Akaroa Dolphins: Small Group Nature Cruise with Local Wine and Homemade Treats

Join Akaroa Dolphins for a small group nature cruise in Akaroa, New Zealand. Enjoy local wine, homemade treats, and get up close to wildlife. Book now!

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • 65 Beach Road - As a holder of a New Zealand Department of Conservation Marine Mammal Viewing Permit, we are legally authorized to take guests on dolphin and seal viewing tours. We are proud to be one of only two year-round operators in Akaroa Harbour with this permit, so we encourage you to choose responsibly.
    Enjoy a 2-hour nature cruise on our…
What's Included
  • Famous home-baked cookies
  • Complimentary New Zealand wine, beer, or a non-alcoholic option
What's Not Included
  • We do not swim with the dolphins.
Additional Information

At the heart of our operations is a family-run business, with our management team being 6th and 7th generation locals from Banks Peninsula. In addition to our family members, we have a dedicated team eager to ensure you have an unforgettable experience!
We maintain small passenger groups to provide ample space for you to move around the boat and enjoy…

Location
65 Beach Road
Beach Road
Check-in is no later than 30 minutes prior to the departure, with boarding 15 minutes beforehand. Please note, Akaroa is roughly a 90-minute drive from Christchurch and Lyttelton Port.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(1942 Ratings)
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1 star
Odyssey824452
Aug 11, 2025
Great fun! - Definitely the tour to choose!. Smaller more intimate experience. Great crew and we saw dolphins and more!. My friend was sea sick and crew couldn't have been kinder.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lainsholiday
Jul 28, 2025
Fantastic 100% Book with Akaroa Dolphins, you'll love it! - Fantastic afternoon out on the water! The boat is beautifully maintained & clean, with plenty of fab spots to hang out & not so big that you're battling a crowd. Skipper & staff were fab, fun, friendly & knowledgeable - even the super cute four legged ones. Complimentary wine/ beer/ coffee and home baked treats were an extra lovely touch, as well as the jackets on offer if it got too nippy. Couldn't have asked for any more, it was the perfect trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Meggsydney
Jul 25, 2025
Great trip! - Today was a beautiful day for a cruise on calm waters. The Akaroa team were excellent. Easy to book online and redeem the tickets before the cruise. The skipper and his crew were great, including the dolphin sensing dog. A free drink and cookie were offered during the cruise. The Skipper gave a great commentary and did lead us to some dolphins. It was a smooth ride. Small boat was good. Definitely recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Culture50865153253
Jul 20, 2025
- 10 out of 10! I am from Germany and this was one of the best experiences I have had since being in NZ. We saw lots of Dolphins and seals. We just missed the humpback whales that were in the harbour a couple of days before, but this is a MUST DO! The team are exceptional and one trip I will remember for ever!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tour02289303640
Jul 7, 2025
Excited to spot dolphins on a winter's day - We'd thoroughly recommend this trip. The guides were super friendly and informative, and the dolphin dog, Theo, thoroughly earned his keep, spotting several Hector's dolphins despite it being winter. And the drink and cookie were an added bonus!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
718jalpap
Jul 5, 2025
wonderfull - cruise was awosome lovely staff and excellent trip, but our badluck we coulden’t get to see any dolphins though they offer us complementery trip once more within six month time as we could not see dolphins this time which is very greatfull.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ms_gms_2019
Jun 26, 2025
Wonderful outing with Hector's Dolphins - Small group harbour cruise with friendly, knowledgeable, helpful staff. Real care was taken to enable everyone to have a good experience. Akaroa and the harbour are stunning; amazing to see the wildlife there. Strongly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Emmaff345qf
Jun 16, 2025
Dolphin cruise in South Island - Great people! Great views! Amazing experience with very friendly and personal people. Would recommend to everyone!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jasminebt867fa
Jul 9, 2025
Gorgeous views but no 'complimentary' drink :( - Beautiful views and saw a few dolphins and seals! The captain was very knowledgeable which really made a difference. I felt a bit awkward about being the only passenger not to be offered a 'complimentary' drink, especially as it was so cold.. I initially thought it was a mistake, but the host went and offered everyone else on the front deck one apart from me.. TWICE! I'm not sure if maybe it was because I was travelling solo, but I felt a bit embarrassed to speak up. Oh well - would still recommend regardless.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
493himanshuc
Jul 21, 2025
- The cruise was good, nice and clean. However, we didn’t saw any dolphins there which was the saddest part. We drove from Christchurch and this was our second time booking this cruise and once again we end up by just taking photos of the views but with no dolphins. We went to the office to find a lady who gave us tickets( we booked for 3 people) and she literally told us at the beginning of the journey that if by any chance we didn’t see dolphins, we can come again and would get free ride in this cruise, but we didn’t find her. So if they can keep their words and will offer 3 tickets to us again that will be highly appreciative or else we won’t be wasting any further money on this. Because honestly, we already spend nearly $900 and end with nothing.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $71
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).