Day 8: Swimming with dolphins in Akaroa

Will’s Corner
“Hello out there Connie and Maisie. Why aren’t you on the blog? I went swimming with dolphins yesterday. I jumped in the South Pacific Ocean. It was scary but OK. I had a barbie for dinner.”

“Hello Mummy, Thomas and Edward. I’m having fun. I’ve got a crystal. Bye” Yesterday was the BIG trip: a 1.5hour drive (through some more incredible scenery) to Akaroa to go swimming with dolphins.

The blog
The South Pacific Ocean is home to Hectors dolphin – an endangered species and one that was virtually hunted to extinction. In 1984 there were less that 400 dolphins in Akaroa and deaths exceeded births by over 400%. The NZ Government created Akaroa as a Marine Nature Reserve and today, the population of dolphins stands at around 1,000 (of a total global population on 7,000). The dolphins are completely wild, so the process of spotting and then choosing to swim with one is a precarious one.

First you need to spot them by looking for their black dorsal fins (dolphins usually travel in pods of three). On approach you need to ensure that the pod is not a mother with a calf (they tend to be more protective). Assuming that is OK, you need to check that the dolphins are not displaying signs of aggression. One all these criteria are satisfied, we look to see whether the dolphins are being sociable. We initially came across a pod of three. The first few dolphins we spotted weren’t up for play, so we initially went on a boat trip of Akaroa harbour.

On finding a suitable pod, we then got in. Including Will. What can I say – the South Pacific is pretty cold. But the boy was completely unafraid. The rest was simply incredible. After the first two dolphins arrived, another ten came to play. Armed with two stones (which you click together underwater to replicate the clicking sound that dolphins make), the entire group were then subject to an hour’s worth of breathtaking engagement. The photos will never give the experience justice.

Back at the ranch, we all received our certificates, duly purchased tat at the souvenir shop and stopped for a couple of bevvies. I’m getting quite used to Monteith’s Black. mmmm…. The rest of the day involved a trek back, hunting for possum roadkill (apparently my dad didn’t believe that they existed – we have the photo to prove him wrong) and a barbeque at a friend’s house. Actually, we turned up and used their BBQ, they just provided the house, bbq and beer! Tomorrow will see the camper van collected and the road trip begin.