Swimming with Wild Dolphins in Akaroa
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
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.
Please Note: 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. Read more about this policy below.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children Swimmers between 8yrs and 12yrs must be accompanied by an adult swimmer.
Children between 13yrs and 17yrs must be accompanied by an adult spectator.
Akaroa is ideally situated, only a 120 minute drive from Christchurch International Airport. You can either drive yourself or catch one of the shuttles, which operate daily between Christchurch city center and Akaroa.
Life Jackets are NOT permitted and if one is required this product is not suitable, please join our Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise.
Minimum age for a child to Swim with Dolphins is 8yrs and to join as a spectator 4yrs
Final Check in time is 15 minutes prior to Tour Time
If you have Asthma/Allergies please know you are required to have your inhaler/EpiPen with you
Please reconfirm your reservation the day prior so weather updates can be given.
All swimmers must be able to swim a minimum of 50 metres unaided and be confident swimming in open sea conditions as we operate in waters between 15-30 metres deep.
Please Note: 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.
All medical conditions need to be declared as this product may not be suitable due to injuries or recent surgeries.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Digital Photos - subject to sea conditions
3.5 hours Including suiting up/showers (2.5 hrs out on the water)
Final Check in is 15 minutes prior to Tour Time
Wetsuit, boots and optional mask (for those swimming)
Hot Chocolate & biscuit
Hot Shower Facilities
Includes live commentary from your Skipper and Guide
What To Expect
Our most intimate dolphin experience in Akaroa, only 90 minutes from Christchurch. Swim with Hector’s dolphins and view other wildlife such as the NZ fur seal in this all-inclusive 3.5-hour tour. With a maximum of 12 swimmers, you’ll enjoy a personalised excursion led by our experienced skipper and nature guide. Begin at Akaroa’s main wharf, meet fellow adventurers, and gear up with provided wetsuits. After a safety briefing, step aboard a once-in-a-lifetime journey to explore Akaroa Harbour’s wildlife, stunning landscape and swim with the Hector's dolphin. Respecting wildlife is our priority, and your guide will offer insights on conservation. A portion of your ticket supports the Department of Conservation. Included: 5mm high-quality wetsuit, optional mask, hot chocolate, biscuits post-swim and hot showers. Dolphin Promise: Our guides have a high success rate at finding Hector’s dolphins. If you don’t see them, enjoy a free Akaroa Nature Cruise to return another time.
Options
Dolphin Swim
3.5 hour dolphin swim in Akaroa including wetsuit, mask and snorkel hire. Not recommended for children aged under 8 years
Reviews
269 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Swimming with Hector Dolphins is amazing!
Triprobintrip,
Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The swimmimg with Hector Dolphins was amazing. Charlotte and Will gave us a lot of information about the Hector's dolphins. Swimming with the Hector Dolphins was fantastic, and we would definitely do it again. We even got cookies and hot chocolate afterward. Highly recommended!
Incredible day, incredible people!
673elliottc,
Nov 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My partner and I had such a beautiful time doing this trip. I was simply watching which was still very enjoyable, for those who can’t swim. Charlotte and Will, who were our swim instructor and skipper, were super passionate and cheerful, very knowledgeable and made the trip even more fun for a big wildlife nerd like myself. Would definitely do again, once I can swim properly.
Wonderful
AJW29,
Nov 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Elijah, Will, Chris and Pip are an excellent team. They could not be done more to make the dolphin swim any better. Dolphins, seals and the bonus of seeing an albatross released back into the wild from the boat. Brilliant.
Wildlife magic - must do bucket list experience!
Traveler11739731736,
Nov 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Awesome experience yesterday swimming with the wild Hector's dolphins - 5- 10 dolphins playing with us for around half an hour - could have reached out and touched them (but that is not allowed!), they were circling us, going away, coming back - amazing. We were so well looked after by Elijah, Will and Chris, Also bonus experience of seeing a wild albatross that had been at the South Island Wildlife Hospital being released off the back of the boat by the wonderful vet Pauline who is an absolute legend! Magical!!
Epic dolphin experience down under!!;
J1258UWnickw,
Oct 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00One of most amazing tour experiences I've had in the world! Elijah are guide was amazing and knowledgeable. As a marine biologist I've done a lot in the ocean and this is best thing I've done outside field work!
Incredible staff support
73pennyv,
Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Bucket list item ticked off, swimming with dolphins. Even better, ticket cost the supports rare and endangered species. I am a confident swimmer who swims 3x weekly, but suddenly I had a mental block, being a plus size person thinking I'd be a burden on others. The staff, tour guide-ess Charlotte, skipper Will, and opportunist Elijah, mother hen Pip, all wrapped their support around me and I got the best encounter of the day! Great vibes, informative and plus size people friendly (including wetsuits). Photos taken of me in the water a bonus, absolutely life changing experience. 23 year old dream from a 12 year old me complete and more than I bargained for!
Great customer service and amazing experience!
ashasutton,
Sep 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My partner and I booked this and took a day trip to Akaroa! The staff (Elijah and Grace) were fantastic from the get go and made our experience the best! I would say that the winds and currents were strong so I struggled in the water however that’s just me! I had great views from the boat and saw a pod of 5 dolphins. My partner was in the water and loved it. It’s an amazing experience and I love that it’s on the dolphins terms. An unforgettable excursion and the money goes to the conservation. Thank you to Black Cat Cruises for their excellent customer service!
Intimate Dolphin experience
lachlantm,
Apr 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an absolute blast with Black Cat Cruises. Our crew - Tom, Elijah and Will - were professional, super knowledgeable and gave us the best time! We loved the small numbers of the trips - we had 11 in our group. The dolphins were amazing and we got the most amount of time possible in the water. Absolutely recommend!
A great afternoon out
drnicoledavis,
Apr 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was an amazing experience being in the wild with these cute little dolphins. The staff were helpful and informative. Well worth the trip
Separated family for swimming with dolphins
Navigate67009663847,
Mar 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Warning, the website too, locked out our money then next email said we were n9t guaranteed a place ... then emailed that the times were booked and said 2 other times, we picked 1 then said we were booked ..so drove 3hr return trip to get there only to be told we were not booked . By they we were driving into village. Their solution was separate our family, to 2 later boats if possible which was not an option for us, then refunded 1 family that come from America to see nz, and a young grandson to go swimming. The lady tried to put me off (67yr) to go on swimmers boat, saying it would be terrible 😒 The service in the booking was terrible but the 2 boat staff were actually nice, Never eva recommend them eva Taking ur money before ur confirmed, effectively stopping u from doing other things , instead, terrible experience eva
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