Akaroa Dolphins

Akaroa Dolphins Akaroa Dolphins ~ Harbour Nature Cruises Let our crew, including our dolphin spotting dogs, take you on a journey of discovery.
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Enjoy the fascinating history and amazing wildlife of Banks Peninsula aboard our luxurious vessel 'Akaroa Dolphin'. Highlights of our cruise include viewing the rare Hector's dolphins, New Zealand fur seals, penguins, seabirds, spectacular sea caves and volcanic formations. A complimentary drink, including local award-winning wine, beer, and juice is offered when you step onboard. Enjoy one of our

famous homemade cookies on your return to Akaroa's main wharf. A percentage of each passenger's fare goes towards the research and education of the Hector's dolphins. We are proud to be 100% locally owned and operated. Our friendly team will show you the Peninsula like only a local can. Experience why we’re winners of the Champion Canterbury Business Awards | Tourism Small Enterprise in 2015, Rankers winner of Dolphin Watching Experience in 2013, and ranked Number 1 on TripAdvisor for Boat Tours in New Zealand. Our track record for offering an unforgettable nature cruise experience speaks for itself. To learn more visit our website at www.akaroadolphins.co.nz

07/02/2025

Out of Office Orca 🐋

📍Ōnuku Marae, Akaroa Harbour

🎉Happy 10th Birthday to our incredible dolphin-spotting dog, Buster!🐬🐶Buster, you bring so much joy to our adventures, a...
06/02/2025

🎉Happy 10th Birthday to our incredible dolphin-spotting dog, Buster!🐬🐶

Buster, you bring so much joy to our adventures, and we couldn’t ask for a better first mate! Here’s to more boat rides, zoomies, and, of course, keeping a watchful eye on those dolphins!

All the team at Akaroa Dolphins wish you a truly fin-tastic day! ✨

🎉🐬 Happy 3rd Birthday, Theo! 🎂🐶Wishing a big happy 3rd birthday to Theo for yesterday, a miniature Schnauzer and one of ...
26/01/2025

🎉🐬 Happy 3rd Birthday, Theo! 🎂🐶

Wishing a big happy 3rd birthday to Theo for yesterday, a miniature Schnauzer and one of the newest Dolphin Dog team members! 🐾💙

He’s already making waves and stealing hearts with his energy and enthusiasm. Here’s to many more adventures ahead, Theo! 🥳🎈

📸: Sarah Hughes

25/01/2025

What a way to end the day 🐬🐋🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✨Sound up!

25/01/2025

What a day to be on the water! Now sharing a peaceful moment with a visiting pod of Dusky dolphins 🐬✨💙

Vide: Marie L G Waghorn

24/01/2025

Incredible Orca Encounter 🖤🤍

Right now, Orcas are making a stunning appearance in Akaroa Harbour!

Absolutely breathtaking ~ what an unforgettable moment! 🐋✨

Video: Hana Lebanko

24/01/2025

🌊🐬 It's All Go in Akaroa Harbour! 🐋✨

Exciting times on the water today! We've got Orca cruising at the heads and Dusky dolphins playing within the harbour.

🖤🤍💙 If you're out and about, keep an eye out for these incredible marine visitors but make sure to keep your distance.

Please see in the comments section below for simple rules on how to interact with marine mammals.

Send a message to learn more

23/01/2025

This doesn’t happen every day! Ecstatic guests and crew were met by a family of Orca in the Akaroa Marine Reserve on our last trip today. Couldn’t have asked for a better day out on the water 💙 ✨

📸: Sarah Hughes

23/01/2025

Incoming Orca! 🐋🙌Last spotted near Cathedral Cave in Akaroa Harbour around 5 pm. Check out our story for a wee video. More photos to come....

Send a message to learn more

30/12/2024
These incredible Bottlenose dolphins visited our backyard today. It's not every day we see this type of dolphin passing ...
27/12/2024

These incredible Bottlenose dolphins visited our backyard today.

