Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura
About
Description
A dream for many of us is to swim with or watch dolphins in the wild! Whether you choose to view from the boat or swim in the dolphin’s natural environment, you will have a unique experience that will stay with you for a lifetime!
Dolphin Watching
The opportunity to go out and watch the dusky dolphins from our boats, gives visitors wonderful views of these spectacular and acrobatic dolphins. As well as this, there is the opportunity to witness any interaction between the dolphins and swimmers, who are also on the same boat.
Swimming with the Dolphins
The dusky dolphins inhabit the coastal waters off Kaikoura all year round, making Kaikoura a unique place in the world where wild dolphins can be encountered every day, weather permitting. It is this fact that sets our operation apart; our success rate of swimming with dolphins is second to none.
Dolphin Encounter’s point of difference is the fact that we have the highest success rate for locating the marine mammals and swimming with dolphins than anywhere in New Zealand. Numbers of dusky dolphins vary depending on the time of year and weather conditions, but generally pods from 100 dolphins to 1000 dolphins can be found off the Kaikoura Coast.
The Dolphin Encounter tour is an open ocean experience and for maximum enjoyment participants who choose to swim need to have a reasonable level of snorkelling experience. Swimming with the Dolphins demands a reasonable level of physical fitness for those wishing to participate. All clients need to have swimming ability and a good degree of water confidence. The entire tour is approximately three and a half hours in duration and very often we observe other marine life on the tours such as the New Zealand Fur Seal, Albatross and occasionally Orca.
All snorkelling equipment as well as wetsuits are provided for swimmers on the tour. You will need to bring a swimsuit, towel, warm clothing, daypack and a camera.
The swimming component of the tour is limited by way of Department of Conservation permits. These permits allow only 13 swimmers in the water at one time per boat. Demand for swimming is high so it is necessary to make reservations well in advance. There is adequate room for spectating and space for this option is not as limited.
Trip Includes
- Dolphin tour and complete guided commentary
- Swimming with the dolphins or watch from the safety and comfort of the boat
- Snorkelling equipment & wetsuits
Duration
- Allow 3.5 hours
Departures
- 8.30am & 12.30pm
- Departs from the Encounter Kaikoura office (15 minute walk from town centre)
Other Information
- Minimum age for swimming with dolphins is 8 years
- Minimum age for watching is 5 years (this can be reduced to 3-4 years at captains discretion if the conditions are suitable)
- Our vessels are purpose built and fitted with hot showers and toilets. The cabin is heated and blankets are available on board each vessel
- Due to the seasonal nature of our operation we have heavy demand for our tours throughout the busy tourist season - November to April. It is recommended that bookings be made well in advance during this period
- Encounter Kaikoura boasts an on-site cafe with great coffee, beautiful food and breathtaking views. Cafe Encounter is open for breakfast, lunch and casual dining throughout the day. The cafe is fully licenced, so why not pop in and sample some local beers and wines, our homemade baking and other tasty treats before or after your tour
- All tours are subject to suitable weather conditions. The sea conditions can change very quickly along the Kaikoura coast at little notice