90 minutes scenic drive from central Christchurch, in Otautahi’s sprawling backyard, lies the quaint and quirky seaside town of Akaroa.  Sporting a permanent population of a little over 700, this charming stop has all the flavour of a French Riviera in the South Pacific. As the locals call it, this “Nature’s Playground” is overflowing with more wildlife than an Attenborough documentary and as cliché as it sounds, there’s something for all ages.    

Out on the wharf, your ride awaits. Akaroa Dolphins cruises run 3 trips daily in summer and 1 daily in winter (weather dependent), beyond the heads of the harbour to encounter one of the world’s smallest and rarest marine mammals – the nationally vulnerable Hector’s dolphin. Prepare to be whisked away beyond the bay to a rugged world you won’t recognise. Hear stories of the pre-colonial Māori tribes who lived from the sea before colonial settlers staked claims to the antipodean paradise. Your captain doubles as tour guide, discussing how the history of this settlement shaped the land and shares his family’s fight to protect the endemic species so they can flourish in this safe haven for generations to come.

Aboard the catamaran, dolphins playfully navigate around the ship as you forge past Cormorant colonies, rare subspecies of the White-flippered penguin and the southernmost enclave of rare Nīkau Palm. The boat carefully navigates into narrow coves to explore caves blown open by the wild sea, witness seals pups frolicking in the sun and spy the treacherous stairway to the Haylocks Bay Lighthouse.

It’s not often you find the world’s smallest penguin and the seabird with the world’s largest wingspan living within metres of each other, but that’s exactly what we have here in Waitaha Canterbury. Our geographic remoteness lends itself to unique species and habitats comparatively untouched – the appeal is obvious.   

And not just appealing to all the native wildlife, but the inhabitants of the tight-knit town of Akaroa too. The Akaroa Dolphin’s cruise family are exactly that ~ a family. The Waghorns were formerly farming over the peninsula in Pigeon Bay, but Dad’s knees required easier terrain. With that, they sold up, bought a patch of paradise, and built in Akaroa.  

Pip (Mum and now Grandma) used to run the shop, selling tickets and merchandise and talks of how COVID did its best to knock them over. They built a custom boat perfect for tours, just before the outbreak. Thanks to the unwavering support of the local community and travellers, they were able to fend off the financial pressures and keep the bank's demands at bay.

As a ‘Crater Kid’, their daughter Julia felt the call back to the hills of the Banks Peninsula after time in Sydney and London, realising how important it was to leave the bay to better appreciate the scenery and serenity.  Starting a family cemented Julia’s plans to move home, and joining the family business was a natural choice.

“We love our backyard and we want to share it with everyone. The family have worked hard to preserve, protect and maintain our slice of paradise. Offering this experience provides us with so much more than financial reward; it gives us great balance and we love helping guests reconnect with nature and experience this sense of tranquillity. We’re so lucky to live and work here, but we don’t own this place. We’re simply caretakers for our children’s children,” says Julia.

The Waghorns fought with successive governments to create a marine reserve and protect the Hector’s dolphin habitat from overfishing and commercial operations. After 17 long years, the Akaroa Marine Reserve became the country’s newest reservation, stretching from 'Elephant Head' within the harbour to 'Gateway Point' spearheading 'The Amphitheatre', a natural landmark with a large hole for viewing through the rock, and an encapsulating bay protected from the southerly winds.

As you explore your way back into the ancient volcanic caldera, you’ll bare witness to the sheer force of nature. Once an ancient volcano, the Southern Ocean broke through the seawall creating the perfect habitat for our endangered dolphins seeking safe harbour in the warm, shallow waters Akaroa has today.

Keep your eyes peeled for the ‘Mickey Mouse ear’ fins, as families of dolphins shepherd you back to shore safely. For a truly memorable wildlife experience for the entire family, be sure to book well in advance. Weather conditions change constantly and the Waghorns and their team of superstars are here to help you have the greatest experience.

Written by Chris Wilcock from christchurchnz.com

Akaroa Dolphins was founded in 2004 by Hugh and Pip Waghorn. With daughter Julia and son George joining the family business in 2015. The team today consists of 13 dolphin and boating enthusiasts, as well as four dolphin-spotting dogs, who cannot wait to meet you and show you the beauty of Akaroa harbour!

Pip Waghorn

Founding owner, and everybody’s “Mum” 

Pip Waghorn with 'Into the Blue' catamaran in the background.
 
Pip is a direct descendant from the first French ship that settled in Akaroa in 1838. She has lived her whole life on the peninsula and her French family name Le Lievre is a big part of the local history. In the early days, before Akaroa Dolphins was even a thought, husband Hugh was busy shearing sheep while Pip was busy being a school teacher. Today Hugh is busy watching cricket and rugby while Pip is busy doing everything that involves running the business. Look out for this caring woman, if you are lucky, she will hug you and tell you all about the town, the area, and their unique family history.

Hugh Waghorn

Founding owner, and almost retired skipper

Hugh looking very dapper at Akaroa Dolphins 2016 croquet themed Christmas party.

Hugh grew up in the small-town Darfield, a 45-minute drive from Christchurch. After travelling the world young Hugh found out that there is no better place to be than home, so he returned to the hills of Banks Peninsula where his family had been living for over a century. One day in a shearing shed he bumped into Pip and together they started life with family and farming – which many years later turned into a family and dolphin watching business.

Julia Waghorn

Part owner, head of sustainability & marketing

Julia and Pip Waghorn with baby Alice.

It was not on the cards that the son and daughter of Hugh and Pip Waghorn would join Akaroa Dolphins. Big sister Julia with a Bachelor of Design, majoring in visual communication, worked abroad for years in Sydney and London. From being very much a “big city girl” Julia is still some days surprised to find herself now enjoying the quiet family life in small-town Akaroa. While being the mother of two girls, Julia has her skilled graphic design, marketing and social-media-understanding-fingers in everything that is going on behind the scenes in this family business. Maybe her quiet life in Akaroa is not so quiet after all…

George Waghorn

Part owner, skipper, and Mr Fix-It-All

George at the helm, in his happy place.

There is not a problem that George cannot fix. He is the mastermind behind Akaroa Dolphin’s brand-new vessel 'Akaroa Dolphin' and main skipper. George spent 12 years in the outback of Australia, working on cattle stations and in mines before returning home to Akaroa. George reads the sea like normal people drink tea, fluent, and easy. You are in for a treat if boating with George, he is not short of dad-jokes and he will proudly tell you everything about the town, his family, and the wildlife in his backyard - Akaroa harbour.

To learn more about all our team CLICK HERE!

Written by Emma Perrin & Julia Waghorn

Photos by Chalita Aommy Klumjui & Julia Waghorn 

For any media enquiries, media familiarisations, or to request brand assets to help promote Akaroa Dolphins including high-resolution photography, please email us at cruise@akaroadolphins.co.nz