Akaroa Dolphins: Small Group Nature Cruise with Local Wine and Homemade Treats
5.0
1,649 Ratings
Akaroa
Join Akaroa Dolphins for a small group nature cruise in Akaroa, New Zealand. Enjoy local wine, homemade treats, and get up close to wildlife. Book now!
Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • 65 Beach Road - As a holder of a New Zealand Department of Conservation Marine Mammal Viewing Permit, we are legally authorized to take guests on dolphin and seal viewing tours. We are proud to be one of only two year-round operators in Akaroa Harbour with this permit, so we encourage you to choose responsibly.

Enjoy a 2-hour nature cruise on our luxury catamaran in Akaroa Harbour, a hotspot for Hector’s dolphins, White-flippered penguins, and New Zealand fur seals. While we can’t guarantee sightings as the animals are wild, we have a high success rate. If you don’t see dolphins, cruise with us again for free. Our friendly check-in team, skippers, onboard guides, and expert dolphin-spotting dogs equipped with life-vests will ensure an unforgettable experience.

As a conservation measure, we do not swim with the dolphins.

To redeem a voucher, promotion code, or Top10 membership card, please contact us directly via phone or email. We cannot offer discounts after a booking has been made online.

Please note, check-in is no later than 30 minutes prior to the departure, with boarding 15 minutes beforehand.

What's Included
  • Famous home-baked cookies
  • Complimentary New Zealand wine, beer, or a non-alcoholic option
What's Not Included
  • We do not swim with the dolphins.
Additional Information

In essence, we are a family enterprise with our steering team being fifth and sixth generation locals of Banks Peninsula. We work alongside our relatives and a dedicated team focused on providing an unforgettable experience!

To ensure comfort and optimal viewing, we limit the number of passengers per group. This allows you sufficient space to explore the vessel and increases your chances of spotting dolphins without the discomfort of overcrowding. The low-profile design of our boat enables you to get closer to marine life!

Upon embarking our vessel, a complimentary beverage is available for you to choose from a selection of beers, award-winning local wine, or non-alcoholic choices. Additionally, our famous homemade snacks - crafted from our family recipe - is served by our welcoming onboard staff.

The preservation of our harbour’s ecosystem and its inhabitants is our foremost priority. After all, it is the backbone of our operation.

*Ensure to check-in 30 minutes prior to departure, with boarding scheduled 15 minutes before we set sail.

  • We do not swim with the dolphins
Location
65 Beach Road
Beach Road
Check-in is no later than 30 minutes prior to the departure, with boarding 15 minutes beforehand. Please note, Akaroa is roughly a 90-minute drive from Christchurch and Lyttelton Port.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(1649 Ratings)
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Kyle_w
Jun 9, 2024
Excellent! - Fantastic trip, great crew and I loved the dogs! The boat was extremely well maintained and looked after.
Review provided by Viator
Nielsenz
May 30, 2024
Excellent trip with birds, dolphins and seals spotted. - Great boat, very stable catamaran and so very comfortable. The staff, that incudes the dogs, were friendly and informative. Nice touch to get a free refreshment and a delicious home baked cookie. Great overall experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Meander23199371541
May 18, 2024
Best day on the water - It was absolutely amazing!!! Such a great experience, excellent crew who shared history with us. Well worth the money. A must when in Akaroa
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Evelyn
May 17, 2024
A 10 for us - Very nice skipper and assistant who provide you with information about the history and geography. Nature cannot be programmed, so you always have to wait and see what you see. When we went he said there were rumors that possibly the first humpback whale of the season had been spotted. We ended up seeing seals, hector dolphins and very far away the spouting of the humpback whale. So a 10 for us!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tour11722358189
May 15, 2024
Amazing dolphin experience! - Absolutely wonderful - so many dolphins - & they are as round & adorable as expected! The crew were incredibly friendly & knowledgeable & Albie, the dolphin-spotting dog, was gorgeous!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Road10014658448
May 14, 2024
Great experience overall - The guides and the cruise itself was top notch! Although me and my family got seasick near the end (due to personal factors; the waves were not extreme), the staff were very accommodating, and we are grateful for that. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
2units
May 9, 2024
Always a superb experience - This trip is always amazing - you see something different each time you go (and I’ve been quite a few times, always take friends & family when they are visiting from the UK) I love that part of the ticket sales actually go to help conserve the rare Hector’s 🐬 dolphins 😀 You are accompanied by their gorgeous dolphin spotting dogs (my favourite ‘Buster’ doesn’t work at weekends) we had two dogs 🐕 this time we had Albie and a cute little Buster lookalike which was in training. It’s a nice touch to get a drink on the way out and home baked cookie on the return as well as the entertaining history. Must give a big shoutout to Arrianne who mans the office in Akaroa, really lovely and super helpful 😀
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jacqui_h
May 8, 2024
Amazing dolphins with adorable dog - It was incredible seeing so many Hector's dolphins up close!! We also especially liked having the lovely Buster (dolphin spotting miniature schnauzer dog) helping us spot the dolphins. The landscape is absolutely beautiful in an extinct volcanic crater and was so interesting learning about the area
Review provided by Viator
Passport59918020088
May 4, 2024
Recomended nice trip - It was a really enjoyable trip. We were Lucky and could see some dolphins, one penguin and many seals. The explanations through the Crew were interesting and the self-made cookies were delicious. You should do the Trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jackya264
May 19, 2024
Great dolphin tour - Great boat trip. The staff are very helpful and friendly. Saw lots of dolphins in the outer harbour past the salmon farm and seals. Great afternoon, would recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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