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Dolphin Encounter Swim

Slip into the open ocean while a wild dusky pod decides you're interesting.

Swim with wild dusky dolphins, the ocean's acrobats, off Kaikoura with New Zealand's original dolphin swim operator: 30+ years' experience, purpose-built boats and one of the world's highest success rates.

⭑ 4.8 2,126 Google reviews 📍 New Zealand ⏱ 4 Hours 👥 Small group 🔥 Active

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4.8 from 2,126 Google reviews

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    An established operator with public reviews.

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Overview

Dusky dolphins are the extroverts of the dolphin world, fast, acrobatic and social, usually travelling in big pods. Off Kaikoura, you don't watch them from a distance; you get in the water with them, in the open ocean, on their terms.

Your hosts wrote the manual on this: New Zealand's original dolphin swim operator, with more than 30 years of experience, purpose-built vessels and one of the world's highest encounter success rates. Onboard, the crew layer in marine wildlife and conservation education, so you come out knowing what you just swam with.

Everything runs to safe, humane and environmentally responsible practices, these are wild animals in their natural habitat, never fed or fenced. The boats suit a range of fitness levels, and four hours goes fast when the pod shows up.

Why you'll love it

  1. 1

    Swim with wild dusky dolphins

  2. 2

    Big, acrobatic pods are common

  3. 3

    World-leading encounter success rate

  4. 4

    NZ's original dolphin swim crew

  5. 5

    Wild, humane, never fed or fenced

What's included

✓ What's included

  • Full wetsuit fitting (5mm body suit and jacket), plus hood, mask, snorkel and fins
  • Gloves and booties in winter
  • Briefing and guidance from the crew before you swim
  • Boat trip to find wild dusky dolphins, about 3.5 hours from check-in to return
  • Option to swim or watch from the boat
  • Hot shower after the trip

✕ Not included

  • ✕Hotel pick-up and drop-off
  • ✕Underwater camera or GoPro hire and photos
  • ✕Towel and swimsuit hire if you forget yours

Common questions about this trip

  • What's the cancellation policy?
    Bookings can be changed or cancelled without charge up to 24 hours before departure. Large group and private charter bookings have extended cancellation terms. If the operator cancels for adverse weather or sea conditions, a full refund applies. If dolphins are seen but swimming is not possible, swimmers are refunded back to the spectator rate. If no dolphins or wildlife can be found, a minimum operating charge applies. Wanderlust handles the refund for you, refunds mirror the operator's terms 1:1 (including if the operator cancels) and we chase it on your behalf.

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What travellers say

Reviews from real travellers

Public reviews of the operator who runs this tour on the ground.

The operator's track record

4.8 on Google · 2,126 reviews

Review excerpts below are from Tripadvisor.

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"I was amazed that a dolphin started swimming around me when, after taking a deep breath, I started turning myself a little deeper underwater. The dolphin seemed playfully curious."
g

gewoonbuiten

Tripadvisor review

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"We had 5 different swims with the dolphins who were curious about us and came to play and investigate while we sang to them. Then plenty of time after the swims to go and watch them playing around and take some above-water snaps."
J

JocelynMcG

Tripadvisor review

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"Very knowledgable and accommodating staff. Felt like they were aware and ready at all times to coordinate and help if needed. We were also lucky enough to have dolphins very interested in our swim!"
T

Todd S

Tripadvisor review

Traveller reviews, source shown on each · shown as excerpts.

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