Dolphin Encounter has a number of full time skippers and guides who share a wealth of experience and passion for the marine environment and wildlife here in Kaikoura. These are some of the characters that you may meet during a Dolphin Encounter:

 

Pete is a Kaikoura local who has fished around Kaikoura, Australia and the Chatham Islands for 25 years. Pete can be easily confused with identical twin brother Ian who is one of the Encounter Kaikoura partners.

With his love of the sea, Pete spends his free time scuba diving, fishing and enjoying the isolation of the Marlborough Sounds and the Clarence Reserve.

 

 

 

Jess is a New Zealander from Timaru and has a Diploma in Outdoor Recreation Leadership. Jess started out as a guide in 2008 and came to us with previous guiding experience with Hector’s dolphins at Akaroa.  

Jess enjoys walking her Jack Russell puppy called “Moo” along the beach and takes time out to explore the local area on camping trips.

 

 

 

Malaina is originally from Nelson and has been enjoying her work at Dolphin Encounter since she started in 2007. Mal is a senior guide as well as a skipper on the dolphin encounter vessels.

Mal is a real water baby and has many years experience working as a PADI dive instructor at the local dive centre in Kaikoura. On her days off she enjoys submersing herself in the Pacific Ocean, or try her luck fishing from the beach.

 

 

 

Tracy started at Dolphin Encounter back in 2005. She has a degree in Environmental Science and has worked on research projects around the world including the Falkland Islands, Borneo and Hong Kong.  

During her free time she likes the challenges of exploring the outdoors with weekends away spent climbing mountains and tramping. Tracy also enjoys travelling and has hitch-hiked through the Amazon with Antarctica standing out as her favorite place.

 

 

 

Cullen knows the waters around Kaikoura extremely  well, has had experience skippering boats for 23 years with a background in commercial fishing as well as recreational diving trips in Kaikoura and in the Chatham Islands.

Cully has been with Dolphin Encounter since 2009 and when he not at work he is a dedicated family man spending lots of time with his family.

 

 

 

Ed grew up in Kaikoura and started out at with us in 2009. He has a degree in Marine and Environmental studies and is also a qualified PADI dive instructor.

Self professed naturalist on his weekends he enjoys getting back out on the water taking photos of wildlife snorkeling playing a bit of golf and tennis. He also likes keeping up with the sporting world with interests in rugby, cricket and league.

 

 

 

Chantal is yet another Kaikoura local who joined the team in 2011. Chantal came to us straight out of school and brings with her a lot of enthusiasm and energy.

 She enjoys the outdoors being a keen hunter and fisherwoman. Also an avid sports fan she can often been seen on the local netball court and running around the boys on touch rugby field.