Swimming with Hector's Dolphins in Akaroa New Zealand (Onuku Farm Hostel)

Hector’s dolphins are the world’s rarest and smallest oceanic dolphins, growing up to 1.5m in length.
They are characterized by their rounded dorsal fin shaped like a Mickey Mouse ear. Check out the distinct black and white markings on their grey stocky bodies!
Hector’s dolphins are found only in the waters of Aotearoa / New Zealand, with a total population of about 7,000.
Around 900 of them live around Akaroa Harbour and Banks Peninsula. They have a territorial range of 52 kilometres, never going far from where they are born.
Hector’s dolphins are naturally curious creatures. When a pod is spotted from a distance, instead of chasing them, our skipper would stop the boat and let them come to us on their own terms. Most of the time, they do!
Connect even deeper if they are feeling playful, as the dolphins sometimes swim around us and try to interact in the water.
For more info, visit www.onukudolphinswim.nz/
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Carefree by Kevin MacLeod
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[@graemeblackledge2076]

They are taonga, unique, special, treasured!, and it is our duty as kiwis to protect their environment and do everything we can to help their numbers grow and get them off the endangered species list.

[@JadeDragon407]

These are neat, I like their coloring. Never knew there were dolphins that only got that big. I'm sure they are as social and exploring as other breeds. Swimming and being around them would be relaxing.

[@LindaMerchant-bq2hp]

Like porpoises smallest dolphins