Home > Akaroa > Swimming with Wild Dolphins in Akaroa
USD $65.00
Swimming with Wild Dolphins in Akaroa
Akaroa, New Zealand
Make a date with the worlds smallest, rarest and friendliest dolphins only on Akaroa Harbour. There is only one place on the planet where you can swim with wild Hector's dolphins, also known as the New Zealand Dolphin, and that is the beautiful sheltered Akaroa Harbour.
Akoroa Harbour is a sheltered harbor, a flooded crater of an extinct volcano surrounded by awe-inspiring volcanic cliffs. With a group limit of 10 people per vessel, the Akaroa swimming with dolphins tour means it will be an even more intimate experience.
The 2-hour dolphin tour is very popular due to the limited number of passengers permitted per departure. Book now to avoid disappointment.
You will be guaranteed a safe and memorable dolphin swim.
The tour operator was the first cruise boat company in the world to get the coveted Green Globe 21, an international program to ensure best environmental practices.
Dolphin Sightseeing Guarantee - If you see dolphins but for some reason do not get to swim with them, then receive a part refund. NZ $85 refund if no dolphins are found and a NZ $55 refund if dolphins found but you are unable to swim with them. In the last 12 months we saw dolphins on 98% of our cruises and had successful swims on 81%.
All crew are highly trained. This means that you'll get a great briefing on how to interact with the dolphins and what to expect prior to your journey. They'll also give you safety instructions to allow you to enjoy your experience. If you are new to snorkeling and use of a wetsuit your crew will be on hand to help you out.
All equipment is provided including wetsuit, masks and snorkel. You only have to bring a swimsuit and a towel. With hot showers available.
The vessel is a heated, covered, jet powered catamaran. It's safer for you and the dolphins because there are no propellers. It's also heated so after your swim you can warm up quickly in the cabin.
We had the privilege of spending forty five minutes in the water with Hector dolphins around us- an unforgettable experience!
Review by: Vaishali P, October 2017
we unfortunately never got to swim with the dolphins... they weren't cooperating :-
Review by: Tamara F, April 2017
Even though we didn't get to swim with any dolphins, we had an amazing experience on the water watching the dolphins in their natural environment. The team were very apologetic for us not swimming with them, but we were offered a refund for that part of the tour. Would highly recommend this tour!!
Review by: Lin S, April 2016
Did not get to see the Dolphins. I know it is not in the control of your company. I did enjoy the trip, the boat driver and tour guide. I did enjoy jumping into the ocean with the wet suit on that was a great . Thank you for the experience.
Review by: Stephanie C, March 2016
Interesting experience, but be forewarned that the water is really cold. Several people on our trip could not even be in the water at all. You are never very close to the dolphins, but they are amazing animals.
Review by: Viv P, February 2016
It was a wonderful trip and the staff on the boat were great with their knowledge and efforts to find some dolphins for us to swim with. They did their utmost but the dolphins just weren't being obliging on the day and when we did get in the water - they disappeared! The skipper did his best to try and find more but wasnt to be. It was still a great trip and well worth it.
Review by: Royce P, February 2016
We just want to thank Timmy, Jenny and the team for the most amazing experience swimming with the dolphins!!! Absolutely unreal - and we also got engaged at the same time out there, and the crew on board and back at the base went WAY above and beyond the call of duty to make it even more special out there!!! we will never ever forget it!!! and there were so many dolphin around - literally got in the water about 10minutes in and didn't need to go anywhere else until our time was up!
Review by: Georgina T, January 2016
The guys from Black Cat were amazing. We had such a great time. Swimming with the Hectors Dolphins a once in a lifetime experience Awesome
Review by: Amit P, January 2016
Took this tour on Dec 26, 2015. It was one of the best activities we did on South Island. My kids didn and #39;t swim with dolphins but afterwards were whining for missing the best part. The staff was super friendly and polite.
Review by: Heather M, December 2015
Such an amazing experience. I love the fact that this is based on the conservation of the dolphins, they do not feed or make sounds to encourage the dolphins but rather leave it up to the natural curiosity of them to some check out the humans floating in their waters. The crew was great, very knowledgeable and ensured we had a fabulous time.
Review by: Andrew S, March 2015
This tour was amazing!
Review by: Megan A, March 2015
We had a great time on the harbour. The dolphins were about. The swimming was fine and the wet suits warm.
Review by: Florian B, March 2015
Incredible expierience! I love it!
