Our Blog

Akaroa Marine Reserve was established in 2014 and is New Zealand’s newest marine reserve. After 20 years of fighting for the cause, this was achieved by the wonderful Akaroa Marine Protection Society, which included the founders of Akaroa Dolphins, Hugh & Pip Waghorn, whom realised the need for greater protection of the marine environment and to ensure the future health of Akaroa harbour.

We have been working with the New Zealand Whale & Dolphin Trust since we began in 2004. We have a strong relationship and often have staff actively joining our vessels, collecting data for PhD projects on the Hector’s dolphins. From this research, we are able to educate and inform our guests on the interesting scientific findings, which we share on a daily basis! In 2017, we raised $2,700 which went directly to the trust and their research.

For all you bird lovers out there this is the ‘must tick’ list for your visit to Akaroa. From our beautiful little native songbirds to our rarer, larger seabirds. Each and everyone is special in their own way. Enjoy our descriptions, photographs and paintings made just for our readers.

If you’re thinking ‘What to do in Akaroa’ and you only have one day, whether you are coming from Christchurch or a cruise ship this article has been designed for you! One of our biggest tips is to book everything in ADVANCE – just so you don’t miss out!

Not only do we see the smallest and rarest oceanic dolphin daily, but we also occasionally spot the world’s largest dolphin - the Orca, otherwise known as the Killer Whale. We get surprise visits from the Orca once or twice a year, and never no when this might be.

If you’re an Instagram lover like us, or on a budgeted New Zealand experience, we thought you would appreciate a list of all the ’go-to’ FREE spots in and around Akaroa.