And of course, Buster, the dolphin dog. Email Address * Stay up to date on all things New Zealand. Is there a better time over another to go? Any advice would be appreciated. If you don't do that one, the 2pm would be my next choice. The best thing to do here is to take a kayak or paddleboard out on the water in summer, and you’re almost guaranteed that a pod of Hector’s dolphins will come to say hi. Once the edit period has expired, authors may update their posts by removing and reposting them. Related: What are the most popular tours in Akaroa? There are several dolphin watching tours operating from local ports, allowing for many chances to see this unique population of dolphins! To review the Tripadvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html. I remember someone in the forum has advise to take a n early trip. Swimming with dolphins in Akaroa is an incredible experience that shouldn’t be missed! Akaroa Harbour . Akaroa Dolphins has a 98% success rate in encountering Hector’s dolphins in their natural environment, all year round. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. He and my son were best friends … Read more. onefang2015 wrote a review 1 Jun. What are the top 5 things to do, Day Road trip to Akaroa Peninsula suggestions, Le Race - Saturday 23rd March - Important information. Does that means I am not able to see dolphins this early? Too few days and too many beautiful places to cover. It looks like with BlackCat there are 3 different times you can go out to swim with the dolphins (9am/12pm/2pm). I would try for the 9am tour, it'll be cooler, the dolphins will have full tummies and be ready to play and the sea is calmer. We have a 98% success rate with dolphin sightings and if you don't see any dolphins on your trip, we'll let you ride again for free. Helpful. The best time to visit Akaroa is from December to March, which is the summer season in New Zealand. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in December. Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise with Dolphin Watching, Akaroa Full Day Sightseeing Tour from Christchurch, Akaroa Shore Excursion: Akaroa Harbour and Giants House Local Tour, http://www.tripadvisor.com/help/how_to_edit_your_posts, http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html, 1 day cruise stop. Akaroa is an edenic paradise. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Hi there. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Akaroa, New Zealand on Tripadvisor: See 10,120 traveller reviews and photos of Akaroa tourist attractions. So jump aboard to see the world's smallest dolphin. Akaroa - one day visit... suggested day trips? Lee, two points - I think OZRCFLYER was showing the Aussie sense of humour - who knows what time the dolphins will be swimming in January!! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-52928355', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise in the first week in January to swim with the dolphins in Akaroa. Rolling hills give way to turquoise blue waters. Is there a better time over another to go? The best time to see them is from the end of August to January. We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason. Akaroa is the best place to swim with dolphins in New Zealand. p.s. As you can see, it was cloudy and rainy when we visited in January. It looks like with BlackCat there are 3 different times you can go out to swim with the dolphins (9am/12pm/2pm). Cruise Ship passengers can book a tour if you haven’t already. Dolphins are notoriously late risers so it would be as well to not start too early, then of course the wind often comes up later in the day so the later (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Thanks! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-52929907', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruises may be rougher. Hotels. I did a quick search for this and didn't find anything - if there was already a post about this, feel free to direct me there. Any advice would be appreciated. During this time, cool weather enables an enjoyable experience for warm weather travellers. Beautiful new custom built boat. If you visit Akaroa in winter or in summer, you'll either be all alone or surrounded by a crowd because many New Zealanders own a vacation home in the area. They were swimming next to us and under us … On location, you'll have to choose between a city tour or a boat trip to see the dolphins. This post has been removed at the author's request. Hector’s dolphins are super friendly so are bound to come… Top Akaroa Dolphin & Whale Watching Activities: See reviews and photos of dolphin & whale watching in Akaroa, New Zealand on Tripadvisor. We had a great time on our Dolphin Cruise! This gives us more time on the water to gain the encounter with the dolphins. Contact us today to book your dolphin watching tour. Highlights. What are the top 5 things to do, Day Road trip to Akaroa Peninsula suggestions, Le Race - Saturday 23rd March - Important information. Share. Sealife is most active in the early morning and late afternoon when they hunt and feed. Lucky you to see a Humpback Whale into the harbour! akaroa cruiseship stop 1 day/ visit Christchurch? On our dolphin trip at Kaikoura, the dolphins definitely came close enough for us to see them well. Thanks! Akaroa Motels Akaroa Hostels Akaroa Campgrounds Akaroa Family Hotels Akaroa … Could anyone please tell me if there is a best time to join in order to maximize the chance of us seeing the dolphins? We will also endeavour to show you the other amazing wildlife and scenery out there as well. Answer 1 of 3: It looks like with BlackCat there are 3 different times you can go out to swim with the dolphins (9am/12pm/2pm). How is Akaroa doing after the earthquake? akaroa cruiseship stop 1 day/ visit Christchurch. Akaroa Tourism Akaroa Hotels Akaroa Vacation Packages Flights to Akaroa Things to Do in Akaroa Akaroa Travel Forum Akaroa Photos Akaroa Map Akaroa Travel Guide. Get answers to your questions about Akaroa, Hotels near Banks Peninsula War Memorial and Grounds, Hotels near Catholic St. Patrick's Akaroa, Hotels near Akaroa i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, Hotels near Saint Peter's Anglican Church. Akaroa Harbour is a sheltered harbour, a flooded crater of an extinct volcano surrounded by awe-inspiring volcanic cliffs. Christchurch, New Zealand 2 contributions. It all depends on the dolphins! Akaroa - one day visit... suggested day trips? Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Akaroa, New Zealand on Tripadvisor: See 10,119 traveller reviews and photos of Akaroa tourist attractions. Some streets have kept their original French name. To review the Tripadvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html. About 900 dolphins hang about in Akaroa Harbour, surfing waves, doing acrobats and playing with seaweed. Greg L wrote a review Nov 2020. Join us for a dolphin watching tour. Swim in the vicinity of wild dolphins on this Akaroa Harbour cruise, limited to 12 passengers. Akaroa. Cruise ship - Spend day in Akaroa or go to Christchurch? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-53274671', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise ship berth. Dock/Tender? What is the best time to swim with the dolphins? In a previous life I managed a very popular coastal area and the question most often asked of the public contact staff in the visitors centre was "what time do the whales come past"? Is there a better time over another to go? The sheltered harbour of Akaroa is an ideal place for a unique encounter with the world's smallest, rarest and friendliest dolphins, the Hector's dolphins. Much appreciated for all your contributions. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-52934501', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Kaikoura at 5.30am. It’s a short walk up the wharf where you come across the Akaroa i-Site. Scenic Nature. You’ll chance upon Hector’s dolphins, the world’s smallest and rarest dolphins, in their natural habitat. Answer 1 of 3: It looks like with BlackCat there are 3 different times you can go out to swim with the dolphins (9am/12pm/2pm). Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest offers and discounts for your next New Zealand holiday. Know More about this tour. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. More Wildlife in Akaroa. Is there a better time over another to go? Christchurch, New Zealand 12 contributions 1 helpful vote. The author may post again if desired.Posts on the Tripadvisor forums may be edited for a short period of time. Conveniently located near Christchurch, it was originally settled by French immigrants so, of course, you get the whole culture of fancy food and wine, but, more importantly, Akaroa is the only place in the world where you can swim commercially with Hector’s dolphins. As the cruise is empty on the day, we have a choice of the cruise time at 9am, noon and 2pm. To read more about editing your posts, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/help/how_to_edit_your_posts. A wetsuit and mask are provided for your experience in the water, followed by a hot beverage and shower. (ex: better chance to see more dolphins in the morning, etc...). Top Places to Swim with Dolphins in Akaroa: See reviews and photos of swimming with dolphins in Akaroa, New Zealand on Tripadvisor. The 3-hour dolphin tour is very popular due to the limited number of passengers permitted per departure. All Akaroa Hotels Akaroa Hotel Deals Last Minute Hotels in Akaroa By Hotel Type By Hotel Class Popular Akaroa Categories Near Airports. There is only one place on the planet where you can take part in the most unique adventure of a lifetime and swim with the worlds smallest and rarest dolphin – the Hector or New Zealand Dolphin – and that is the beautiful setting of Akaroa Harbour in New Zealand’s South Island. Generally animals are more active in the morning and late evening which is a great excuse to either get up early or stay up late and catch some colour in the sky. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-52935822', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Akaroa, which is a different species of dolphin. I need to decide between sea kayaking with them where I will be in a single kayak and others in the trip will be in double kayaks, or swimming with them. Akaroa. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Join us on our luxury boat where you will enjoy a 2-hour cruise around Akaroa Harbour and meet the world's smallest and rarest oceanic dolphins, the Hector's dolphin, as well as New Zealand fur seals, White-flippered penguins and an array of seabirds, all while taking in the spectacular scenery. Just like the Marlborough Sounds, Akaroa is full of little inlets and bays are full of food for dolphins and other marine wildlife. Awesome trip. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one. We would like to book on a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Akaroa Dolphins is an award-winning tourist attraction in Akaroa, New Zealand. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. Sorry to see you go! How is Akaroa doing after the earthquake? Related: What are the most popular tours in Akaroa? I have kayaked short tips in AK, BC, Maine, & Costa Rica but only once in a single kayak and then my husband and I were alone in the jungle and not making time or needing to keep up with anyone. The best time to see dolphins & whales in New Zealand is May – Jul in the North Island. For some of the marine animals like seals and dolphins the time of day isn’t too much of a viewing factor. The cruise ship tenders dock at the main wharf. (ex: better chance to see more dolphins in the morning, etc...). dolphins in their natural habitat. A 4WD … As the world’s smallest and rarest oceanic dolphins, which are completely wild, we are not able to guarantee encounters. They are the world's smallest and rarest dolphin, and to swim with them in their natural habitat is truly a once in a lifetime experience. We would like to book on a cruise in the first week in January to swim with the dolphins in Akaroa.. As the cruise is empty on the day, we have a choice of the cruise time at 9am, noon and 2pm. I really want to see the hector's dolphins. If your tour does not see a …