We swam with the dolphins and it was the most amazing experience on our month long New Zealand vacation. The instructions before we went out were very thorough and the staff on the boat were super helpful, giving extra instructions on how to snorkel.
The boat stopped a few times and then you jumped into the water, there were hundreds of dolphins and it was just amazing swimming with them.
If you get seasick bring some medication since it can get quite rough on the way out
Brilliant (but take your own mask / goggles ! )
We had a sensational time on the swimming with Dolphins encounter, it may have been expensive but it was worth every penny. Our swims were better than we could possibly have imagined, though I accept we were very lucky with the weather, calm sea and sunny. The highlight, which happened 3 or 4 times for me, was spinning round with a wild dolphin swimming round me (literally a few yards away) trying to swim round faster than I could spin ! Absolutely AMAZING (see pic).
There were hundreds of dolphins in the pod swimming and jumping around (see pics), some show offs were jumping and spinning at the same time !
As a bonus, on the way back to the quay, the boat diverted out to sea as Orcas had been reported and we saw two (see pic).
The only fly in the ointment was the snorkelling gear. I had insisted I did not want it (nor the flippers) and, fortunately, I was not forced to wear it, but my wife and 10 year old son did use it (at first) and did not like it at all, nor did some of the other swimmers as it leaked quite badly. This is to be expected as it is not easy to get a random mask or goggles to perfectly fit anyone. By the third swim (we got five as the boat followed the pod round the bay) my wife and child asked to just use their swimming goggles which we had fortunately bought with us, both said their experience was transformed for the better by that (see pic). I would STRONGLY recommend every swimmer take their own mask and/or just swimming goggles and wear it if they have problems with the supplied snorkelling gear, in fact I think the company running the trips should also make that suggestion in their blurb.
Personally I'd have rather not had to wear the wetsuit as I found it restrictive and since the sea temp was 17 degrees so it wasn't really needed anyway.
Overall ? Absolutely unbelievably fantastic.....
We were observing from the boat, rather than swimming with the dolphins - which was brilliant! Our skipper, Cully, was great company, with local knowledge on tap. Our trip found a pod of about 600 dolphins! Everywhere you looked, dolphins were swimming and playing. Loved it, highly recommended!
Top location for swimming with dolphins! Staff were informative and friendly, got fitted into wetsuits and got our gear quickly. Short bus ride to the boat and another 20-30 minutes to where the dolphins are. Watching the sunrise on the boat is beautiful! Seeing the dolphins do their thing in their natural habitat is as amazing too. Must book in advance during summer months. Go for 530am if you can. Thank you!
Drop what you are doing and sign up for the dolphin swim... it will change your life... seriously! I travel the world an d often seek out animals in my travels, but this experience was definitely a top 5. I was so nervous about finding the dolphins since saw a total of zero on the kayak tour I did the day before. When we saw them...so magical. Literally hundreds. And the whole process was so cool and seamless. We got in on the horn from the back and immediately were surrounded by dolphins. And they were so friendly and beautiful. Horn again, we swim back, but stay on edge, ready for next swim. I think we went in 5 times and each one was special and different. I would go every day if I could. So lucky to get off waitlist...sign up now!
One of the best experience you are going to have in NZ! Pictures and videos can’t really transparent the full experience! You are literally swim with so many dolphins! I highly recommend to book in advance and I’m sure it a great experience in any weather!
Friendly and helpful staff. Good information beforehand to help prepare. Focus on sustainability and respect for environment. Great at finding dolphins. Swam 3 times, had eye contact with multiple dolphins. Provide time after swim for the swimmers to take pictures as well. Staff pointed out sights while enroute to the dolphins, so we also got to see some albatross and a seal. Definitely recommend. Thank you so much for fulfilling a lifegoal!
What an amazing experience swimming with dolphins! We were lucky enough to swim with 3 different species of dolphins on our trip - the dusky, Hector's, and common dolphins. There were hundreds of dolphins swimming around us, and we got to swim with them for much longer than we expected (and 4 times)! The boat moves around to follow the dolphins and get you into the thick of it. All the equipment was great and lets you get up close and personal without any issue.
The crew are really knowledgeable and friendly, our guide, Tracy, was fantastic at making sure everyone was comfortable and took extra time to teach my partner how to snorkel which was much appreciated.
As soon as we finished we were wanting to sign up and do it again! Book onto this asap if you are planning on visiting Kaikōura, you won't regret it!
Amazing experience that you won’t forget!!!
And the staff is just amazing! I almost didn’t catch my bus and they organized a car for me to actually get my bus. I have never experienced something like that before.
Amazing tour. Very professional, the team cared a lot about our safety and the equipment for the snorkling was in a very good condition. Saw plenty of dolphins, breathtaking experience. The guides on the boat were clearly very passionated about their job and it was lovely to feel that good vibe (Thanks a lot Tracy!)
