Akaroa Dolphins

25/06/2024

What amazing news to wake up to! 🥳

We've been voted in the top 1% of things to do worldwide on Tripadvisor 🎉 Not only that but we are also ranked as the #2 experience in New Zealand and #6 in the South Pacific! 🌏✨

A huge thank you to our incredible crew and our amazing guests. It's a privilege to be able to share our backyard with all of you. 🙏❤️

24/06/2024

🌞 That feeling when we've passed the Winter Solstice and the daylight hours are slowly increasing day by day! 🌞

🐬 This beautiful jumping dolphin was filmed yesterday on our 12:45 pm cruise 📸 Hana Lebanko

08/06/2024

Today is World Ocean Day and also marks 10 Years of the Akaroa Marine Reserve 🌊🐠🐬 🌏💙

Let's honour these beautiful waters and commit to protecting our oceans for future generations.

06/06/2024

🌞 Good morning, world! 🌎

Our amazing team member Hana Lebanko was up bright and early this morning and captured this stunning winter sunrise✨

03/06/2024

Our main ticketing office (65 Beach Road, Akaroa) is currently undergoing renovations 😊

If you would like to make a booking or check-in please visit our second ticketing office which you can see in this image 🐬

It is located at the very beginning of the main Akaroa Wharf. Look for a small yellow/orange building on your right, marked with our Akaroa Dolphins signage 🏡

If you need any help finding us, please don't hesitate to call +6433047866 📞

We can't wait to show you our updated main office in the coming months ✨

02/06/2024

A very special moment seeing a humpback whale on our afternoon trip yesterday 🐋✨

In our winter months humpbacks migrate from their feeding grounds in the Antarctic region and travel North to their breeding grounds in more tropical areas. This means we always have our eyes peeled with the hope of seeing them as they pass by on their epic journey!

A fantastic time for all onboard, Skipper Chops and perfect timing for guide Sarah with it being her last trip out on the water for a while! 💙

26/05/2024

Views like this ✨☀️💙📸

15/05/2024

While walking the tracks behind Akaroa and noticing there were no box traps for mustelids or rats on them a group of Bach owners led by Helen Burnett and Charles de Lambert (skipper at Akaroa Dolphins) approached Pest Free Banks Peninsula to establish several trap lines in October 2023.

Hannah and Ollie from PFBP helped with training, the setup of the trap lines, and the ongoing supply of the bait (deep-fried dog roll).

The trap lines run up Settlers Hill, and L’Aube hill tracks and across to Rue Grehan on the track known as Alpaca Bedroom.

A group of Bach owners regularly check the trap lines and enthusiastically record on the Trap.NZ app. The group plans to extend the trap lines into Stanley Park and further south towards town.

Akaroa Dolphins plans to support this amazing project by helping with bait, trapping kits, and extending the lines.

Photo: Chops aka Charles de Lambert removing a hedgehog in a trap along Beach Road.

12/05/2024

Happy Mother’s Day! 🐬❤️

📸:

11/05/2024

🌟 Unbelievable 🩷💜

'Extreme' solar storm hits earth, bringing speculator auroras around New Zealand, and here is a magic moment captured in Akaroa.

Taken by our talented past team member Chalita Aommy Klumjui ✨

05/05/2024

Happy Sunday!
We’ll soon be diving into another new week! 🐬✨

📸:

26/04/2024

Yesterday was World Penguin Day 🐧

Here in Akaroa Harbour we are privileged to be able to observe the world’s smallest penguin, the white-flippered penguin. ✨

📸 .ontheroad

25/04/2024

Bring your grandchild to work day 😍

22/04/2024

Today, April 22nd, is Earth Day!

This day is celebrated each year to highlight and draw awareness to different issues that threaten the environment and our beautiful natural planet.

The theme this year is Planet vs Plastics – something we’re so conscious of here, especially with our work on the water. It’s so important to promote a clean and safe harbour 💙

If you’ve been out on one of our trips you might have seen our guides removing any rubbish we see in the ocean... or picking up anything the wind has gusted overboard!

