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Watching Kaikoura's dusky dolphins has a uniqueness all of its own.
The opportunity to join the tour as a watcher provides spectacular viewing of these acrobatic and energised dolphins. Also witnessing the interaction between swimmers and dolphins is a fascinating experience and could quite accurately be described as the most incredible dolphin show you are likely to see.
Watchers and swimmers travel on the same boat so if someone in your group prefers to watch rather than swim, this is not a problem as all guest will travel together.
The boats are specifically built with optimum viewing in mind and have upstairs decks as well as walk around bows to enable you to capture the perfect images.
The acrobatic displays of the Dusky dolphins will captivate your heart and put a smile on your face.
How to get the Most from your Dolphin Watching Experience
If you have decided that swimming is not for you, watching the dolphins and the people swimming with them has an appeal all of its own.
The displays of acrobatic behaviour, the leaps and somersaults and the peculiar repetitive displays of jumps and tail slapping, provide the most incredible oceanic dolphin show on earth. Not to mention the strange mix of singing and “dolphin-like” sounds that the swimmers are encouraged to make to attract the dolphins’ attention, is hilarious to see. The images you can capture by staying on board and taking in the entertainment all around you is something delightfully unique and unlike anything you will have seen before!
Learn MoreWhat do others say about their encounter?
""Mind-blowing.""
""Totally unforgettable.""
""Bestest boat experience ever.""
""The highlight of our whole trip to New Zealand.""
When you encouter the dolphins, you leave transformed. Share the experience.
Gallery
Photos and videos from previous tours!
Dolphin Conservation
Protect our very special environment.
Fantastic Local Fare
Coffee and dining at our café, right on the waterfront
Guarantee
Kaikoura is renowned for an abundance of wildlife and we do have a very high success rate of locating the dusky dolphins. If for some reason we are not successful in locating the dolphins (due to such things as deteriorating weather conditions) you will receive a refund. All our tours are subject to a minimum operational cost.
Duration
The Dolphin Encounter tours are approximately 3.5 hours duration and the time spent on the ocean will be approximately 2.5 hours.The length of time spent swimming with the dolphins can be up to 30 minutes but this depends on the travel time to the dolphins, the sea conditions of the day and the dolphin behaviour at the time of the tour.
Tours operate daily subject to minimum numbers being met
MAY-SEPTEMBER: 10.00am
OCTOBER/EARLY NOVEMBER: 8.30am
MID NOVEMBER-APRIL: 8.30am & 12.30pm
**Please note our popular high season 5.30am departure is not currently scheduled for Summer 2021/22 due to reduced demand. We look forward to reinstating this in the future!**
We look forward to welcoming you aboard!
Dolphin Encounter Swim
$220.00*
Adult
15 years and upwards
$205.00*
Child
8 years to 14 years inclusive
Dolphin Encounter Watch
$110.00*
Adult
15 years and upwards
$70.00*
Child
3 years to 14 years inclusive (Note: Ages are subject to sea conditions of the day and restrictions can apply)
* (Please note this pricing is valid to 30 September 2023)
Oct & early Nov Dolphin Encounter Tours operate daily at 8.30am.
Mid Nov-Apr Dolphin Encounter Tours operate daily at 8.30am and 12.30pm.
In winter (May-Sept) tours will be scheduled once daily at 10.00am
Find information and tips on how to prepare for your tour.
Caring for Our Natural Environment
We are privileged to have the abundance of marine life here in Kaikoura and we don’t take this for granted. In 2009 we established the Encounter Foundation specifically to support organizations and groups that are actively working on projects that result in improving the health of the natural environment through conservation, education and research.
We donate a portion of each customer fare to the Encounter Foundation to support worthy projects which make an impact on ensuring our environment is preserved and treasured for future generations.
Thank you for enabling us to do this – your support of our business is making a difference in a very positive way.
