest dolphin. You can also see albatrosses, petrels, and many other seabirds in the area.

The Iongairo project, a partnership between papatipu rūnanga, Environment Canterbury, the University of Otago and DOC, was established to create detailed seafloor habitat maps around Banks Peninsula. This work will improve our knowledge of the biodiversity across the southern side of Banks Peninsula so we can protect these special areas.

Coastal projects | Environment Canterbury

Reporting pest species

If you find something unusual that may be a pest:

  • Record it: take photos and note the location and vessel name (if relevant).
  • Identify it: upload your photo to iNaturalist for help from the online community.
  • Report it: if you think it could be a new or harmful pest or disease, report it to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) as soon as possible by calling 0800 80 99 66 or completing MPI’s online reporting form.

Report illegal or suspicious activity

Don't take, disturb, kill or damage anything within the reserve - it's illegal. If you see people taking anything from the reserve, report the activity as soon as possible.

You can call 0800 4 POACHER (0800 476 224) or 0800 DOCHOT (0800 362 468).

It is also an offence to pollute or litter the reserve, discharge any firearm in or into the reserve or erect any structure in the reserve.