Is there a dolphin season?
Kaikōura is one of the best places in the world for both locating and swimming with wild dolphins!
Dusky dolphins can be seen In Kaikōura all year round. In the summer months the dolphins spend more time inshore, and in winter it is more usual to find them a bit further offshore.
How long do we spend swimming with the dolphins?
The total time spent swimming with the dolphins will depend on several factors which can vary, including:
- dolphin behaviour
- travel time to the dolphins
- weather and environment
- sea conditions
Generally, if the dolphins are interactive the average swim time is 20-30 minutes.
How close do we actually get to the dolphins?
Quite close, usually about an arm’s length away. The dolphins are smart, and they are extremely good at judging distance in the water and will typically come very close without touching you.
This is not a touch the dolphins experience. We ask that our guests do not attempt to touch the dolphins. The dusky dolphins of Kaikōura are completely wild and our interaction with them is entirely on their terms, respecting them in their natural environment.
how many dolphins do we typically swim with?
Due to the beauty of interacting with wild dolphins, we can never predict what might happen on each of our tours and can never guarantee the number of dolphins we swim with. The pods we encounter vary in size and we enjoy swimming with both small and large pods of dusky dolphins.
