Fox II Sailing — Local services in Banks Peninsula Community

Fox II cruises: Loved our boat tour! Such a fun ship. I was especially looking for a ship like the Fox II. I liked that it was a sail boat that could turn off its engines and you could sail silently through the water and take in the scenery. We were lucky enough to see a half dozen or more Hector dolphins. Many of the dolphins spent ample time at the bow of the ship playing in the wake. They swam so close to the boat and did fun jumps out of the water. We had Ray as our captain and he was so knowledgeable. I had heard he was good at telling the history of the area and I was not disappointed. He knew SO much and seemed to always answer all our questions we had before we asked them. The crew was very helpful and kind. They brought us extra coats when it was cold. They brought us cookies and hot chocolate. They never seemed annoyed or bothered if we were in their way when they were trying to work on the sails. They were very attentive to our needs. Ray was an extremely talented captain. We sailed on a day with large rolling waves near the inlet and he navigated them all in such a way that it didn’t seem like it was hard or difficult. We would 100% recommend them to anyone wanting to see...

Sailing with the Fox II provided an absolutely fantastic experience! From the moment we stepped aboard, it was evident that we were in for something special. The boat itself is a true gem, and the intimate group size made us feel incredibly fortunate. We were treated to incredible sightings of dolphins, seals, and penguins, all set against the backdrop of stunning natural beauty. The crew, led by the captain and another attentive staff member, went above and beyond to ensure our comfort and enjoyment. The complimentary hot drink was a thoughtful touch that added to the overall experience. Sailing on this historic vessel was a journey through time, and the added bonus of learning about Akaroa's history, local wildlife, and attractions made it even more enriching. It was a truly moving experience that stirred a newfound desire to explore the world by boat. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a memorable adventure! Thank you to the crew of the Fox II for an...

Unfortunately, in April, we only saw 1 baby seal for 3 minutes,1 seal in the distance in an otherwise empty seal colony, 1 penguin which had dived before we saw it, very little birdlife although we did see a petral, very little wind in the sails..we motored slowly, we didn’t sail, but we did see dolphins alongside for about 20 minutes, which was great. Very disappointing no-show from Mother Nature. We were told later by a local that April isn’t a good month to see such things. The skipper was very friendly and knowledgeable about the history and geology of Akaroa, and the crew was very friendly and did their job well. The skipper very generously offered to refund our trip cost pursuant to their satisfaction guaranteed policy, however, I feel that would be unjust and unfair of me to accept. It is not his fault. I’m just saying that perhaps it is a bit late for Nature to be resplendent in all its glory during this time...