[Tara Sage]

Has anyone swam with the dolphins at Akaroa yet?

Was wondering how much it costs and whether it was worth a go? My niece will be here in November and I am sure would love it although I think it may still be a little chilly!!

[Avalon]

as it happens - yes! :)

I cant remember how much we paid as it was nearly 3 years ago now (on the trip that decided us on this whole emigrating lark).

What I can tell you is that you may be a bit dissapointed with doing this at Akaroa - depending on your outlook. Akaroa is home to Hectors Dolphins, which live there because the sea is murkey. Which does make seeing dolphins a tad tricky. I believe that at Kaikoura, the sea is much clearer and so it is much easier to see the Dolphins (though they are a different type of Dolphin).

The sea really wasnt that chilly (we went in December), and bear in mind you are given wetsuits - the very first time I ever had to wear one. A very scary moment for those who are not a "pefect 10", slightly improved by the girl looking me up and down and declaring I was a size 14 (I was dreading that she would put me in a 16 or 18!). Once you get in the water, you really do warm up quite quickly.

Top Tip - Take a disposable waterproof camera. You can tap on the camera to "attract" the dolphins to you. As long as you do not try to touch the dolphins, this is perfectly acceptable apparently, and the guides advise it.

I thought it was utterly amazing - at one point i had 3 dolphins rushing underneath me. On the other hand, Alan couldnt see any - his eyesight isnt brilliant, and with the murky water - pretty hopeless. Hopefully we will get to do the same think in Kaikoura one of these days.

One other thing - theres a bar/cafe near the waterfront - quite a big place - and they werent very friendly (if i rememebr its near some toilets but my memorie is straining a biy here). We did however find a really nice little cafe with a pretty garden to sit in - had a most stunning chocolate cake on offer! Just what you need after all that swimming! :clap

Hope that helps

[Moorf]

Yep, we did it last year at Akaroa at Xmas time with my sis-in-law and her kids.

I agree with Avalon - you may be disappointed and it may be very cold, if not freezing. We had to pull Emily (who is 9 yrs old) out of the water a few secs after she got in - she turned blue and was in danger of hyperthermia. She was devastated as swimming with dolphins was one of her main things she wanted to do when here. Woz and I were given a metal "clicker" to attract the dolphins (we were the only people on the boat to get in :roll ) and we had to give it back to the skipper after a few mins as it became too cold to hold!! (they only gave us wetsuits - no booties or gloves etc although not sure if they were offered - if they were I'd have taken them!!).

Having swum with them before in Mexico we thought we knew what to expect - but in Akaroa the sightings were scarce, the water FREEZING and visibility awful. However, we may have caught it on a bad day, and yes, last year December didn't quite warm up as usual, but I personally would not go there again to swim with the dolphins until Feb / March.

We saw more dolphins on the Kaikoura whale watching trip in that same month than we did at Akaroa.

I would be wise to call the tour operators nearer the time - they can tell you whether the dolphins are in the vicinity or if mother nature has dictated they be elsewhere. :)

It's a shame because swimming with dolphins is the most amazing experience, we were lucky enough to have time with wild dolphins plus two trained ones (Mexico, not Akaroa) who pulled us along, torpedoed us out of the water by our feet and then just played with us in the water - totally amazing. We then had our pics taken with our favs....

[Avalon]

Moorf,

What stunning pictures, im utterly jealous.

Tara,

You wouldnt get photos like that at akaroa!

[denisesykes]

Yes I would agree with most of what has been said already.My OH and daughter went last December and although they had a great time my daughter who was 11 could not stay in the water as it was freezing despite the wetsuits.They did see a mother and baby which was great but there were not many dolphins around.The cost was about $100 per adult and $80 per child but , get this they got half their money back as they didn't see many dolphins! We were amazed!
You do get a certificate saying you have swum with dolphins which my daughter treasures even though she was only in the water for a minute.I do have some piccies which show the murkiness of the water and the size of the dolphins (cos they are tiny!)which I will try to post if I can find out how!

Denise

[Timbo]

From what I hear, one of the best places for this type of adventure, is around the Whakatane region in the BOP. Plenty of bottlenose around, and much warmer water.

[Moorf]

Thanks Timbo - you're psychic, was about to ask best NZ place to go!! :nice1

[Timbo]

This is apparently one of the best;

http://www.dolphinswim.co.nz/

[Tara Sage]

I think I might be giving Akaroa a miss :(

Great Pics Moorf

[Moorf]

I'd go for the whale watching at Kaikoura instead Tara - then you'll get to see the dolphins, have a fab boat trip and see the whales and albatross too :nice1 oh AND the seal colony, and don't forget to stop off at those wineries en route !!

[kiwidebs]

And swimming with the dolphins in Kaikoura is amazing too!! We did it a few years back in January. The water was cold but bearable in the wetsuits, the water was clear and the dolphins were fab!! We were both sooo buzzed afterwards.

Debs