South Island | Must Do New Zealand

Swim with Dolphins in Akaroa

Experience Akaroa’s Rare Hector’s Dolphins

Just 80 minutes from Christchurch, Akaroa Harbour is one of the only places in the world where you can swim with Hector’s dolphins, the smallest and rarest dolphins on the planet.

These playful and curious marine creatures are a must-see for wildlife lovers visiting New Zealand.

EcoSeaker, a small family-owned business operated by locals Steve and Kerstin Hamilton, offers a warm, friendly experience. Steve, a 5th-generation local with deep roots in Akaroa’s French and Scottish heritage, is your expert skipper and a certified Department of Conservation dolphin tour operator.

Their intimate knowledge of the harbour ensures an unparalleled experience both in and out of the water.

With years of experience offering small, personalised harbour tours, EcoSeaker provides unforgettable dolphin swimming adventures departing from Daly’s Wharf in the heart of Akaroa township.

Whether you’re seeking a close encounter with Hector’s dolphins or a scenic journey through Akaroa’s breathtaking landscapes, Experience the magic of Akaroa’s wildlife up close.

Swim with Dolphins in Akaroa – Small Group Experience

Dolphin Swim Tour Prices:

Dolphin Swim $200 pp Children $170 pp (8 to 15 years old)
Dolphin Viewing only $120 pp (8 to 99 Years old)
Duration: 3 Hours approx.

Join Steve on one of EcoSeaker’s small group, and personal tours, where you’ll swim with Hector’s dolphins, the rarest and smallest dolphins in the world.

Each trip is limited to just 12 swimmers in the water, ensuring an intimate and unforgettable experience.

With a 90.5% success rate, EcoSeaker is your best choice for a dolphin swim in Akaroa.

Enjoy the added comfort of warm wetsuits, masks, snorkels, and a post-swim treat of hot chocolate and biscuits.

Passengers who prefer to watch rather than swim are also welcome on this tour.

What’s Included:

A three-hour dolphin experience—longer than other Akaroa tours!
More time to encounter dolphins and explore Akaroa Harbour.
A nature tour featuring New Zealand fur seals, white-flippered blue penguins, albatross, and other seabirds, along with stunning sights like Cathedral Cave, marine farms, and the Akaroa Marine Reserve (weather permitting).

Important Information:
To swim, participants must have basic swimming ability, including the ability to swim 50 meters unaided and climb a small ladder. Ocean swimming is more challenging than pool or beach swimming, so a basic level of fitness is required.

Departure Point:

Dalys Wharf, Akaroa
Departure Time: 10:15 AM daily (October 1st – April 30th)

Akaroa Nature Cruise – Explore Wildlife & Volcanic Landscapes

Akaroa Nature Cruise Prices:

Adults $120 pp Children $60 pp (0 to 15 years old)
Duration: 2 Hours approx.

Explore the best of Akaroa Harbour on a two-hour nature cruise showcasing its most spectacular sights and wildlife.

Witness towering 1,000-foot cliffs, sea arches, volcanic formations, and caves. Along the way, you’ll encounter white-flippered blue penguins, albatross, fur seals, and other marine life.

You’ll also visit the Akaroa Marine Reserve, Nikau Palm Gully, and experience occasional blowholes.

Your vessel is a 12.5-metre Rayglass Protector, an ex-America’s Cup Chase boat, combining speed, comfort, and adventure. With Steve, a 5th-generation local, as your captain, you’ll learn fascinating stories of Akaroa’s volcanic past and rich Maori history.

Departure Point: