pictures-of-newzealand.com » Travelogue New Zealand: Akaroa Dolphins, Banks Peninsula
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Travelogue New Zealand
previousNov 19
Sun
Akaroa Dolphins
The weather is nice and the sea is calm today. I call Pip at the Akaroa Dolphins office on Beach Road and book a cruise at 10.15 am. Yesterday I met her husband Hugh at the harbour. We had a talk while he was washing the boat and that's how we learned of Akaroa Dolphins. They are a very professional, small family company. The trip takes 2 hours and they charge just $55 p.p.. Including skipper and guide there are only 14 of us on board, the atmosphere is quite personal and relaxed. I have to take care as I tend to get seasick. I'm glad I don't have to take any capsules this time. The skipper gives me an anti-seasickness wristband, which sends an electrical current to the median nerve in the wrist and shows me how to adjust it (depending on how I'm feeling).
It really helps! I don't dare to walk around on the deck, but I enjoy the whole cruise within Akaroa Harbour and beyond the entrance into the Pacific Ocean sitting on the front deck, feeling the breeze on my face. Unfortunately (!) I didn't take many pictures, because looking through the finder just makes me feel even dizzier when I'm on a swaying boat.
Harbour cruise with Akaroa Dolphins · more Akaroa pictures 
The swell is a bit of all right. We stop very close to the rock caves in the harbour and see lots of seals and sea birds. Twice we see a little Blue Penguin paddling in the water. The women especially are delighted. It's so cute :-)
Then playful Hector's Dolphins swim and jump around the vessel. They come very close and as the deck is close to sea level you can enjoy them close-up. The cruise is pure fun and highly recommendable. Meanwhile the sky has turned a deep grey and our guide Rosy guesses the next cruise will be either very rough or even cancelled. So it was good timing which is often essential if you want to hike and cruise in New Zealand. Not for nothing is the Kiwi saying:
If you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes.
Fast changing weather conditions · more Akaroa pictures
