Start your day with a convenient morning pickup from your Christchurch hotel and board a comfortable, air-conditioned coach for a scenic 2-hour drive north to the charming coastal town of Kaikoura. The South Pacific Ocean along the Kaikoura coast is teeming with a stunning variety of vibrant marine life. Sperm whales, Dusky dolphins, seal colonies, and flocks of albatross are drawn to these nutrient-rich waters and abundant food supply year-round, making it a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts!

Upon arrival in Kaikoura, enjoy an early lunch (at your own expense) at the Craypot Café and Bar or take the opportunity to explore the picturesque town at your own pace. Kaikoura is a lively coastal community offering a wide array of shops, bars, and other amenities, all set against a vibrant seaside backdrop.

When it’s time for your dolphin swim adventure, follow your guide to the cruise base in town, don your warm wetsuit, and listen to an informative briefing about the diverse marine wildlife that inhabits Kaikoura. Then, transfer to your bus for a short ride to the harbor, board your boat, and set sail into the deep ocean.

As your captain discusses the current conditions on the water, breathe in the refreshing sea air and watch the horizon for the dolphins’ playful leaps and splashes. Feel free to ask the onboard team about the effective techniques used to engage the dolphins’ natural curiosity. Then, with the engine off, put on your mask, snorkel, and flippers, and dive into the ocean.

Whether you dive deep or float on the surface, swimming with the friendly and inquisitive Dusky dolphins in their natural environment is an unforgettable experience. Admire their grace in the water as they swim energetically around you and relish the opportunity to share the waves with these intelligent, elegant, and curious creatures.

After your time with the dolphins concludes, climb back aboard your boat for the short trip back to shore. At around 3:30 pm, depart Kaikoura for the return journey to your Christchurch hotel, where your tour will conclude.

Points of Interest

• Leisure Tours

• Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway

• Fur seal colony viewing
• Local guide
• Swim with Dolphins
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Hotel pickup and drop off
• Use of snorkel equipment including wet suit

• Lunch

Experience the awe-inspiring marine life in the South Pacific Ocean on this 12-hour dolphin-swimming journey in Kaikoura, departing from Christchurch. Traverse the undulating landscapes of North Canterbury towards the ruggedly beautiful shoreline of Kaikoura, an ideal spot for witnessing the dolphins, seals, and avifauna of New Zealand in their undisturbed habitat. Donned in a snug wetsuit, board your vessel and learn from your guide about various techniques to stimulate interaction with these elegant and inquisitive mammals. Plunge into the deep blue, snorkel over the surf, and relish the delight of cohabiting with dolphins in their natural abode.

• Children must be aged 8 years and over to swim with Dolphins.
• Customers must declare any pre-existing medical conditions. A basic level of fitness is required. Customers will be floating/swimming in the open ocean and will be required to swim to and from the boat - distances up to 50 meters (150 feet) at a time. Swimming aids/floaties are not permitted.
• Once the tour has commenced only the unused portion of the tour will be refunded should the Dolphin boats not sail. If due to Dolphin sightings or weather conditions the boat offers a partial refund, this refund will be passed on to our customers
• Children under 3 years of age are not permitted on the Dolphin Boats

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.