Experience our most intimate dolphin and wildlife adventure in Akaroa, located just 90 minutes from Christchurch.
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.
SCHEDULE & PRICE
$199 – Adult 16 years & over
$169 – Child 8-15 years
$119 – Spectator
Under 5’s can spectate for free when accompanying an adult, child swimmers must be accompanied by an adult swimmer in the water.
Dolphin Promise: We’re confident you’ll spot Hector’s dolphins on our excursions. However, in the unlikely event you don’t, we’d be delighted to offer you a complimentary Akaroa Nature Cruise. Our friendly team will provide you with a voucher on the day
The opportunity to swim with Hector’s dolphin in their natural habitat – the stunning Akaroa harbour. Our Nature Guides will brief you on how to swim near the dolphins while respecting their behaviours and to not feed or touch them.
As part of your excursion, our Skipper and Nature Guide will take you on an in depth tour of the harbour. Our purpose built boats means we get you closer to the wildlife, like NZ Fur Seals and marine birds, volcanic cliffs and more.
Everything is included as part of your ticket, from premium 5mm wetsuits and goggles hire to hot chocolates and cookies to keep you energised, all you need to bring is a towel for the hot showers afterwards! During your excursion, our Nature Guides will endeavour to take photos of you in the water, for you to download after the swim.
OUR DOLPHIN PROMISE
Our almost 40 years of experience means we’re very good at getting our guests close to the Hector’s dolphins while respecting their natural behaviours.
In the unlikely event that you don’t encounter the Hector’s dolphin on your excursion we’ll give you an Akaroa Nature Re-Cruise voucher so you’ll get another chance to see these amazing creatures.
We’re confident that you’ll see the Hector’s Dolphin on our excursions. In the unlikely event you don’t see a Hector’s dolphin, we’ll love for you to join us on an Akaroa Nature Cruise. You will receive an open dated Akaroa Nature Re-Cruise voucher for another chance to see these magical creatures. Although we see dolphins 97% of the time, sometimes we are not able to get you in the water due to them feeding, mating, having calves in the pod or unsafe/rough conditions. If you do not see the Hector’s dolphin on our excursions, you’ll receive an Akaroa Nature Re-Cruise voucher for another chance to see these magical creatures. The Akaroa Nature Re-Cruise vouchers are not redeemable for cash or credit, non-refundable or transferable.
Just bring your swimming costume and a towel. Your phone, sunblock and water bottle are not essential but advisable. Everything else is provided for you including a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, booties, gloves and a hood if necessary. You can hire or purchase a towel from us if you forget to bring one.
YES. You need to be confident in the water and capable of swimming at least 50 metres. If you cannot swim you can still join us on the boat as a watcher. Obviously, the water is over your head and a degree of confidence in swimming is required. Please note, life jackets are not provided while you are in the water.
Customers must declare any pre-existing medical conditions which may limit their participation.
If you are prone to suffer from sea sickness we advise taking an anti-sea sickness tablet before checking in for your swim. Different varieties take different amounts of time to start working so make sure you give yourself this time before heading out on the water. We also offer pressure point wrist bands, however, it is best to attempt to stop the potential sea sickness before it starts. If you suffer from asthma it is essential to bring your inhaler with you to take out on the boat for your own safety.
No. These dolphins have extremely sensitive skin and a slight touch may bruise or hurt the dolphin. A nail may scratch the surface of their skin causing infections.
Yes. If you are swimming you must be at least 8 years old. Children between 8 and 12 inclusive must also be accompanied by an adult swimmer. If you are booking with us as a spectator there is no age restriction. Please see the child swimmer info below…
We have been operating dolphin swimming for 20 years now and have never had a problem with sharks. Generally if there are sharks around then the dolphins will be nowhere to be seen.
In the summer the water temperature is around 17 degrees Celsius, in winter this usually decreases to around 11 degrees. We have high-quality thick wetsuits which keep you warm in the water. We also have booties, gloves and hoodies.
In order to provide the best advice please call the wharf to enquire (0800 436 574) before booking.
We have hosted many customers with disabilities, however, it is our duty to ensure the care and safety of our guests with the utmost respect and understanding.
If you have a strong support swimmer and have experience swimming in the ocean then it may be possible. Our swim boats are not accessible by wheelchairs so a degree of mobility is required to board the vessel. If we feel safety is compromised then a swim will not be possible.
You may have recently been alerted to the news that a swimming with dolphins operator in the Bay of Islands (North Island, New Zealand) has recently ended its tourism operation due to the declining numbers of Bottlenose dolphins.
This is isolated to the Bay of Islands only. Black Cat Cruises Swimming with Dolphins experience in Akaroa (South Island, New Zealand) continues to operate as normal as our Hector’s dolphin population remains stable.
Black Cat Cruises prides itself on working with dolphin researchers to ensure the Hector’s dolphin population is protected and cared for. As the largest tourism operator in Banks Peninsula and one with a strong reliance on our natural environment, we strive to be a leader in environment management programmes.
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION TO SWIM WITH THE DOLPHINS
A basic level of fitness is required. You will be floating in the water and will be required to swim to and from the boat – distances up to 50 metres (150 feet) at a time.
Swimming with dolphins is not available for children under 8 years old. Children between 8 – 12 must be accompanied by an adult swimmer.
Customers should have some knowledge of English, so they can understand safety instructions and emergency procedures. If you do not speak English, you should be able to read and understand the foreign language safety instructions and be confident that you can communicate with the crew using pre-agreed hand signals in the event of an emergency.
Customers must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Environment & Safety First
Black Cat Cruises was the first cruise boat company in the world to get the coveted Green Globe 21, an international programme to ensure the best environmental practices. We are also DOC-approved and are the only cruise operator in Akaroa to have an Enviro-gold certification from Qualmark.
We operate from the main wharf in Akaroa, only 90 minutes (82 km) drive from Christchurch on State Highway 75. Once in Akaroa follow the main road until you see a wharf on the waterfront with a large blue building half way down. This is where you check in.
Akaroa is located around an 80 to 90-minute drive from Christchurch City and Christchurch International Airport.
It is an easy drive in a car through New Zealand farmland and then over the stunning Banks Peninsula hills to Akaroa. Use Google Maps for detailed directions on how to get from Christchurch to Akaroa.
Once in Akaroa continue along Rue Lavaud, which turns into Beach Rd. Look for the long wharf in the centre of the town. You’ll see our large blue building on the wharf with a dolphin mural painted on the roof. Print this map out to help you navigate. You can also find us at 61 Beach Road.
CRUISE SHIPS
Cruise ship passengers will disembark directly onto the main wharf in Akaroa. This is where our main booking office and gift shop are located. Please allow enough time for your tender boat to reach the wharf in time for your activity check -in.
The award-winning Black Cat Cruises is not only an acclaimed success in New Zealand's tourism industry but also internationally recognized as an eco-tourism pioneer. We hold the honour of being the first to introduce cruises in Akaroa, and we're proud to be acknowledged as New Zealand's very first eco-tourism operator.
Our Nature Cruises and Dolphin Swimming experience depart from the stunning Akaroa harbour which is only a 90 minute scenic drive from Christchurch. The Diamond Harbour and Quail Island ferry depart from Lyttelton in Christchurch.