Review by: BENJAMYN Y, November 2014
The drive was pretty to the small town of Akaroa. We arrived, and it was an overcast drizzly morning. By the time we got out on the water, the sun came out and the clouds cleared away. We sighted 10-15 dolphins, and were able to get out of the boat twice. The second time, the dolphins were more interested and started swimming through the group. It was fun vocalizing in the water through our snorkels to attract the dolphins. When we got back to the dock, the clouds came back and it started raining hard. We had the perfect window to go out. And the entire staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. I highly recommend the hot water poured into the back of our wetsuit! :-)
Review by: Jennifer F, March 2014
Very friendly and interesting staff. We would recommend the company to anyone wishing to experience the dolphins.
Review by: Sheldon W, February 2014
Great if you like - I mean, really like - dolphins. The trip went well, staff were proficient and competent in explaining the natural history of these dolphins. They emphasized that, as wild creatures in their natural environment, guarantees of behaviour could not be made. In the event we had only limited contact with these mammals and, although this met the terms of our booking, they voluntarily provided a partial refund. If you like dolphins this firm presents itself as knowledgeable and of high integrity. I strongly commend and recommend them.
Review by: Mandy M, January 2014
I found this tour very interesting. The staff were very friendly. We saw several dolphins close to the boat but unfortunately none of them stayed close by so we couldn't actually swim with the dolphins. We got refunded $50 because of that which was great. On the way back we also got some hot chocolate. I'd go again if I was ever in the area again.
Review by: Julianne C, December 2013
Great crew and experience. Met lovely people from all around the world and also met 6 Hector's dolphins! Hot chocolate and a gingernut biscuit on the way back was greatly appreciated. Highly recommend this tour.
Review by: Isabella C, April 2013
We had a great time. The sights are amazing and the guides were helpful. The water was a little brisk, but the wetsuits were fine. The dolphins came around, but weren't very interested in sticking around very long with us that day, but we still enjoyed ourselves. We were very happy with the experience, but the guides said it wasn't a full enough of an adventure and gave us a partial refund! Great experience.
Review by: Tony O, January 2013
BOOK DIRECTLY. The trip was freat but bookiing via Viatour was a mistake. I didn't receive any information about how fr it was from Christchurch, one hour, and I alsmost missed the tour.It was lucky I had a car. Also Viatour provided no address or directions on arrival and I had to wing it as I was in a hurry and no phone connection.
Review by: Sas, December 2012
This was an incredible trip. We got to swim with quite a few dolphins and the guide was very informative. The dolphins were swimming right up to us and then around us. I wasn't scared at all even in the deep water. We were in the water for about 45 mins. You get thick wetsuites so you don't get cold
Review by: Maria N, May 2012
Amazing experience! Wonderful landscapes to begin with, the dolphins are very social and it's so much fun to have them swimming right next to you! The staff is very enthusiastic and well informed. The water is cold, but the suits really help. Definitely a must-do if you are in the area!
Review by: Catherine H, September 2011
Excellent.....staff was inviting and entertaining. We saw numerous dolphins and they swam right up to the group!! Great experience......
Review by: Katherine S, June 2011
Ended up doing the Harbour Cruise, but was also enjoyable.
Review by: Michael C, March 2011
Cute little dolphins. They swim by so fast though. Water was very cold, but the wetsuits helped. Not the same as swimming with the dolphins at Seaworld, but still a good experience.
Review by: nzamora, January 2011
_Very cool experience! You can't touch the dolphins (which they explain), but it's really neat when they swim through the group! The water is very cold... but the wet suits and socks they give you keep you pretty warm. Don't forget your towel!
Review by: Geoffrey J, February 2010
Unfortunate day for us, the weather was really bad and we didn't get to see any dolphins. Can't control nature, but the boat ride was great fun!
Review by: John M, February 2010
I highly recommend swimming with the dolphins, it was a wedding present for me, and it was the best one i have ever had, and i would do it again next time we are in New Zealand. I have told every one about it, thank you for advertising it for us to find and book.
Review by: Geoffrey J, Australia, January 2010
Unfortunate day for us, the weather was really bad and we didn't get to see any dolphins. Can't control nature, but the boat ride was great fun!
Review by: John M, Australia, December 2009
I highly recommend swimming with the dolphins, it was a wedding present for me, and it was the best one i have ever had, and i would do it again next time we are in New Zealand. I have told every one about it, thank you for advertising it for us to find and book.
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