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Our most intimate dolphin and wildlife experience in Akaroa, just 90-minutes from Christchurch. The opportunity to Swim with Hector’s dolphins and view marine animals that inhabit the beautiful Akaroa Harbour.
Highlights
- Swim with Hector’s dolphins, get close to New Zealand fur seals and other marine birdlife
- Rated as one of the ‘Top 10 Marine Mammal Experiences in The World’ by Lonely Planet!
- Small group with max 12 swimmers makes every trip an intimate experience
- Once in a lifetime experience with the world's smallest and rarest dolphin
- Complimentary refreshments onboard
Swimming with Dolphins - Akaroa, watch the video above!
Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, limited to only 12 swimmers per trip, and immerse yourself in the wonder of swimming with the world’s smallest and rarest dolphins – the Hector’s dolphin. Each tour is guided by a knowledgeable Nature Guide and Skipper aboard our specially designed vessel, which offers an informative commentary of the harbour while highlighting wildlife conservation efforts in the region. You’ll have the chance to swim with Hector’s dolphins, get close to ancient volcanic cliffs, and observe New Zealand fur seals alongside various marine bird species.
Refund Policy:
This is a nature-based experience with wild dolphins in their natural environment. While our crew has a high success rate, swims are not guaranteed and no refunds are given for unsuccessful swims.
In the unlikely event you don't see a Hector's Dolphin, we'll love for you to join us again - you'll recieve an open dated Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise Re-Cruise voucher for another chance to see them.
All prices are shown inNZD ($)
- Adult$125.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$180.00
- Adult$125.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$180.00
- Adult$125.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$180.00
- Adult$125.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$180.00
- Adult$125.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$180.00
- Adult$125.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$180.00
- Adult$125.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$180.00
Authenticated Reviews & Photos All of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme
Showing all 234 authenticated Bookme reviews
hadasyaron fromIsrael wrote on 03 April 2025
Amazing
This is one of the best attractions in nz for me. Although the weather was a bit gloomy and the sea wasn’t forgiving the team didn’t give up on finding a group of dolphins who wanted to play. We searched around 2 h. All this time we did saw the hector dolphins but couldn’t go in the water with them. At last we found a good group and jumped to the water, we saw them up close swimming all around us and had lots of fun. Bonus the crew takes your picture with them with no additional charge. Loved this experience ❤️❤️❤️❤️ thanks again
Clare fromNew Zealand wrote on 09 December 2024
Great trip
Loved this experience
zaida91 fromSpain wrote on 08 December 2024
Great experience
Lexie, Will and Thomas were great during the whole tour. They were really friendly and it was clear that they were really happy when they saw dolphins and tries to see if we could swim with them or not. We saw a calf with its mother and multiple pods. The experience to swim with them was incredible.
PHILIP HYMAN fromUnited Kingdom wrote on 05 November 2024
Fantastic
A super experience. The staff were friendly and informative. We swam near the dolphins as they weren't quite playing game! Also saw a penguin, fur seal and an albatross.
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carob fromBelgium wrote on 04 May 2025
45 minutes of delight
We were so incredibly lucky with the Hector dolphins being very interested and circling around and in between us for almost the full 45' in the water! Nice organisation where they take the natural dolphin behaviour into account and avoid disturbing them when they are not in social interaction but busy otherwise (e.g. feeding).