All swimmers must be confident swimming in open-sea conditions and able to swim a minimum of 50 metres unaided as we operate in waters 15-30 metres deep and are not permitted to operate with Swimmers in Life Jackets.

A good level of fitness is required as you will be treading water

Yes. You will be swimming with dolphins in their completely natural environment. Because they are wild animals, we operate under a "swim on their terms" philosophy. This means we do not use sonar to find them, nor do we chase or harass them; any interaction is based entirely on the dolphins' own curiosity and choice to approach the boat.

No. To protect the health and natural behaviours of these endangered animals, touching or feeding them is strictly prohibited. As a wild species, it is vital that they remain independent of human contact and artificial food sources.

Yes. We operate under a strict Department of Conservation (DOC) permit. Our "swim on their terms" philosophy ensures we never chase or harass the dolphins; we only interact with them when they choose to approach the boat or swimmers.

While the ocean is a natural habitat for many species, we have been operating for nearly 40 years and have never had a safety issue involving sharks. Dolphins and sharks generally do not frequent the same immediate space, so generally if there are sharks around then the dolphins will be nowhere to be seen.

If you have any medical conditions including Asthma, heart conditions, or recent surgeries please enter these on our Pre Arrival Checkin required to be completed 48 hrs before your tour.

Please know if you have Asthma or other Allergies and use an inhaler or have an epi pen it is essential that you bring these with you on the boat for your own safety. *If you don’t bring your inhaler you will not be able to participate in the experience.*

You will be swimming with the Hector’s dolphin, which is not only the world’s rarest but also the smallest oceanic dolphin. They are found exclusively in New Zealand, making this a truly unique encounter.

Absolutely! You are welcome to bring waterproof cameras. We highly recommend using a wrist strap, as the harbour is deep and dropped items are unlikely to be recovered.

Please know that there are no statistics to show that time of day increases viewing or swim success rates. Nor have we seen any particular trends in our time on the water. We recommend booking the departure that works best for your travel plans.

We strive to be as inclusive as possible. Because the tour involves boarding a vessel and swimming in the open ocean, please contact us in advance so we can discuss your specific needs and ensure we can accommodate you safely.

Yes. For safety reasons, all swimmers must be able to understand and speak conversational English to ensure they can follow safety instructions and emergency procedures provided by the crew.

Our swimming with dolphins tours offer a more intimate experience, with a maximum of 12 swimmers, allowing for greater personal attention from the Skipper and Guide.

As wild animals, their behaviour is entirely on their terms. We are committed to ensuring any interaction respects their natural environment. While it can be disappointing when a swim is not possible, we believe this unpredictability is part of what makes encountering wildlife so special and sustainable for future generations.

In the unlikely event that no dolphins are sighted, we offer a re-cruise voucher for our Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise.

Children must be at least 8 years old to swim. Those aged 8–12 must be accompanied in the water by an adult swimmer at all times.

As of May 1st, 2026, all tour check-ins have moved to our office at 61 Beach Road, Akaroa. Please do not go directly to the Main Wharf, as it is currently closed for redevelopment. Our team will provide you with your boarding pass and directions to the departure jetty from this office.

Please arrive at our 61 Beach Road office at least 20 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time. This allows enough time for check-in, safety briefings, and the short walk to the boarding area.

Free parking for up to 8 hours (including campervans) is available at the Gaiety Hall on Rue Jolie, which is a 3-minute walk from our office. On street parking is also available around Akaroa township.

The drive from Christchurch City or the Airport typically takes 90 minutes. The route via State Highway 75 is beautiful but includes winding sections over the Hilltop, so please allow 2 hours if you are driving in peak season or are unfamiliar with the roads.

Yes! There are several excellent options for getting to Akaroa from Christchurch without a rental car:

Akaroa French Connection: This is the primary daily shuttle service. It departs from the Christchurch Bus Interchange (8:50 AM) and Rolleston Avenue (9:00 AM), arriving in Akaroa at 11:00 AM and leaves at 4:00 PM. This is perfect for our 1:30pm Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise and our 12:30pm Swimming with Dolphins tour departures.

