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Kaikoura - Dolphin Swim Tour

5.0

295

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Take the opportunity to interact and swim with the incredible dusky dolphins of Kaikoura!

Highlights

Swim with wild dolphins in the ocean!
Enjoy watching these fascinating mammals in their natural habitat
Exhilarating experience not to be missed

Having the highest success rate in New Zealand to both locate AND swim with dolphins, the friendly team at Encounter Kaikoura will provide you with a not to be missed bucket list experience!

Dusky dolphins are one, if not the most interactive and acrobatic species of dolphins in the world and they frequent Kaikoura year-round! Join the team aboard a comfortable vessel for a picturesque tour along the spectacular Kaikoura coastline.

Meet these incredible wild animals in their natural environment, and enjoy their spectacular acrobatics in the open ocean.

Make memories to last a lifetime and book today!

Swimming with the dolphins is an exhilarating and exertive experience and those who book to swim should be relatively physically fit and be confident swimmers in open water. Snorkeling experience is an advantage though not essential as lessons can be provided onboard.

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

Swimmers and watchers join the same tour, and if you would prefer to stay dry and watch these amazing mammals from aboard the boat, please check out the deals on our Watch Tour:

Kaikoura - Dolphin Watch Tour

Adult $230.00

Child $215.00

What's included

Return transfers between the base and harbour
All gear including full body wetsuit, snorkel, mask and fins (extra floatation aids and prescription masks available on request)
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.
Our vessels have ample seating, an onboard toilet and a hot water boat shower. There are also blankets on board should these be required in the colder months. At base there are changing room facilities with hot showers for after the tour.
Please Note: Return times are not guaranteed.
Child Age is 8 - 14 years for swimming and we recommend that children are confident swimmers in open water.
Towels, Go Pros and Go Pro accessories are available for hire.
Please note: If showing as closed - the swim WILL be SOLD OUT. This is a very high demand product. Bookme recommendation is to book well in advance - or book the great deals on DOLPHIN WATCH on bookme.co.nz. 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. Sea conditions on the day need to be ideal for children to participate on this tour. The skipper reserves the right to increase the age limit if they believe the conditions warrant this decision..

Available Bookings from 24 Apr to 7 May 2025

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

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Incredible “Once-in-a-lifetime” experience

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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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5.0

295 reviews

Kaikoura - Dolphin Swim Tour

Showing all 295 authenticated Bookme reviews

JIYEON from South Korea wrote on 29 March 2017

너무너무 황홀했던 경험입니다.

평생 잊지 못할 경험을 하였어요!

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Zoe from Australia wrote on 08 February 2025

Once in a life time experience

I did this tour while backpacking the South Island for two months, and it was one of the most expensive things I did on the whole trip and I don't regret a single dollar. Was absolutely phenomenal swimming with a pod of 200+ wild dolphins in a completely natural environment. The team are incredible, you are well informed before going out on the boat, all the equipment is high quality and the company is very ethical. I cant recommend enough.

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From Kaikoura - Dolphin Swim Tour

Thanks so much for your review - we are delighted you enjoyed your experience with us and we apprecaite you choosing to join us aboard :-)

Dennis Lichtenberg from Germany wrote on 17 October 2023

Amazing Trip

A fantastic trip with lots of playful dolphins who were very curious. A unique experience with very good guides. I would do it again.

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From Kaikoura - Dolphin Swim Tour

Thank you for your review - we are stoked you had a great time aboard with us! :-)

karaf from New Zealand wrote on 20 November 2022

♡♡♡AMAZING♡♡♡

Well worth getting cold for ♡. Totally amazing swimming with these majestic creatures. Thanks to the experienced crew for looking after us and guiding us so well.

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From Kaikoura - Dolphin Swim Tour

Our absolute pleasure! Thanks for joining us aboard! :-)

Rosanne Mosterd from Netherlands wrote on 11 November 2022

Fantastisch

Super leuke ochtend gehad en veel dolfijnen gezien en mee gezwommen. Het personeel is zeer vriendelijk.

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From Kaikoura - Dolphin Swim Tour

Thanks for your review - stoked you enjoyed your morning aboard with us! :-)

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Bookme Help Terms & Conditions Operators

10:00 a.m.Thursday 13 July

Adult

Child

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

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