Q&As

Hi there, The Akaroa Dolphin Swim has a minimum age limit is 8 years old and the children should be confident swimmers. Akaroa is roughly 1.5 hours from Christchurch, keep in mind that traffic in Christchurch can impact the time it takes getting to Akaroa.

Comment by: Everything New Zealand (Rhiannon) on 23rd Mar 24 at 16:05

Hi there, Due to December being a peak season, we would recommend booking sooner rather than later, being a popular tour it is subject to booking out quite far in advanced these busy months

Comment by: Everything New Zealand (Rhiannon) on 23rd Mar 24 at 16:08

Children under 5 years old are free to go on this trip but can only watch. We do require a guardian to be present on the boat at all times.

Comment by: Everything New Zealand (Rhiannon) on 28th Jun 19 at 09:00

Unfortunately although your daughter is a great swimmer there is a minimum age of 8 years old, therefore she would be unable to swim. She would however be able to watch the dolphins from on board the boat.

Comment by: Everything New Zealand (Rhiannon) on 18th Jan 19 at 11:22

Hi there, you should be able to participate in the Akaroa Dolphin Swim but please keep in mind it is the operator's call on the day whether they would recommend participating 

Comment by: Everything New Zealand (Rhiannon) on 22nd Nov 17 at 16:56

Thanks for your questions. There are small toilets aboard the boats and back on the wharf, they have showers, changing rooms and lockers for when you get back 

Comment by: Everything New Zealand (Rhiannon) on 12th Oct 17 at 14:17

Hi there. The Akaroa Shuttle departs from the main wharf daily, otherwise you will need to self drive to Akaroa 

Comment by: Everything New Zealand (Rhiannon) on 29th Jul 17 at 12:02

Dolphin swim tours from Akaroa are available daily all year, even during the colder winter months of the middle of the year. You are given thick wetsuits to wear and once you are in the water and moving around the colder water is not usually an issue for most people.

Comment by: Everything Travel Group (Callum) on 13th Jun 17 at 15:35

For all the activities and tours listed on our website we require at least 48 hours notice for cancellation and changes.

Comment by: Everything Travel Group (Callum) on 20th Jun 16 at 11:22

There is a resident pod of dolphins in Akaroa so it doesn't really matter what time of day. Often the weather is better (less windy) in the morning so I'd recommend booking for then if you want the best conditions.

Comment by: Everything Travel Group (Callum) on 20th Jun 16 at 11:18

Thanks for your question. You don't have to be an excellent swimmer to go swimming with the dolphins in Akaroa however you do have to be confident enough to be in the open water without hanging on to anything. The wetsuits are very thick so they act as a buoyancy aid so you can't sink with them on. There is also additional buoyancy aids such as float boards and noodles which you can use in the water. As long as you feel comfortable enough swimming a short distance away from the boat then you will be fine. Please be aware there are no guides in the water and instead they are keeping watch from the boat. 

Comment by: Everything Travel Group (Callum) on 28th Sep 14 at 20:10

Hi Kris. Yes, the Akaroa dolphin swim and dolphin watch are both on the same boat that departs from the Akaroa wharf where I believe all the cruise ships dock or if the ships are too big to dock then you will get a tender craft in to the wharf from the boat that will be moored out in the harbour.

Comment by: Everything Travel Group (Callum) on 9th Feb 13 at 14:31