Traveller Overview

5.0 1,203 reviews

Excellent92%
Very good5%
Average1%
Poor1%
Terrible1%

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“wild dolphins”(78 reviews)

“swim with the dolphins”(58 reviews)

“hot chocolate”(58 reviews)

About

Swim with the dolphins in their natural environment or watch their acrobatic displays form the comfort of the boat.

Closes in 16 min

Hours Today: 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM

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Suggested duration: More than 3 hours

Contact

96 Esplanade, Kaikoura 7300, New Zealand

Website

+64 3-319 6777

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Reviews (1,203)

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1 - 10 of 1,038 reviews

D-zengin

Kent

92

Reviewed yesterday via mobile

Amazing

Such an amazing experience. Worth every minute and penny. Despite the weather being pretty poor the morning we went out, we still saw plenty of dolphins. (So don’t let the weather put you off) Such a great experience being able to swim with the beautiful...More

Date of experience: December 2018

1 Thank D-zengin

everlook_photography

Adelaide, Australia

25

Reviewed yesterday

Swimming with Dusky Dolphins in Kaikoura

The small town of Kaikoura on New Zealand's South Island has some of the most amazing marine animal encounters. We have been on two Dolphin Encounters - one where I swam with them, and one where we took the children to watch from the boat....More

Date of experience: October 2018

2 Thank everlook_photography

B9662OJpaulw

Kaikoura, New Zealand

174

Reviewed 2 days ago via mobile

Absolutely wonderful

We went as spectators - quite content to watch from the boat rather than swimming with the dolphins. I am sure the swimmers had a great experience but so did we watching all of the activity from the comfort of the boat. Everything about this...More

Date of experience: December 2018

1 Thank B9662OJpaulw

MaddyHK88

Exeter, United Kingdom

2011

Reviewed 3 days ago via mobile

Amazing dolphin swim!

Wow what an experience!! We went on the 05:30 tour and it was a cold morning. Really good quality wetsuits and hood which help. We saw loads of dolphins from the boat, following our boat and jumping out of the water. When we went in...More

Date of experience: December 2018

1 Thank MaddyHK88

911pw

Napier, New Zealand

121

Reviewed 6 days ago via mobile

An amazing experience you will never forget

A very professional setup with helpful caring staff. Swimming with dolphins in the wild is unforgettable and magical. They are not fed, tamed or enticed and you share their environment on their terms. Amazing!

Date of experience: December 2018

1 Thank 911pw

queky76

Singapore, Singapore

81

Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile

Great Service!

I went on the tour with my husband, 2 teenagers, a 7 year old and my mil. My hubby and my 2 older boys swam with the dolphins while the rest of us did the dolphin watching. My 13 year old son was very cold...More

Date of experience: December 2018

1 Thank queky76

Navigator25564548458

41

Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile

Magical- even in cold weather

We booked our dolphin swim quite far in advance and on the morning of our 5:00am swim it was only 2 degrees. I was worried it wouldnt be enjoyable in this weather... but dont be scared off by cold temps! Initially getting in the water...More

Date of experience: November 2018

1 Thank Navigator25564548458

barbaran21

13817

Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile

Probably the best thing I've ever done in my life :)

Great service, helpful staff, wonderfull experience - swimming with dolphins. Discounts available e.g. if you have YHA/ISIC card.

Date of experience: November 2018

Thank barbaran21

T6208SWmattd

Manchester, United Kingdom

4413

Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile

Swim in the wild

This was an amazing experience and trip. It’s not stage managed at all it’s wild Dolphins out in the Ocean who want to be your friend, no food or anything is chucked in the boat just searches for them and when you see them you...More

Date of experience: November 2018

Thank T6208SWmattd

NilsLP

51

Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile

Highlight of our Trip

We had a fantastic time - we got to swim 5 times on the boat with a huge pod of dolphins in clear seas. One of the highlights of NZ and simply a must do. This was amazing

Date of experience: November 2018

Thank NilsLP

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Questions & Answers

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See all 27 questions

GinaDig

We are off to Kaikoura in October. Is it worth doing both the Whale Watching tour & the Dolphin Encounter? We want to swim with the dolphins but can you can see whales too...or are each experiences unique & only do what they say they do? Thanks

13 September 2018|

AnswerShow all 2 answers

We saw some whales from the dolphin boat but I don’t know if that Halle a every time. The dolphin swim is worth it

GinaDig

We are off to Kaikoura in October. Is it worth doing both the Whale Watching tour & the Dolphin Encounter? We want to swim with the dolphins but can you can see whales too...or are each experiences unique & only do what they say they do? Thanks

13 September 2018|

Answer

Hi there, thanks for your enquiry; great to hear that you are planning a visit! We are not permitted to view whales on our tour so to swim with dolphins and view whales you would need to do our tour and a trip with Whale... More

Melissa R

we are planning a trip in April of this year- we are thinking of doing the dolphin encounter on the 14th/15th - are we likely to see them in April? Is that a busy time - should we book it

13 January 2018|

AnswerShow all 3 answers

Hi Melissa Not sure how we missed your question sorry! The answers you have received are spot on - book as far ahead as you are able! :-) April is quite a busy time of year and tours are often waitlisting. Also that... More