Akaroa Harbour

4.5 star rating: Recommended 37 Reviews | Add review

  • Address: Main Wharf, Akaroa
  • Hours: Open daily
  • Admission: Free

Akaroa Harbour Reviews

We've found 37 Akaroa Harbour reviews from Viator.com travelers and members: what they loved, what they liked and what they think could be improved. It's all here to help you make the most of your next trip.

Results 1–15 of 37

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5 star rating: Highly Recommended Review by Isabella C, April 2013
Doing what: Swimming with Dolphins in Akaroa

We had a great time. The sights are amazing and the guides were helpful. The water was a little brisk, but the wetsuits were fine. The dolphins came around, but weren't very interested in sticking around very long with us that day, but we still enjoyed ourselves. We were very happy with the experience, but the guides said it wasn't a full enough of an adventure and gave us a partial refund! Great experience.

The drive from Akaroa to Christchurch takes about and hour and a half and the scenery is breathtaking. Upon arrivig in Christchurch we were taken to the Botanical Gardens and the Museum next to the Gardens. Each venue needed at least an hour to walk through. We had 45 minutes total and for most on the bus it was a bathroom stop with no way to see or appreciate either. The drive through central Chrischurch which took the brunt of the earthquake, was like tourinng the aftermath of a war zone. Huge parking lots exist where buildings one stood. And many other streets are still barrackaded with massive amounts of debris or buildings are shored up with stacks of shipping containers. The sad part is that it will take another 10 years to rebuild the city and those that could afford it have moved to other areas. There is no time allocated for any sightseeing of Akaroa, a very small, cute village.

Tour and guide were great, but Christchurch was depressing with all of the damage from the earthquake. If we went again we would take a different tour with a more upbeat location!

Thoroughly enjoyed our trip Very sad re Christchurch Couldn't believe the amount of damage done Can't imagine that you would have a home one minute and then nothing The driver did a great job with his comments during the trip Enjoyed the church - wonderful and the scenery was outstanding

Thanks Roy and Fay Bowman

The tour could have left thirty minutes before it actually did. As a result, everything felt rushed during the day. The bus itself was not the newest and almost broke down on the way home several miles from port.,the air conditioning was dripping water on some of the passengers who had to move. Thisnismnot a personalized tour but a pretty full coachp of about 35 - 40 people.

The ride along the Banks Peninsula was okay but the Christchurch City sight/drive was not something I expected at all. Nothing special. The city is waiting for a reconstruction. It would be better if the tour companly had pictures of the city before the quake to share so people can have a better appreciation of the city.

4 star rating: Recommended Review by Nicola A, February 2013
Doing what: Akaroa Swim with Dolphins Tour from Christchurch

I can highly recommend swimming with the Dolphins! They are so beautiful and in the wild, an experience I will never forget. And the pickup, transfer etc also all went smoothly. Do it!

Tour guide informative and interesting. Great value for money.

Long bus trip to Christchurch. Old bus that had a hard time in the mts.

5 star rating: Highly Recommended Review by Rupita, January 2013
Doing what: Akaroa Swim with Dolphins Tour from Christchurch

amazing experience, everyone should do this!

4 star rating: Recommended Review by Tony O, January 2013
Doing what: Swimming with Dolphins in Akaroa

BOOK DIRECTLY. The trip was freat but bookiing via Viatour was a mistake. I didn't receive any information about how fr it was from Christchurch, one hour, and I alsmost missed the tour.It was lucky I had a car. Also Viatour provided no address or directions on arrival and I had to wing it as I was in a hurry and no phone connection.

Great value and great tour Really liked being picked up and dropped off at the pier, also the guarantee return in time for ship departure. Good tour driver.
Friends were able to book the same tour with us at the pier.

5 star rating: Highly Recommended Review by Sas, December 2012
Doing what: Swimming with Dolphins in Akaroa

This was an incredible trip. We got to swim with quite a few dolphins and the guide was very informative. The dolphins were swimming right up to us and then around us. I wasn't scared at all even in the deep water. We were in the water for about 45 mins. You get thick wetsuites so you don't get cold

5 star rating: Highly Recommended Review by Jesse R, USA, August 2012
Doing what: Akaroa Harbour Nature Cruise

Unfortunately, our cruise was cancelled when we arrived on the dock on our day as the waters were considered too rough and high winds. I rate the cruise a 5 star anyway as I know it would have been great.

5 star rating: Highly Recommended Review by Maria N, May 2012
Doing what: Swimming with Dolphins in Akaroa

Amazing experience! Wonderful landscapes to begin with, the dolphins are very social and it's so much fun to have them swimming right next to you! The staff is very enthusiastic and well informed. The water is cold, but the suits really help. Definitely a must-do if you are in the area!

Results 1–15 of 37

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