Akaroa, Dolphins Cruise, Sunday 20 February.









1) Leaving the Harbour

2) Dolphins swimming under the rear of the boat




Today was an off the bike rest day. With the weather still calm and sunny I decided on a morning boat cruise of Akaroa Harbour with a firm called Akaroa Dolphins. I booked this about 45 minutes before sailing and luckily they had room. As the name suggests one of the main objects of the 2 hour cruise is to spot Dolphins.

Akaroa harbour is an ideal area for the Hector Dolphin the smallest in the world together with Seals, Penguins and Cormorants.

Soon after we left the harbour the Skipper spotted some Dolphins which at several stages swam alongside and underneath the boat.

Later we spotted a penguin in the water. I know Peter will be especially interested in this as he was anxious to see one on the trip. The penguin was nervous of boats so we couldn't get very close. I got a picture with the zoom lens of my slide camera but not with the digital camera so a view will have to await the slide show.

We also saw Cormorants and seals on a trip which went beyond the harbour entrance.

The ships dog was called Hector, a scotty who went crazy when dolphins were spotted and also had a specially fitted lifejacket.

The afternoon was spent lazing around the town harbour and beach doing some sunbathing. Back to the biking tomorrow with a return ride to Christchurch.