Julia Waghorn's Colleagues at Akaroa Dolphins | Harbour Nature Cruises
Julia Waghorn's Contact Details
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Canterbury, New Zealand
Akaroa Dolphins | Harbour Nature Cruises
Julia Waghorn's Company Details
ABOUT:Akaroa Dolphins is a locally owned & operated family business, which offers 2-hour harbour nature cruises on a luxurious "State-of-the-art, eco-friendly" catamaran. Accommodating a small number of guests, so passengers are able to enjoy a more personal experience. Our main aim is to introduce guests to the endangered Hector's dolphins, with the help of our expert dolphin spotting dogs. A percentage of each passenger's fare goes towards the research and education of the dolphins.BACKGROUND:Founding owners, Hugh & Pip Waghorn are 5th & 6th generation locals to the Banks Peninsula area. After 23 years of farming, they saw an opportunity & brought the tourism operation ‘Bluefin Charters' back in 2004. Early on they knew they'd have to distinguish themselves, seeing a gap in the market for luxurious & intimate cruises. They have developed a casual nature cruise employing 2 locals to being the most luxurious nature experience in Akaroa, which employs 12 team members.Akaroa Dolphins today is a progressive family-owned business where four Waghorn's work daily side-by-side, each contributing with what they do best. Daughter Julia & son George joined the business in 2015.AWARDS:Akaroa Dolphins won the Champion Canterbury Business Awards | Tourism Small Enterprise in 2015, has been recognised on TripAdvisor for being the number #1 Tour in Akaroa. In 2018 Kiwi Bank featured Akaroa Dolphins as a case study for their campaign ‘Business Success Stories'. In 2021 Akaroa Dolphins gained the Gold Sustainable Tourism Business Award from Qualmark.CONSERVATION:In 2014, Akaroa Marine Reserve was formally opened. Hugh & Pip helped establish this reserve after 20 years of debate. Another goal has been to give back to the community where possible, whether it be through sponsorship or complimentary cruises for local kids. In 2019, a highlight for the team was when Akaroa Dolphins donated a sum of $30,000 which went directly towards the rebuild of Akaroa's new hospital.