Swimming with Wild Dolphins in Akaroa
Overview
Swim with wild Hector’s dolphins on an intimate small-group tour limited to just 12 swimmers. Your 3.5-hour adventure starts at Akaroa’s main wharf, where you’ll meet your skipper and nature guide, change into a high-quality 5mm wetsuit, and get a full briefing at our purpose-built swim facility equipped with changing rooms. Then, step aboard our modern swim boats and explore Akaroa Harbour’s stunning scenery.
You'll then get the opportunity to swim with Hector’s dolphin in their natural habitat in Akaroa harbour. Our Nature Guides will brief you on how to swim near the dolphins while respecting their behaviours and to not feed or touch them.
Our Skipper and Nature Guide will also take you on a tour of the harbour.
After the swim, enjoy hot chocolate, biscuits, and hot showers back at base. Our experienced guides have a high success rate locating dolphins and if you don’t see them, you’ll receive a complimentary Akaroa Nature Cruise voucher.
What's Included
- Digital Photos - subject to sea conditions
- 3.5 hours Including suiting up/showers (2.5 hrs out on the water)
- Final Check in is 15 minutes prior to Tour Time
- Wetsuit, boots and optional mask (for those swimming)
- Hot Chocolate & biscuit
- Hot Shower Facilities
- Includes live commentary from your Skipper and Guide
Meeting Location
Akaroa
Main Wharf, Akaroa, Christchurch 7520, New Zealand
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Akaroa Harbour
3 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- All medical conditions need to be declared as this product may not be suitable due to injuries or recent surgeries.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children Swimmers between 8yrs and 12yrs must be accompanied by an adult swimmer.
- Children between 13yrs and 17yrs must be accompanied by an adult spectator.
- Akaroa is ideally situated, only a 120 minute drive from Christchurch International Airport. You can either drive yourself or catch one of the shuttles, which operate daily between Christchurch city center and Akaroa.
- Life Jackets are not provided or permitted and if one is required this product is not suitable, please join our Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise.
- In the unlikely event you don't see any dolphins you will receive a voucher for our Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise to join us another day.
- Minimum age for a child to Swim with Dolphins is 8yrs and to join as a spectator 4yrs
- Final Check in time is 15 minutes prior to Tour Time
- If you have Asthma/Allergies please know you are required to have your inhaler/EpiPen with you
- Please reconfirm your reservation the day prior so weather updates can be given.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions
(9)Q: Do we get to swim with or touch the dolphins?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
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Activity code: C-3661SWDS_SWDW
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.79 out of 5 stars based on 220 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (9)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Boat Tours customers.
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As an active member of the Dolphin SMART program, we do not have physical contact with the dolphins on Swimming with Wild Dolphins in Akaroa. We watch them in their natural habitat from the boat.
Dec 2022If you have any doubts about becoming seasick on the water, we recommend taking a Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief tablet the night before your trip. Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy.
Feb 2023- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (NZST).
- Digital Photos - subject to sea conditions.
- 3.5 hours Including suiting up/showers (2.5 hrs out on the water).
- Final Check in is 15 minutes prior to Tour Time.
- Wetsuit, boots and optional mask (for those swimming).
- Hot Chocolate & biscuit.
- Hot Shower Facilities.
- Includes live commentary from your Skipper and Guide.
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025The minimum age to participate is 8. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Swimming with Wild Dolphins in Akaroa is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- All medical conditions need to be declared as this product may not be suitable due to injuries or recent surgeries.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Swimming with Wild Dolphins in Akaroa will be included in your confirmation email from City Boat Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024What's Included
- Digital Photos - subject to sea conditions
- 3.5 hours Including suiting up/showers (2.5 hrs out on the water)
- Final Check in is 15 minutes prior to Tour Time
- Wetsuit, boots and optional mask (for those swimming)
- Hot Chocolate & biscuit
- Hot Shower Facilities
- Includes live commentary from your Skipper and Guide
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- All medical conditions need to be declared as this product may not be suitable due to injuries or recent surgeries.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children Swimmers between 8yrs and 12yrs must be accompanied by an adult swimmer.
- Children between 13yrs and 17yrs must be accompanied by an adult spectator.
- Akaroa is ideally situated, only a 120 minute drive from Christchurch International Airport. You can either drive yourself or catch one of the shuttles, which operate daily between Christchurch city center and Akaroa.
- Life Jackets are not provided or permitted and if one is required this product is not suitable, please join our Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise.
- In the unlikely event you don't see any dolphins you will receive a voucher for our Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise to join us another day.
- Minimum age for a child to Swim with Dolphins is 8yrs and to join as a spectator 4yrs
- Final Check in time is 15 minutes prior to Tour Time
- If you have Asthma/Allergies please know you are required to have your inhaler/EpiPen with you
- Please reconfirm your reservation the day prior so weather updates can be given.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
