Dolphin Seafaris
Dolphin Seafaris
4.5
Swim with DolphinsBoat ToursEco ToursDolphin & Whale WatchingNature & Wildlife Tours
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
Watch & Swim with wild dolphins in the crystal clear waters of the Bay of Plenty. Get closer to dolphins, orca, whales and seals on board our comfortable purpose built 50ft power Cat ' Guardian'. Trips depart daily from Tauranga. Our expert crew of Wildlife Guides will ensure your trip with us is a great experience for your visit to our region. We supply all gear; wetsuits, masks and snorkels, give a briefing to our swimmers, and also include hot drinks, juice, fresh fruit and morning tea in our prices which are the best around by far. See huge pods of Common Dolphins closer than you will see anywhere playing and just doing what comes natural as you meet them eye to eye in the clear Pacific Ocean. We can happen upon Orca, whales (seasonal), seals, seabirds, penguins and offshore nature reserve islands, it's an awesome day out. Join us at Dolphin Seafaris for a first class, comfortable cruise!
Mount Maunganui, New Zealand
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
364 reviews
Excellent
283
Very good
34
Average
15
Poor
6
Terrible
26
BOP H
1 contribution
Jan 2024 • Friends
We were lucky enough to arrange an educational marine biology trip with Dolphin Seafaris and it was the best!
We saw; a sunfish, an albatross, a mako shark, a giant leatherback turtle (that came really close to the boat for ten minutes and then it waved goodbye to us)! Penguins, eagle rays, stingrays (snorkelling), and a hammerhead shark.
The Dolphin Seafaris crew look after everything. They are very knowledgeable and make everyone feel welcome.
We saw; a sunfish, an albatross, a mako shark, a giant leatherback turtle (that came really close to the boat for ten minutes and then it waved goodbye to us)! Penguins, eagle rays, stingrays (snorkelling), and a hammerhead shark.
The Dolphin Seafaris crew look after everything. They are very knowledgeable and make everyone feel welcome.
Written 14 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JJBdt2014
London, UK9 contributions
Jun 2020 • Friends
Best tour we have done in New Zealand so far. We had the chance to see over 50 dolphins (probably closer to 100) and swim with them (without being intrusive - this is a eco/smart tour). The staff/guides are super friendly and kept spoting animals for us on the way back!!: albatros, seal and orcas!! Thank you to the crew!
Written 17 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kia ora,
Thank you so much for your amazing review! That means so much to us. We had an absolute blast on the boat with you. Come see us again in the future if you are passing through Tauranga.
Ngā mihi nui,
The Dolphin Seafaris Team
Written 22 June 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Anita Z
Zurich, Switzerland15 contributions
To see wild dolphins is a breath taking experience. I can't describe this with words, i'm still speachless. However it's also the crew who makes this day awesome. They try really hard to find dolphins. Even though they find them almost every day, you can't forget that they are wild animals - but also this fact makes it really special when you finally spot them. I can strongly recommend to go out with Cameron who knows how to entertain the people on bord. You can feel his passion & excitement. His definitely not just doing his job because of earning money. Thank you so much!!
Written 4 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Max Ashton
London, UK3 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
Only after booking did I realise that while I could not cancel under their terms, they could cancel up to the night before. Totally unfair contract terms, and when I complained of it to TripAdvisor they were not interested. the trip was then a disaster, no dolphins seen, no meaningful guidance and we never left the boat. Total disaster and avoid at all costs.
Written 1 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kaitlynfh
Tauranga, New Zealand4 contributions
Apr 2015 • Friends
My friend and I could not have asked for a better day! Weather was perfect, sea was calm, the amount of dolphins we saw was crazy! I was reluctant to swim, but workers assured me I would regret it if I didn't and they were definitely right! Words cannot explain how fun and amazing it was, would recommend to everyone and well worth the money!
Written 4 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Myles Peter K
2 contributions
Thanks Cameron & Crew! We had a great day out. Tonnes of dolphins, birds and fish plenty of info and the sea was even warm! Could have asked for more. Recommended to anyone!
Written 3 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
16leahr
1 contribution
The dolphins were so cute! It was such an amazing experience, a day well spent. Would definitely do it again! The crew was really nice, friendly and so helpful. They went of their way to help with everyone and everything and were really good at spotting not only dolphins but penguins & a seal! The skipper Cameron was also amazing and he is definitely a major part of the experience. Thanks again Cameron!!! :) :) :)
Written 1 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
becbecbar
Auckland, New Zealand1 contribution
Mar 2015 • Friends
I am not one to take the time to write reviews but after such an amazing experience with dolphin seafaris I had to share. I have previously gone on a tour with a different company and had such a bad experience so was apprehensive about what to expect this time but dolphin seafaris exceeded any previous expectations. The staff were so professional and entertaining giving loads of awesome facts and jokes. Then to top it off we found such a large pod of dolphins I was mesmerized. I highly recommend using these guys over anyone else you wont regret it.
Written 15 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ecotravelz
Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand127 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
The dolphins danced for us.they surfed in the wake, They dived and swam and frolicked in the water. We saw some really young babies. We even saw a little bit of dolphin sex. This was a fabulous day out. The Dolphin Safari team gave us a day to remember. New Zealand law says "no" to swimming with the babies. Thanks Dolphin Safaris for respecting the dolphins and the law. And thanks to the dolphins for giving us a fabulous day out in the Bay of Plenty. Recommended.
