Top Christchurch activities
Top Christchurch landmarks
Beyond Christchurch
Christchurch trip ideas
Akaroa Swim with Dolphins Tour from Christchurch
Christchurch, New Zealand
- 9 hours
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Enjoy a unique opportunity to swim with dolphins in the wild during an Akaroa Harbour cruise. Strap on your provided wetsuit, flippers and snorkel gear, then slip into the water to swim alongside inquisitive Hector’s dolphins. This full-day trip from Christchurch includes a drive through the South Island countryside to Akaroa. You’ll admire breathtaking points of interest such as Governor’s Bay and Lake Ellesmere en route, enjoy free time to explore Akaroa, then visit a cheese factory for a tasting session in Barry's Bay.
- 9-hour Akaroa dolphin swim experience, from Christchurch
- Admire beautiful scenery on route to Akaroa, such as Governor’s Bay, Gebbies Pass and Lake Ellesmere
- Watch out for seals and penguins from your boat in Akaroa harbour
- Jump into the sea and swim with wild Hector’s dolphins
- Marvel at the volcanic coastal scenery
- Enjoy free time to explore the many fine craft shops in town
- Visit a local cheese factory to taste fine New Zealand cheeses
- Includes round-trip travel from centrally located Christchurch hotels
What's Included
- Cheese tasting at Barry's Bay
- Live commentary on board
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Start time
08:30 AM
What To Expect
This day trip includes the chance to swim with Hector’s dolphins — one of the world’s smallest dolphin species — in Akaroa Harbour, a waterway teeming with marine life.
After a morning pickup from your Christchurch hotel, enjoy a comfortable coach drive to the coastal town of Akaroa, passing breathtaking natural landmarks such as Governor’s Bay, Gebbies Pass, Lake Ellesmere, Lake Forsyth and Little River.
On arrival, embark on a dolphin cruise over Akaroa Harbour. Keep an eye out for penguins and seals, and search the waters for curious and playful Hector’s dolphins — commonly sighted among the waves.
When your captain has located a pod, don your wetsuit, mask, snorkel and flippers then slip into the water. Since these endangered marine mammals are completely wild in their natural habitat, touching them is not permitted, but simply ducking down beneath the waves to marvel at the magnificent dolphins makes for an unforgettable experience.
After the return journey to Akaroa, enjoy free time for lunch (own expense), and explore the craft shops and French colonial buildings in this charming corner of the South Island. Your guide then accompanies you to a Barry's Bay cheese factory for a tasting session of fine New Zealand cheeses.
Your full-day tour concludes with the return drive to Christchurch, with drop-off at your hotel.
After a morning pickup from your Christchurch hotel, enjoy a comfortable coach drive to the coastal town of Akaroa, passing breathtaking natural landmarks such as Governor’s Bay, Gebbies Pass, Lake Ellesmere, Lake Forsyth and Little River.
On arrival, embark on a dolphin cruise over Akaroa Harbour. Keep an eye out for penguins and seals, and search the waters for curious and playful Hector’s dolphins — commonly sighted among the waves.
When your captain has located a pod, don your wetsuit, mask, snorkel and flippers then slip into the water. Since these endangered marine mammals are completely wild in their natural habitat, touching them is not permitted, but simply ducking down beneath the waves to marvel at the magnificent dolphins makes for an unforgettable experience.
After the return journey to Akaroa, enjoy free time for lunch (own expense), and explore the craft shops and French colonial buildings in this charming corner of the South Island. Your guide then accompanies you to a Barry's Bay cheese factory for a tasting session of fine New Zealand cheeses.
Your full-day tour concludes with the return drive to Christchurch, with drop-off at your hotel.
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Customers must declare any pre-existing medical conditions. A basic level of fitness is required. Customers will be floating in the water and will be required to swim to and from the boat - distances up to 50 meters (150 feet) at a time.
- Minimum 4 adults required before tour can operate
- Must be able to swim, you will be floating in the water (ocean) and will be required to swim to and from the boat – distances up to 50 metres (150 feet) at a time. You will not be able to touch the bottom.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 6 days in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 6 full days before the experience’s start time.
- Any changes made less than 6 full days before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- For a 50% refund, you must cancel 2–6 full days before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 2 full days before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 2 full days before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
See more
Featured review
Guide46433828944
I absolutely loved the guides told us in the beginning how this wonderful adventure is set up against a backdrop of ecotourism. They track the dolphins using nothing but their eyes and gave us clear instructions on how (not) to interact with the dolphins. Even in the winter time swimming with dolphins is a fantastic thing to do, as the wetsuits will keep you warm and all set for an enchanting encounter with these amazing creatures.
Reviews
4.0
29 reviews
Diana_M, Nov 2023
This trip was amazing! We saw many dolphins and one penguin. The dolphins got within a couple feet of us. This was definitely a highlight of our trip to New Zealand.
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Kiaora and thank you for leaving a review. I'm very pleased to hear that you enjoyed your tour with us!
Titiksha_B, Jan 2023
The cruise was great with a good guided explanation of marine life. I enjoyed every bit of it. The highlight was the Orca - killer whale for which the captain was very generous to stop for the entire duration of spotting.