It's not every day we see this type of dolphin passing by so it was an absolute treat for our crew and guests late afternoon 🐬
🌊💙

Photos: Hana Lebanko

Word from our boat is 100+ Bottlenose dolphins (TBC) are heading down the harbour. Keep your eyes peeled and if you are ...
27/12/2024

Word from our boat is 100+ Bottlenose dolphins (TBC) are heading down the harbour. Keep your eyes peeled and if you are on a recreational boat please see the poster below on how to interact with marine mammals 🙌🐬🐳🦭

Wishing everyone a wonderful day from our Christmas Day crew 🎄🐶🐬🥰✨
24/12/2024

Wishing everyone a wonderful day from our Christmas Day crew 🎄🐶🐬🥰✨

We couldn’t do what we do without our amazing team and receiving reviews like this sure does make our day 🙌🏼✨“Absolutely...
23/12/2024

We couldn’t do what we do without our amazing team and receiving reviews like this sure does make our day 🙌🏼✨

“Absolutely incredible tour, such kind, wonderful and knowledgeable crew. One of the best things we’ve done on our NZ trip and would highly highly recommend to anybody and everybody. Thank you team for such a wonderful experience”. 🥰 ~ Elly, December 2024

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17/12/2024

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🐬 Baby Alert 🍼Guess who’s made their debut? The first Hector’s dolphin calf of the season has just been spotted within t...
04/12/2024

🐬 Baby Alert 🍼

Guess who’s made their debut? The first Hector’s dolphin calf of the season has just been spotted within the harbour and we couldn’t be more thrilled 💙

It’s always a special moment for us, as these incredible dolphins are classified as nationally vulnerable and every new calf is a step forward in their recovery 🌊

Let’s celebrate this little one’s arrival and continue to support the protection of these precious creatures 💙🐬

📸: Sarah Hughes and Natalie Stuart

🎉🎂 Sending the happiest birthday wishes to Pip today, one of the amazing founders of Akaroa Dolphins! Here’s to another ...
01/12/2024

🎉🎂 Sending the happiest birthday wishes to Pip today, one of the amazing founders of Akaroa Dolphins! Here’s to another year of adventure and making memories! 🐬⚓️🥳

Always a privilege sharing our piece of paradise 🐬🐶✨These beautiful moments were captured by guest Jess Chalesworth 📸💫.
19/11/2024

Always a privilege sharing our piece of paradise 🐬🐶✨These beautiful moments were captured by guest Jess Chalesworth 📸💫.

Address

65 Beach Road
Akaroa
7520

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Saturday 8:30am - 5pm
Sunday 8:30am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+6433047866

Website

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Videos

Out of Office Orca 🐋 📍Ōnuku Marae, Akaroa Harbour

What a way to end the day 🐬🐋🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✨Sound up!

What a day to be on the water! Now sharing a peaceful moment with a visiting pod of Dusky dolphins 🐬✨💙 #DuskyDolphins #AkaroaHarbour Vide: Marie L G Waghorn

Incredible Orca Encounter 🖤🤍 Right now, Orcas are making a stunning appearance in Akaroa Harbour! Absolutely breathtaking ~ what an unforgettable moment! 🐋✨ Video: Hana Lebanko

This doesn’t happen every day! Ecstatic guests and crew were met by a family of Orca in the Akaroa Marine Reserve on our last trip today. Couldn’t have asked for a better day out on the water 💙 ✨ 📸: Sarah Hughes

Theo officially graduated today 🎓and he is now a fully fledged dolphin spotting dog 🥳

What a day out on the water! 🐳 Beautiful conditions, playful dolphins and to top it off a humpback whale down in the harbour this afternoon! Very special ✨ We had a great time with all our guests and crew Chops and Sarah are buzzing! 📸 : Sarah Hughes

🐬 Bottlenose delight! This playful pod was spotted cruising past the heads yesterday morning while we were out on a private charter. Sound up! 🚤✨ #WinterMagic #RareSighting 📸 Natalie Stuart

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About Our Cruises

Step aboard our stylish vessel and experience the beautiful scenery and amazing wildlife of Banks Peninsula. Let our crew, including our dolphin spotting dogs, take you on a journey of discovery through the long history of Akaroa Harbour and its inhabitants. Our low-lying boats ensure you have a closer encounter with the rare Hector’s dolphins. We also endeavour to give you the best possible viewing of our local New Zealand fur seals, penguins and seabirds. Along the way you will get to see sea caves and other spectacular volcanic formations too. We offer a friendly and comfortable cruise that includes a complimentary beverage, including award-winning wine, beer, low & non-alcoholic options, as well as some delicious home baking. Experience first-hand why we’re winners of the Champion Canterbury Business Award for Tourism in 2015, Rankers winner of Dolphin Watching Experience in 2013, and ranked Number 1 on TripAdvisor for Boat Tours in New Zealand. Don’t just let our track record for offering unforgettable nature cruises speak for itself come and experience it for yourself!

Our 100% locally owned and operated business is committed to raising awareness and protecting the marine environment. That is why a portion of your fare goes towards protecting our beautiful harbour and its wildlife. To find out more about our conservation commitments visit our website www.akaroadolphins.co.nz