I was as curious about the dolphin-spotting dogs of Akaroa as I was about enjoying the cruise and observing the marine life of Akaroa Harbour. On both counts, I wasn’t disappointed.

Akaroa Harbour

The name Akaroa is Kāi Tahu, Māori for ‘Long Harbour.’

Picturesque Akaroa Harbour sits at the tip of the Banks Peninsula on New Zealand’s South Island. It is an extinct volcanic crater rimmed with rugged cliffs and a myriad of sea caves.

The Akaroa Marine Reserve is a protected area at the entrance to the harbour. The reserve protects species such as dolphins and penguins from the hazards of fishing nets. Populations have strengthened as a result.

The dolphin-spotting dogs of Akaroa

With a rating of #1 of 30 tours in Akaroa, Akaroa Dolphins is a family-owned business offering two-hour cruises of Akaroa Harbour. The company is a Department of Conservation approved operator. A portion of each passenger’s fare is allocated towards dolphin education and research.

A valuable member of the crew on our February cruise was Buster, a miniature schnauzer. He’s been one of the dolphin-spotting dogs of Akaroa since the age of one.

Equipped with a dog’s life-vest and a keen ear, a dolphin-spotting dog can hear the dolphins’ high-pitched squeaks, squeals, clicks, chirps, and whistles that elude the human ear. Until we reached the marine reserve and the pod of dolphins, Buster rested on deck, but I sensed he was on duty and ready to spring into action.

When we were within range of the dolphins, Buster became animated, darting back and forth across and along the deck. His excitement has propelled him overboard on a couple of occasions, so his life-vest is a necessity. Buster and the skipper work as a team; Buster spots the pods and the captain positions the boat for the best viewing angles. With the dolphin-spotting dogs’ involvement, Akaroa Dolphins has a 98 per cent dolphin-spotting rate on its cruises.

As the boat picked up speed to cross the harbour, Buster found warmth and sanctuary in the lap of an accommodating passenger.

Hector’s dolphins

The harbour is home to Hector’s dolphins, the world’s smallest and rarest oceanic dolphins, weighing between 40kg and 60kg at maturity and rarely growing more than 1.4 metres long.

Hector’s dolphins are found only in New Zealand waters. Akaroa Harbour and the Banks Peninsula host the highest population in one location. They have a territorial range of 52 kilometres, never going far from where they are born. 

The Hector’s dolphin is distinguishable from other dolphins by their rounded black dorsal fin. Their short, stocky bodies are a distinctive grey colour, with white and black markings. They also have a short snout.

A large part of the day is taken up with feeding, consuming an average of 4 kg/day. They use echolocation to find their food, sending out high-frequency clicks and listening for returning echoes. The echoes can tell them how far away a fish is, what kind of fish it is, and how fast it’s moving.

Hector’s dolphins spend their days feeding and playing. They love to surf on waves and play with seaweed. They’re very curious and seemed as interested in us as we were in them. They put on a spectacular show as they cavorted around the bow of the boat to surf the bow wave.

More than dolphins

The dolphins were a huge attraction, but there was more to our harbour cruise.

White-flippered penguins are among the smallest penguins in the world. They’re only about 30 cm tall and weigh about 1.5 kg. Their white underbellies help them avoid detection by their predators lurking below in deeper waters.

New Zealand Fur Seals sun themselves on the rocks near Seal Bay.

The verdict

It was a superb morning on Akaroa Harbour. A touch of New Zealand hospitality included a welcome-aboard drink of NZ Steinlager, NZ Cabernet Sauvignon, or a softer offering.

Buster, one of the dolphin-spotting dogs of Akaroa, was a definite star of the show.

Are you travelling within New Zealand? Or perhaps you’re planning a trip from overseas? Congratulations; you won’t be disappointed. It’s a stunningly beautiful country, and you’ll be welcomed by friendly Kiwis. Might you be interested in some related posts?

• For spectacular scenery, hike New Zealand’s Banks Track
• The best way to see the Milford Sound in New Zealand
• The controversial story of New Zealand’s bra fence
• Hike or cycle Roxburgh Gorge Trail in New Zealand
• For amazing scenery, cycle New Zealand’s Queenstown Trail
• Hike or cycle Clutha Gold Trail in New Zealand
• Hike or cycle Otago Central Rail Trail in New Zealand

If you found this post helpful, pleease share it by selecting one or more social media buttons. If you have any thoughts on this post, please shear them in the contents. Thank you.

Care to pin it for later?

This post is neither sponsored nor solicited, and I’ve received no rewards from the service provider. I paid the full fare for my ticket on the Akaroa Dolphins cruise.