Day Tour Operators: Leisure Tours, Cheeky Kea Travel and Kiwi Experience, offer full-day guided tours from Christchurch that include our Nature Cruise or Dolphin Swim as part of their itinerary. These are a great option if you want door-to-door hotel pickup and insightful commentary along the way.

Private Charters: For groups or those wanting a bespoke experience, Canterbury Trails offers high-end private tours tailored to your schedule.

Hector’s dolphins can be seen in Akaroa Harbour year-round, and every season offers something special. The warmer months from October to April are especially popular, with longer days, warmer temperatures perfect for enjoying both nature cruises and dolphin swimming experiences.

Winter (May to September) offers a different but equally memorable experience, with crisp clear days, dramatic scenery, and fewer people around Akaroa, creating a more relaxed atmosphere on and off the water. Wildlife remains active throughout the year, making any season a great time to visit.

Our cruises operate daily (except Christmas Day), weather permitting.
With Swimming with Dolphins tours available October - April.

The current vessel we are operating in Akaroa, Canterbury Cat, is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible at this time. Please contact our friendly team at akaroa@blackcat.co.nz to discuss available options and how we may be able to assist with accessibility requirements.

Please note that due to the Main Wharf rebuild, wheelchair-accessible toilets are currently unavailable at our building. Public accessible toilets are located at the park on 82 Beach Road, Akaroa.

For hearing-impaired guests, information sheets are available in seven languages.

If you don't see any dolphins on your Nature Cruise or swim, we provide a free Re-Cruise voucher so you can join us another day for a Akaroa Nature Cruise. Please note that this is a complimentary voucher and not a monetary refund.

Our vessels are designed for a smooth and comfortable cruising experience on Akaroa Harbour. However, if you’re prone to motion sickness, we recommend taking preventative steps before your cruise or swim. Visit a pharmacy ahead of time and take an anti-nausea remedy early, as different options work at different speeds.

You’re also welcome to borrow sea pressure bands from reception where you can ask our friendly staff when checking in.

Once onboard, our friendly crew can advise you on the best places to sit and will happily assist if you start to feel unwell. They have plenty of helpful tips to make your experience as comfortable as possible.

Plenty of fresh drinking water: There is no treated drinking water on the island, so pack enough for your entire party.

Sturdy walking shoes: The island tracks can be steep, uneven, or muddy depending on recent weather.

Warm, windproof layers: Lyttelton Harbour is prone to sudden sea breezes, and it can get quite cool on the island.

Sun protection: Pack a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, as shade is limited along the walking loops.

Swimming gear & towels: There are excellent swimming beaches if you fancy a dip!

Your own food and snacks: There are no shops or cafes on the island (though basic snacks and drinks can be bought on the ferry).

Yes. Our booking system requires you to select your departure time first, add it to your cart, and then select and add your desired return ticket. Please double-check that both tickets are booked for the exact same date before checking out.

You must first book your hut stay or campsite directly through the Department of Conservation (DOC) website. Once your accommodation is secured, DOC will provide you with a unique discount code which you can enter during our ferry checkout process.

There is no readily treated drinking water on the island. The available water must be boiled before drinking, so we strongly advise bringing plenty of your own fresh water and refreshments for the day.

Please bring your own food if you plan on spending the whole day on the island. If you’re planning to visit for half a day bring a drink and a snack.
There are no shops on the island.

No. To protect the local wildlife and native birds (including the rare white-flippered little blue penguins), dogs and mountain bikes are strictly prohibited on Quail Island. Certified guide dogs are the only exception.

Depending on the time of year, you can choose between a half-day or a full-day visit. In the summer peak season (December to March), we run multiple daily sailings, making a shorter half-day trip easy to schedule. In the winter, we only operate a single morning departure and a single afternoon return, meaning your visit will be a full-day experience. If you have a half-day or more, you will have plenty of time to walk the popular full loop track around the island, which takes approximately 2 to 3 hours.