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Thanks for taking the time to leave a review it's very much appreciated! Sounds like you had a stellar day! And very lucky to see an Orca!
Marianne_Z, Feb 2020
Frindly, funny and professional guided. Wonderdul landscape, very scenic. The dolphins come very close to the boat and are very gute. Unfortunately they did not want to swim with us. However it was still a wonderful day and we got a partial refond.
Response from Host, Mar 2020
Thank you Marianne for the positive review of your Akaroa Swim with Dolphin Tour from Christchurch. I'm happy you had such a nice time on this tour, particularly with the driver/guide who joined you on the day of travel. I'll be sure to pass on your kind words. I'm sorry to hear that the dolphins did not want to swim with your group on the day of travel (which doesn't happen very often), but it's great to hear that they came so close to the boat and that it was all squared with Black Cat Cruises.
Thanks again and I hope you get to return to Christchurch and Akaroa soon!
Guide46433828944, Jun 2019
I absolutely loved the guides told us in the beginning how this wonderful adventure is set up against a backdrop of ecotourism. They track the dolphins using nothing but their eyes and gave us clear instructions on how (not) to interact with the dolphins. Even in the winter time swimming with dolphins is a fantastic thing to do, as the wetsuits will keep you warm and all set for an enchanting encounter with these amazing creatures.
Response from Host, Jun 2019
Thank you for the awesome review! I am pleased you enjoyed our Akaroa Swim with Dolphins tour. The good people at Black Cat are really committed to the conservation of the harbour and the protection of its local Hector's Dolphins. This really adds to the experience as people find out about their conservation work while getting to learn more about one of the worlds smallest and rarest dolphin. And yes, even in winter it is still a great time to swim with dolphins thanks to their dry suits. Though I have yet to swim the dolphins of Akaroa, I have swam with the Dusky Dolphins of Kaikoura during the winter months, and I too thoroughly enjoyed the experience!
Thanks again for a great review and we hope you return to New Zealand again soon!
Gail M, Mar 2018
This was awesome. Our tour guides were extremely knowledgeable about marine and mammal life and the fast boat ride was fun too. Best of all was swimming with a pod of seven dolphins that were friendly and exuberant to the point of jumping out of the water!! We didn't want to leave and they hung around as long as we did. Well done Black Cat tours. The rest of the trip was great also. Our driver took us on the scenic route for great photo ops and fun pit stops on the way. Overall a really great day.
Michael Z, Dec 2017
Unfortunately due to weather I was unable to swim with the dolphins - instead was placed on the Akaroa harbour boat tour which was still amazing. Hamish the audio guide on board was spectacular and extremely knowledgable about all forms of wildlife and the history of the location. The staff on board were friendly and welcoming, and I appreciated the chances we had to simply drift and take in the scenery. Bravo!
Sonja S, Jan 2017
Sorry - can not give some advices regarding this trip, because it has been cancelled. which to me I am very sad about it
Unfortunately still wait for my refund through your organization viator.
MichaelJ_H, Jan 2017
A really pleasant day. A relaxing ride to Akaroa and then a couple of hours on the water in search of dolphins. We did manage to see quite a few along with some penguins. After that some time in town for lunch before departing for Christchurch. A fun day trip.
YUI S, Jan 2016
this is the worst tour I've ever done
I put ☆ because I can't put zero
It was wasting time and money. I do NOT recommend this company.
Kai A, Dec 2015
Had an amazing time with the Dolphins and will remember this day for ever.... So stunning and beautiful!!! However please please make sure to call the tour operator if you choose to be picked up from your hotel!... I was told a certain time but had to call them after waiting for an hour for them to arrive! They then told me they wouldn't be able to drop me back off at the end of the day Gratefully the coach did drop me at my hotel I think more information needs to be put on this advert... You are picked up by minivan and dropped into the city center were you transfer to a separate coach company that transport you to Akaroa with amazing stops on the way.... But I will defiantly be contacting the tour operator after their attitude towards their customers .... But the swim made up for it all to be honest!
Likely to Sell Out
From $215.14
up to 6 days in advance
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Likely to Sell Out
Akaroa Swim with Dolphins Tour from Christchurch
29
9 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$215.14
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
- Waipara Springs Winery and Cafe Tours & Tickets
- Christchurch Gondola Tours & Tickets
- New Regent Street Tours & Tickets
- Cashel Street Tours & Tickets
- Orana Wildlife Park Tours & Tickets
- Mount Hutt Tours & Tickets
- Waipara Tours & Tickets
- Bridge of Remembrance Tours & Tickets
- Waimakariri River Tours & Tickets
- Lake Pukaki Tours & Tickets
- Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa Tours & Tickets
- Banks Peninsula Tours & Tickets
- The Court Theatre Tours & Tickets
- Air Force Museum of New Zealand Tours & Tickets
- Sumner Beach Tours & Tickets
- Canterbury Museum Tours & Tickets
- Avon River Tours & Tickets
- Christchurch Arts Centre Tours & Tickets
- Pegasus Bay Winery and Restaurant Tours & Tickets
- Mona Vale Tours & Tickets
© 1997-2024 Viator, Inc.