With our proud B-Corp status we are also committed to reduce the use of non-recyclable products and recycle as much as we possibly can.

So, join us and people around the world to celebrate Earth Day in a global effort and commitment to a 60% reduction in the production of all plastics by 2040.


📸: Sarah Hughes

14/04/2024

We are thrilled to have a story live on National Geographic Travel 🐶🐬

You can see the feature showcasing Akaroa Dolphins and our wonderful dolphin dogs as one of the latest stories now.

Special shoutout to our superstars Buster and Albie and huge thanks to Natasha Bazika for the wonderful article ✨

In Akaroa, New Zealand, dogs are trained to seek out the world's smallest and rarest dolphins by listening for their clicks and whistles.

10/03/2024

✨Celebrating 10 Years of the Akaroa Marine Reserve✨

Last night, we had the privilege of hosting a celebratory cruise for all those involved in the conception of the Akaroa Marine Reserve, including the former minister of conservation, Nick Smith, whose efforts were instrumental in bringing the reserve to fruition. Here's to a decade of protecting our precious marine ecosystem! 🐠🐬🦀🌊



Forest & Bird WWF New Zealand Department of Conservation

04/03/2024

Happy Seaweek 🐠🦀 Let's make waves for our oceans 💙🐧 It's the perfect time to dive into conservation efforts and celebrate the beauty of our marine ecosystems🐬🌎 From reducing plastic waste to supporting sustainable practices, let's all do our part to protect our precious seas 🌊✨

28/02/2024

The Utimate Leap Day 🐬🚀

Photo: Chalita Aommy Klumjui

27/02/2024

Introducing the new kid on the block ~ THEO!

Theo, the newest member of our dolphin dog crew is a 2-year-old miniature schnauzer, and he can't wait to meet you 🥰🐬🐶

Photo: Lucy Hutchings

20/02/2024

Yesterday had a special kind of energy! Such an amazing day out on the water ✨

📸: Sarah Hughes

07/02/2024

Happy birthday to this wee legend🎈🐶 Today Buster turns 9 ✨

26/01/2024

Dusky dolphin cuteness alert ⚠️ Look at that little baby go 🐬

Disclaimer: These little treasures aren't regulars in our harbour, so when they show up it's an exciting time! From what we observed today on both our 12.45pm and 3.15pm cruises this is a nursery pod... Such a special treat 🫶

29/12/2023

23/12/2023

Wishing everyone a wonderful festive season ✨ Here we have Jimmy getting amped for his 1pm Christmas Day Cruise tomorrow 🐶🐬✨

30/11/2023

Little George, from French Bay House, Akaroa born and bred, skipper in the making 🥰🐬🛥️

📸 French Bay House

25/11/2023

Very happy to see the next generation of Hector’s dolphins today 🥰

📸: Sarah Hughes

25/11/2023

Hello little one 🐬 Introducing Akaroa Harbour’s newest addition.

We were so lucky to spot our first Hector’s dolphin calf of the season on our 10.15 am cruise today. Mumma was proud as punch, showing off her newborn.

Thanks to our newest team member Ariane Girouard for this photo ✨

13/11/2023

Messages like these ☺️

"Wonderful experience!!! Not only seeing the dolphins 🐬 but learning of the history associated with Akaroa. Our history, New Zealand’s history, the start of the treaty being signed. What I learned today got us to visit Okains Bay Maori and Colonial Museum in the afternoon. Wow, the Māori Tonga, the interaction of European settlers, a must-see of New Zealand’s past. Thank you Akaroa Dolphins". ~ Geoff Simcock

13/10/2023

She said YES!!!!💍🥂🐬

Congratulations to our guests Rick and Shae who got engaged on our cruise yesterday. Here's to a lifetime of happiness and adventures together ✨

12/10/2023

We're excited to announce the launch of our new website! Thanks to the team at Mint Design for their hard work on this special project! 🌿🐬

Start Your Adventure In Akaroa With Akaroa Dolphins. See The Rare Hector's Dolphin With The Help Of Our Dolphin-Finding Dogs. Book Now