We don’t recommend Quail for anyone in a wheelchair because the tracks are relatively steep and can get muddy depending on the weather. In addition the jetty steps are a bit steep for those in a wheelchair.

We know that travelling with little ones means you often have extra gear in tow, unfortunately because vessel space is limited, especially on busy sailings, we cannot guarantee a spot for large, bulky, or extra equipment (such as prams, trolleys, or gear).

We cannot take kayaks or other such equipment on Quail Island trips without prior approval.

If you have specific requirements or requests regarding extra equipment, please contact lyttelton@blackcat.co.nz at least 5 days before your trip. To ensure a safe and smooth journey for all passengers, please otherwise plan to leave oversized items behind.

Bring a torch to explore the tunnels as they are not lit. Bring a camera to take some fantastic photos. We also recommend that you should also bring warm clothes as it can be cool on the island especially with the prevailing sea breeze.

Eating is not permitted on Ripapa Island as this denigrates its tapu (sacred) status. No smoking or vaping is allowed on the island.

The Ripapa Island trip departs Lyttelton at 9am and takes approximately 20 minutes to reach the island. You will have approximately just over 90 minutes on the island before returning to the jetty for your return departure at 11.15am. The return ferry departs promptly at 11.30am.

We don't recommend Ripapa Island for anyone in a wheelchair because there are no tracks on the island and no wheelchair access to the fort, outbuildings or upper terrace. In addition, the jetty steps are steep.

Yes, advanced booking online is highly recommended. Each departure is strictly limited to 30 passengers per trip, so slots can fill up quickly over the summer operating days.

No dogs are permitted on Ripapa Island to respect its sacred Tōpuni status. Bicycles are also not allowed as there are no formed tracks or paths on the island, and the jetty steps are very steep.

All of our Lyttelton-based services, including the Diamond Harbour Ferry and Quail Island Adventures, depart from B Jetty at the Lyttelton Wharf. Once you arrive at the waterfront, look for the pedestrian overbridge which leads directly to the boarding area.

Lyttelton is a convenient 15–20 minute drive from Christchurch city centre via the Lyttelton Tunnel. If you are using public transport, the No. 8 bus runs regularly between the city and the Lyttelton wharf area.

There is no public parking available on the wharf itself. We recommend utilising the public street parking within the Lyttelton township. Please allow at least 20 minutes before your Check in time to find a space and walk down to the jetty, as the area can be particularly busy during weekends and peak summer periods.

There is one toilet available on the Wharf itself. Lyttelton township offers a range of cafes, pharmacies, and public toilets just a 5-10 minute walk from the departure point. We recommend visiting these before heading to the jetty, as facilities on the wharf itself are limited.

We strive to make our harbour experiences accessible to everyone. If you are visiting our Lyttelton departure point, please note the following location-specific information:

Arrival and Wharf Access
Our services depart from B Jetty at the Lyttelton Wharf. Access to the jetty is via a pedestrian overbridge from the township. While the path is paved, it involves a short walk from the main street.

Parking for Mobility Card Holders
As there is no public parking on the Lyttelton wharf, we recommend using the dedicated accessible parking spaces located within the Lyttelton township. Please allow extra time to navigate from the street level down to the waterfront.

Boarding Assistance
Our crew are trained to assist with boarding. Ramps are available for most departures; however, boarding can be affected by the tide. We highly recommend arriving 20 minutes prior to your departure so our team can ensure you are boarded safely and comfortably.

Carer Support
We offer various supports for those travelling with a carer, including the Hāpai Access Card programme. Carer discounts are available across our Lyttelton services—please refer to our specific Diamond Harbour Ferry or Quail Island pages for the exact concessions available for those experiences.

Assistance Dogs
Certified assistance dogs are welcome at our Lyttelton terminal and on all our vessels.