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Our most intimate dolphin and wildlife experience in Akaroa, just 90-minutes from Christchurch. The opportunity to Swim with Hector’s dolphins and view marine animals that inhabit the beautiful Akaroa Harbour.
Our most intimate dolphin and wildlife experience in Akaroa, just 90-minutes from Christchurch. The opportunity to Swim with Hector’s dolphins and view marine animals that inhabit the beautiful Akaroa Harbour.
Highlights
- Swim with Hector’s dolphins, get close to New Zealand fur seals and other marine birdlife
- Rated as one of the ‘Top 10 Marine Mammal Experiences in The World’ by Lonely Planet!
- Small group with max 12 swimmers makes every trip an intimate experience
- Once in a lifetime experience with the world's smallest and rarest dolphin
- Complimentary refreshments onboard
Swimming with Dolphins - Akaroa, watch the video above!
Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, limited to only 12 swimmers per trip, and immerse yourself in the wonder of swimming with the world’s smallest and rarest dolphins – the Hector’s dolphin. Each tour is guided by a knowledgeable Nature Guide and Skipper aboard our specially designed vessel, which offers an informative commentary of the harbour while highlighting wildlife conservation efforts in the region. You’ll have the chance to swim with Hector’s dolphins, get close to ancient volcanic cliffs, and observe New Zealand fur seals alongside various marine bird species.
Refund Policy:
This is a nature-based experience with wild dolphins in their natural environment. While our crew has a high success rate, swims are not guaranteed and no refunds are given for unsuccessful swims.
In the unlikely event you don't see a Hector's Dolphin, we'll love for you to join us again - you'll recieve an open dated Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise Re-Cruise voucher for another chance to see them.
All prices are shown inNZD ($)
Authenticated Reviews
Real highlights, tips, and the helpful advice straight from Bookme customers who’ve actually done this experience, summarised with AI support
- emergencyCustomers loved the friendly and supportive crew, who made the experience enjoyable and safe (8 people said this).
- emergencyMany praised the opportunity to swim with Hector's dolphins, highlighting the close encounters and joyful moments (7 people said this).
- emergencyReviewers appreciated the well-organized tour that respected the dolphins' natural behavior (4 people said this).
- emergencyParticipants enjoyed seeing a variety of marine life, including penguins and seals, making it a diverse wildlife experience (5 people said this).
- emergencyThe availability of plus-sized wetsuits was a hit, ensuring everyone felt comfortable (2 people said this).
- emergencyCustomers were thrilled with the complimentary photos taken during the swim, adding to the memorable experience (3 people said this).
- star_shineBring a towel
Don't forget your camera for those stunning dolphin moments
Showing all 237 authenticated Bookme reviews
a3165228 from Taiwan wrote on 07 March 2017
和野生海豚一起游泳真是太令人興奮了！
專業友善的員工，有趣的行程，讓人難忘！
Sandra Eberhard from Switzerland wrote on 11 November 2025
Tolles Erlebnis
Delfine, Pinguin und Seehunde gesehen. Super Betreuung und sehr schöne Boottour.
claireh22 from New Zealand wrote on 10 November 2025
A great day out
The crew (Elijah and Tom + one) were amazing, and we had a great afternoon from start to finish. Would highly recommend this.
Penny Van Der Lee from New Zealand wrote on 14 October 2025
Awesome staff support
I am a confident swimmer who swims 3x a week but for some reason with the realisation that the dream to swim with dolphins was about to be reality, I had a massive mind block. Guide-ess Charlotte, skipper Will, opportunitist Elajah and mother hen Pip wrapped their support around me. Good vibes, information and safety first. I am a plus size girl and they had plenty of plus sized wetsuits. I ended up having the best dolphin encounter on the day and bonus your ticket price goes to protecting an endangered species. And yes, my husband took me out for dinner afterwards to celebrate!
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Erica from Taiwan wrote on 04 December 2020
Good experience
工作人員很友善，出船當天有點風浪，他們確認很多遍我們在開放海域的游泳能力，因為到時候是我們自行下水玩的。設備什麼的都很好！比較讓我不解的他們不讓我們帶自己的防水包上去說太大了，給了我們很小大約5l的防水袋，說毛巾都不用帶。不過還好出船前我硬塞了一條小毛巾進防水袋，結束游泳後我才能包住頭髮不然超級冷的 我可以理解滿船的話的確不適合帶大一點的防水袋（其實也才10l)但是是當時船上客人包含我們只有四個人，其實空間很大。 會比較推薦參加不用游泳的行程就好了，因爲視野好太多了！我們遇到三隻海豚左右，他們不太願意靠近，偶爾靠近也會因爲水太濁其實看不清楚。但是海豚真的超級可愛！！ 雖然有點失望，但是整體了說經驗還是好的，畢竟野生動物是不能控制的，能看到已經覺得好幸運！