PS the self centred whiners and moaners will never understand Respect -they think the world revolves around them.
PS the self centred whiners and moaners will never understand Respect -they think the world revolves around them.
Written 14 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen T
Newcastle, Australia12 contributions
Jan 2015 • Family
I went out on a dolphin 'swim' cruise last week, not only did I not swim with dolphins I did even see any. I understand its not always possible to see Dolphins however spending 6 hours on a boat with absolutely nothing to do and little to eat was unbearable, particularly with children. I was aware no refund was ever going to be given but offering a voucher to go out again is an insult. Why would I waste another 6 hrs of my life on a boring boat ride to take the chance again of not seeing or swimming with any Dolphins. I would not recommend this trip to anyone, but only can blame myself for putting myself and my children through this. The owners need to have more interesting crew members on board willing to help rid the boredom somehow and at least organise a stop for a swim or something. A part refund for what was an extremely expensive 'boat ride' should be considered when this happens.
Written 18 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
From your website I understand that if able to swim with the dolphins we will hold onto a bar from the boat. Is it easy to hold on with one hand and hold a gopro with another or will I require an attachment e.g. chest harness? Thanks
Written 11 November 2018
Dolphin Seafaris
Tauranga, New Zealand
Hi Londonreviewer,
Thank you for your e-mail. The boat is moving forwards slowly so if the sea is not too rough you can hold on with 1 hand. A harness is not a bad idea to bring along if you have one.
When were you thinking of joining us for our dolphin tour?
Kindest,
Dolphin Seafaris
Written 14 November 2018
Are you able to accommodate cruise ship passengers? We are scheduled to arrive at 8am on February 3, 2018
Written 2 December 2017
Dolphin Seafaris
Tauranga, New Zealand
Yes we can. When do you disembark. We pick up right outside the cruis ship terminal. .you can find out more information on our website as well. . Cheers
Written 3 December 2017
Hallo Cobattante,
es ist natürlich alleine das Verschulden des Anbieters, dass sich Dir keine Delfine gezeigt haben.... Schon mal was von Wilderness gehört? wenn Du dressierte Delfine sehen möchtest, gibt es in Dubai eineige schönen Wasserparks . Dort werden die Tiere total artgerecht in Minibecken gehalten... Da siehst Du sie dann garantiert..... Mann Mann Mann, sowas kann nur eine völlig ahnungslose Person schreiben, die besser in den Stuttgarter Zoo gehen sollte als in das Land der Naturwunder Neuseeland ....
Written 23 November 2017
Is last week of Jan and early feb a good time to do the safari tour? thanks guys.
Written 21 July 2017
Dolphin Seafaris
Tauranga, New Zealand
Hi Elizabeth
Yes absolutely that is an amazing time to do the safari. The ocean is warm and lots of dolphins around. We have over a 95 percent success rate during the season. You can book at Nzdolphin and find more information. Let me know inyou have further questions.
Kind regards
Cameron
Dolphin Seafaris
Written 21 July 2017
Dear Dolphin Seafaris!
We will be in Tauranga at the end of August 2017. I read that the "season opens again in November". How high are our chances of getting to see/being able to swim with dolphins in August?
Looking forward to coming to New Zealand!
Greetings from Austria,
Carmen
Written 11 July 2017
Dolphin Seafaris
Tauranga, New Zealand
Hi Carmen.
Sorry we are closed until November.
Regards dolphin Seafaris.
Written 12 July 2017
When is the best time of year to see whales around the north island of nz.plz???
Written 4 May 2017
Dolphin Seafaris
Tauranga, New Zealand
Hi
Thanks for the question. We see whales about 10-12 percent of the time on our tours. It can happen any month however November December we had quite a few whale sightings this year. Brydes whales and of course orca. We also saw a rare Pygmy blue whale this year and a humpback in march. We have seen pilot whales and false killer whales as well You really need to be lucky on the day. The majority of the time it is the common dolphin we see. Let me know if you have further questions.
Kind regards
Dolphin Seafaris nz
Written 4 May 2017
Is it too cold to add the swim and snorkel in mid- April?
Written 6 March 2017
I couldn't tell you. We went in December. However the wetsuits provided are very well insulated and it would be warmer than in Kaikoura or Akaroa I imagine.
Written 27 April 2017
Hi there, do you do private charters for a group of 10-20 people? What would approximate cost be in presumably peak season 3-5th Jan 2016
Cheers, Kate
Written 16 September 2016
Hi Kate, I was a passenger on Dolphin Seafaris NZ - not the owner. It would be best to ring them on +647-5770105 or email them via their website (Dolpin Seafaris NZ) and they would be able to answer your question. I think they do run private charters.
Good luck!
Des
Written 16 September 2016
I didn't understand where I have to show up when I 've booked a tour online . Is there an office or just the boat ? where do I keep my valuables in case if swimming ?
Written 21 June 2016
Dolphin Seafaris
Tauranga, New Zealand
Hi. Thanks for the enquiry. Yes you show up at the boat berth d1 Tauranga bridge marina. 101 Te awanui drive. Mt Maunganui. There is lots of free parking. You can just leave your bag upstairs by the skipper and he will watch while you swim. Kind regards.
Written 23 June 2016
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