Kaikoura Dolphin Encounter Stray NZ
Home. Travel Guide » New Zealand » Destination Guides » Kaikoura » Dolphin Encounter

Dolphin Encounter

Contact

Dolphin Encounter
96 Esplanade
Kaikoura 7300

Phone 0800 733 365

Visit website

Price

$$-$$$

Swimming with the dusky dolphins in Kaikoura should be at the top of your ‘must do’ list while visiting New Zealand.  Not only is Kaikoura regarded as the best place in the world to swim with dolphins, the dusky dolphins are renowned as the best dolphins in the world to swim with!

Wetsuits to keep you warm in the water are provided, as well as snorkelling equipment including fins, which will enable you to move in ‘synch’ with the dolphins.  All you need to bring is a swimsuit, a towel, warm clothing such as a jacket and hat, and a gear bag large enough to take your clothes on board the boat with you.  At the end of your swim you can change back into your clothes and this will help you warm up.

If swimming is not for you then joining the tour as a watcher is also a wonderful experience.  Our boats are designed to enable excellent viewing of the dolphins.  Good access to the bow of the boats enables opportunities for outstanding photography.  The acrobatic leaps and somersaults of the dolphins are almost like being at your very own dolphin show!  They are brilliant to watch and the entertainment value is priceless.

We have introduced GoPro cameras which can be hired before the tour and this has proved to be a very popular option.  The images and videos are copied to a USB stick at the end of the tour and ensure our customers are able to have beautiful mementos to keep of their time with the dolphins.

Tours operate three times a day in the summer months and two times a day in the winter months and the number of swimmers is limited to just 16 per boat, so book well ahead to avoid disappointment.  

Book this activity in your Stray Mate app for a special discount!

What to bring: 

  • Warm windproof clothing
  • Camera
  • Swimsuit and towel (for swimmers) 

 

Have a question or want to book? Get in touch with our team