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Akaroa - Dolphin Swim - Black Cat Cruises

4.6
229
The only place on the planet, where you can get close to the world's smallest and rarest dolphin, the Hector's Dolphin. Simply rare and unique.

The only place on the planet, where you can get close to the world's smallest and rarest dolphin, the Hector's Dolphin. Simply rare and unique.

Highlights

  • Swim with playful Hector's Dolphins in the Akaroa Harbour
  • Rated as one of the ‘Top 10 Marine Mammal Experiences in The World’ by Lonely Planet!
  • Once in a lifetime experience with the world's smallest and rarest dolphin
  • Complimentary refreshments onboard

Swimming with Dolphins - Akaroa, watch the video above!

Akaroa Harbour is the only place on the planet where you can get close to the world's smallest and rarest dolphin, the Hector's Dolphin!

These magnificent creatures have made their home base in Akaroa, a stunning French inspired sea-side village just a 90 minute scenic drive from Christchurch. The name Akaroa means "long harbour". Join Black Cat Cruises for an unforgettable journey where you’ll get the once in a lifetime opportunity to swim with these dolphins inside the naturally protected harbour, not out in the open seas.

Black Cat Cruises are a supreme tourism award winning company with an excellent safety track record and a portion of every ticket sold goes towards the conservation of the Hector's dolphin. We only allow 12 swimmers in the water at one time allowing greater opportunity for one on one interaction with the dolphins.


Success Rate:

We see dolphins on nearly every trip (97%). However, sometimes even if we see them they do not want to interact with swimmers. If we are unable to complete a successful swim you will be entitled to a 30% refund of your ticket price.

Adult $219.00 (16+ years)
Child $189.00 (8 - 15 years)

What's included

  • Our facilities here on the Main Wharf Akaroa include Briefing Area, spacious and heated Changing Rooms with Hot Showers and Lockers for valuables.
  • Excellent quality wetsuits that are 5mm in thickness.
  • Masks.
  • Hot Chocolate and biscuits on board!

Duration

  • Allow approximately 3 hours for the whole experience

Location

  • Akaroa Main Wharf
  • Akaroa
  • 7520

Restrictions

  • All swimmers MUST be confident in open Harbour/Sea conditions as the Akaroa Harbour where you will be swimming is between 15 and 30 metres deep.

    All swimmers must be able to swim a minimum of 50 metres unaided as life jackets are not provided as your swimming ability and confidence must be of the standard that you do not require a Life Jacket.

    Children are required to be a minimum of 8 years old to swim with dolphins.

    Children aged 8-12 years must be accompanied by an adult swimmer.

Child Friendly

  • This experience welcomes families with children.

Bad Weather Refunds

  • If your experience is cancelled by the operator (because of the weather or anything else out of your control) you will be entitled to a full refund.

Notes

  • Duration: Allow approximately 3 hours for the whole experience, this includes half-hour prior for briefing and getting changed into wetsuits at our facilities. 2 hours out on the water which includes travel time prior and post-swim.

Available Bookings from 29 Apr to 12 May 2024

Change Dates

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Mon 29 Apr
Tue 30 Apr
Wed 1 May
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Fri 3 May
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Sun 12 May

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

4.6

229 reviews

Showing all 229 authenticated Bookme reviews

Pierre from France wrote on 14 December 2019

Hyper déçus

Pas de chance, impossible de nager avec les dauphins le jour où nous l’avons fait. Nous avons juste aperçu quelques dauphins à travers les bâches du bateau... hyper déçus... conscients que cela dépend des dauphins et on ne peut pas les forcer (et fort heureusement !!!) mais j’estime que nous aurions dû obtenir un remboursement de 50% du montant comme précisé lors de la réservation, car je n’ai, à mon sens, pas « vu » les dauphins... Dommage...

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Sophie Chenavier from France wrote on 08 January 2019

Pas a la hauteur

Nous avons réservé 4 jours à l'avance et ils ont oublié de nous noter pour le tour.. Ils nous ont dit qu'on avait de la chance qu'ils nous accepte alors qu'ils étaient plein ! Alors qu'ils avaient bien pensé à prendre l'argent par contre. On a vu des dauphins mais on a pas nager avec car ils ont séparé notre groupe en 2 bateau et l'autre à nager avec les dauphins 2 fois mais nous ne pouvions pas rester au même endroit... En positif la skipper Kate était vraiment adorable !

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Juliane Tapin from France wrote on 26 November 2018

Un rêve pour beaucoup !

Excellent rapport qualité/prix Les dauphins auront été au rendez-vous malgré le temps. Un super souvenir à jamais gravé dans ma mémoire. On redevient enfant le temps d'une journée à s'émerveiller de voir ces superbes mammifères nager tout autour de soi ! Encore la tête dans les étoiles !!!!

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Marine from France wrote on 08 August 2018

Fantastique

Une expérience fantastique que je conseille vivement! Nous étions seulement trois à bord du bateau et dans l'eau! Les dauphins étaient vraiment très proches (parfois moins de 30 cm! Attention de ne pas les toucher car leur peau est trop sensible!) L'équipe est très amicale. Au retour sur le bateau pour ne pas avoir froid nous avons eu droit a la douche chaude, aux chaufferettes pour les mains, au chocolat chaud ainsi qu'à des biscuits! Ayant vu des phoques près des falaises ils ont même fait un détour pour nous les montrer. Le soir même nous avons eu les photos que nous avons pu montrer a notre entourage. Je conseille vivement cette expérience qui n'est pas "attrape touriste" comme on pourrait le croire! Encore merci aux deux skippers!

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Dam's from France wrote on 26 October 2017

Une matinée super!

Tous c'est très bien passé cette matinée, nous avons pu nager avec les dauphins ! J'ai juste un petit regret bsur le matériel prêté ( masque et tuba), le guide dis qu'il sont d'aucune utilité car l'eau est trop troubles je ne suis pas de cette avis car on voyait à au moins 5 mètres. Par contre ils sont presque d'aucune utilité vue la qualité, le masque est constamment plein de buée ( j'aurai vraiment du prendre le miens). Sinon c'était génial !!!

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This award identifies a business with a high level of professionalism, a keen awareness of the impact it has on the environment and a commitment to a customer centric approach.

This award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure the business's focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create genuine, constantly evolving and sustainable tourism experiences.

This award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand. It denotes exceptional customer experiences at the heart of everything the company does. This business is leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.

When you see the Qualmark logo, your activity of choice is endorsed by New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation and backed by leaders in the industry. It's your trusted guide to iconic activities and experiences that are awarded for their exceptionally high level of quality, safety and sustainability.

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