Akaroa Swim with Dolphins Tour from Christchurch: Explore Akaroa and Meet Wild Hector's Dolphins

Embark on a full-day tour from Christchurch to Akaroa and experience the thrill of swimming with wild Hector’s dolphins. Explore the charming coastal town, cruise into the harbor, and indulge in a cheese tasting session at a local factory.

Duration: 9 hours
Cancellation: 6 days
Highlights
  • Akaroa - Experience the stunning volcanic landscapes and awe-inspiring scenery of New Zealand’s South Island on a 9-hour Akaroa day trip from Christchurch. Explore key attractions such as Governor’s Bay, Gebbies Pass, Lake Ellesmere, and Lake Forsyth with a knowledgeable guide. Climb the Banks Peninsula for spectacular views over Akaroa Harbour…
What's Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Cheese tasting at Barry’s Bay
  • Use of snorkeling equipment
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Wet suit hire
  • Live commentary on board
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Embark on a memorable journey to the seaside village of Akaroa and seize the unique opportunity to swim with dolphins on this engaging full-day tour from Christchurch. Traverse through the stunning landscapes of New Zealand to reach Akaroa, taking in captivating sights such as Governor’s Bay and Lake Ellesmere on your way. Sail into the port with your…

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

Customer Ratings
3.9
(36 Ratings)
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1 star
Theresa_b
Feb 7, 2025
The guides were... - The guides were knowledgeable about the dolphins and took good care not to chase or harass them. We got to swim with the dolphins when the dolphins signaled they wanted to play. It was awesome!
Review provided by Viator
Diana_m
Nov 15, 2023
Memorable Experience - This trip was amazing! We saw many dolphins and one penguin. The dolphins got within a couple feet of us. This was definitely a highlight of our trip to New Zealand.
Review provided by Viator
Wendy_l
Jan 15, 2025
Good trip - be careful about the weather - I give this trip 4 stars because none of the disappointments on the trip had anything to do with the tour provider. Carmen was friendly, on time, and made the journey pleasant. That being said, the night before our tour, we were informed that swimming with the dolphins would not be an option because of the unsafe ocean conditions. They offered us the tour with the harbor cruise instead, and refunded us the difference. Unfortunately, we did not see any dolphins on the cruise either (or seals, or penguins, or really any wildlife). Black Cat tours that provides the tour did give us a voucher for a free return visit, but we were not able to use it this trip.
Review provided by Viator
Titiksha_b
Jan 3, 2023
Lovely Cruise and guide to Akaroa - The cruise was great with a good guided explanation of marine life. I enjoyed every bit of it. The highlight was the Orca - killer whale for which the captain was very generous to stop for the entire duration of spotting.
Review provided by Viator
Marianne_z
Feb 29, 2020
Cutest dolphins - Frindly, funny and professional guided. Wonderdul landscape, very scenic. The dolphins come very close to the boat and are very gute. Unfortunately they did not want to swim with us. However it was still a wonderful day and we got a partial refond.
Review provided by Viator
David_l
Feb 10, 2025
A lot to see Little to do - Fun bus ride from Christchurch and the boat ride was nice. We saw a lot of dolphins, but only got in the water 1 time and the dolphins were gone pretty quickly. It was fun to see dolphins, a penguin, a couple seals, but prob better off just doing a cruise be getting into a wetsuit and all that goes with it. It would be nice if they supplied towels for the hot shower afterwards to make it an all inclusive type trip. I didn't realize we needed to bring them and if I did I would be dealing with a wet towel for 4 hours on a bus
Review provided by Viator
Ianjock007
Dec 30, 2022
A one off - Boat crew very good.Patience needed to bob around in cool water trying to see dolphins An experience
Review provided by Tripadvisor
695masakom
Dec 30, 2024
Female driver, you were the only one who was great. - The female driver for the ride was kind and the best. The bad thing about this tour is that you don't check your swimming level at the time of application. I was informed on the day that I couldn't experience it on my level, so I just watched it from the boat. I think I wouldn't have had to pay such a high price if I had known at the time of application. And what made this tour one of my worst memories of the trip was the same horrible experience I had on the shuttle bus on the day I knew I couldn't swim with dolphins. That there was a rogue tour-goer who put coffee cup trash and chip trash in my luggage. The clothes smelled like coffee and were disposed of. The experience of being mean made the tour itself one of my worst memories.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
E5714uvchelseaw
Nov 13, 2022
akoroa swimming with dolphins - got cancelled for the secound time now workers had no sympathy towards it or anything, quite disappointed
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Annawj6478wx
Dec 19, 2025
Find another Tour Operator. Don’t waste your time. - I had a really negative experience. My swimming with dolphins tour date was changed and then the new one cancelled. It was cancelled due to weather which was not their fault, however, I feel like I was treated very poorly and their communication was lacking. They were quite cold and only acknowledged how disappointing this was to me after I called them out. The other distressing part of the situation is that they told me while I was already in the coach. Had I not been I would have cancelled entirely and not gone but I was in the vehicle. So the fact that they won’t give me a full refund is horrible and very shady. There was no realistic option for me to go back to my accommodation and make other plans for my day. I feel very manipulated by them. Take my advice and do not book with them. I called plenty of other places and they were so lovely and tried to help me. Demonstrating the true kiwi kindness that I had experienced from everyone else I’ve come in contact with while here.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $212
up to 9 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 6 days before the start of your experience (local time).