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Kaikoura - Dolphin Encounter (Watch Option)

4.9

216

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Get up close and personal to Kaikoura's incredible resident dusky dolphins in their stunning natural environment!

Highlights

Discover wild dusky dolphins in their natural element!
Learn about and enhance your understanding of dolphins
Highest success rate in NZ for locating and viewing dolphins
Amazing photo opportunities from the spacious vessel
A magical experience of a lifetime!

Encounter Kaikoura is a friendly and enthusiastic business dedicated to providing our customers with a magical experience of a lifetime!

We operate picturesque tours along the spectacular Kaikoura coastline and give you the option to swim (please see other booking option)* and interact with wild dusky dolphins or watch their playful acrobatics in the open ocean from the comfort of our boat.

Dolphin Encounter®, pioneered dolphin encounter tours in Kaikoura New Zealand in 1989/90 and have developed their tours for those wishing to enhance their understanding of dolphins in their natural environment, providing a truly unique experience!

Tours scheduled daily: We close just one day each year - Christmas Day!

Please note this booking option is for watching only, and although you will be on the same boat as swimmers you will not have the option to swim. If you would like to swim with the dolphins, please check out our swim deals: Kaikoura - Dolphin Swim Tour

Adult $115.00

Child $75.00 (3-14 years)

What's included

Return transfers between the base and harbour
Blankets on-board (for colder months)
Complimentary information pack on return from the tour

Duration

Approximately 3.5 hours (approx 2.5 on the water)

Location

Meeting Location: Encounter Kaikoura at 96 Esplanade

Notes

Check in: Please call the team to reconfirm your booking and tour operation the day prior and to receive your check in time for the following day. Please report to 96 Esplanade, Kaikoura on the day.
Please Note: Return times are not guaranteed.
Child Age is 5 - 14 years. Sea conditions on the day need to be ideal for children to participate on this tour. Children under 5 years are not permitted on this tour. The skipper reserves the right to increase the age limit on the day if they believe the conditions warrant this decision.
Please note: Our tours operate in the open ocean and we are subject to sea conditions and weather on the day of the tour. All tours are also subject to minimum numbers to operate.
Encounter Kaikoura vessels have ample seating and an onboard toilet. There are also blankets on board should these be required in the colder months.

Available Bookings from 22 Dec to 4 Jan 2025

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Change Dates

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Authenticated Reviews & Photos All of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

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4.9

216 reviews

Kaikoura - Dolphin Encounter (Watch Option)

Showing all 216 authenticated Bookme reviews

Thomas from France wrote on 23 February 2020

Super!

Super et très professionnel

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Valerie from France wrote on 24 April 2017

Magique!

On a vu une centaine de dauphins, le staff était extrêmement agréable et on a même eu droit à des biscuits avec boisson chaude (chocolat ou chicken soup). Une matinée formidable, à ne pas manquer!

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Guillaume from France wrote on 11 April 2017

Tres bien

Le personnel fait le maximum pour trouver les dauphins et en faire profiter les clients.

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Gautier from France wrote on 17 February 2016

expérience unique et inoubliable

Superbe excursion en mer, avec un groupe de 300 dauphins environ, je recommande cette activité. toutefois, la vidéo initiale d'une heure explicant les règles de sécurité à adopter durant la plongée avec les dauphins n'est pas nécessaire pour ceux qui ne font qu'observer les dauphins depuis le bateau. Peut être faut il revoir les heures d'arrivée.

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sandie from New Zealand wrote on 11 June 2022

Incredible

Wow! What an amazing experience. This is something everyone needs to experience. Truly magical. Kate was amazing as were all looking after us on board. My grandchildren loved their adventure ❤️

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From Kaikoura - Dolphin Encounter (Watch Option)

What a lovely photo! We love inspiring future conservationists! Delighted you and your grandkids had a great time :-)

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Bookme Help Terms & Conditions Operators

10:00 a.m.Thursday 13 July

Adult

Child ^* 3-14 years

^*This option must be made together with another price type.

When you see the Qualmark logo, your activity of choice is endorsed by New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation and backed by leaders in the industry. It's your trusted guide to iconic activities and experiences that are awarded for their exceptionally high level of quality, safety and sustainability.

Qualmark Gold

This award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand. It denotes exceptional customer experiences at the heart of everything the company does. This business is leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.

Qualmark Silver

This award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure the business's focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create genuine, constantly evolving and sustainable tourism experiences.

Qualmark Bronze

The Qualmark Bronze award recognizes a business that operates with a high level of professionalism, is mindful of its environmental impact, and is dedicated to putting customers first.