Akaroa Marine Reserve, Marine reserve in Banks Peninsula Community, New Zealand.

Akaroa Marine Reserve is a protected marine area at the entrance of Akaroa Harbour covering roughly 512 hectares along Banks Peninsula. The waters shelter dolphins, seals, and penguins in their natural habitat.

Creation of this protected zone began in 1990 when Forest and Bird conducted exploratory dives to study the marine life. The area received official protection status in 2014 following years of assessment and planning.

Ngāi Tahu know the reserve's waters as Te Whata o Kōkiro, "the food store-house of Kōkiro". The surrounding Akaroa Taiāpure, set over 90% of the harbour in February 2006, lets the rūnanga and fisheries groups co-manage fishing; a tangata tiaki can override regulations, and one pāua farmer's right to take kelp is written into its legislation.

To explore the reserve, visitors book guided boat tours departing from Akaroa Township for the best experience. Alternatively, public boat ramps at Duvauchelle, Akaroa, and Wainui provide access for those with their own boats.

These waters are home to Hector's dolphins, one of the world's smallest dolphin species, measuring just 1.4 meters in length when fully grown. These remarkably tiny marine mammals make the reserve a destination for nature watchers seeking rare sightings.