Dolphin Encounter Kaikōura
Kaikoura, Christchurch
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Your marine adventure awaits, come and explore it all with us.
Kaikōura's Dusky Dolphins
Social. Acrobatic. Delightful. You'll remember these show stoppers forever!
Swimming with Dolphins
Kaikōura is one of the best places in the world to encounter dolphins in their natural environment. It's just you, the open ocean... and Kaikōura's wild Dusky Dolphins. Renowned for their playful personalities, incredible intelligence, and spectacular acrobatic displays, dusky dolphins are considered one of the most interactive dolphin species in the world.
Guided by experienced professionals, you'll snorkel in the clear coastal waters as curious dolphins choose to approach and interact naturally around you, creating unforgettable up-close encounters. Every tour is conducted with a strong commitment to responsible wildlife practices, allowing the dolphins to remain completely wild while ensuring their wellbeing is always the priority.
With one of the highest dolphin encounter success rates in the world, breathtaking coastal scenery, and the opportunity to witness these remarkable marine mammals in their natural habitat, this truly is a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list experience that will leave you with memories to treasure forever.
Dolphin Watching
If you prefer to stay dry, watching the dolphins and the people swimming with them has an appeal all of it's own. The curious Dusky Dolphins are often as interested in the boat and those swimming as we are in them!
Our purpose built vessels allow ample space to take in the spectacle and exceptional opportunity to observe Kaikōura's famous dusky dolphins as they leap, spin, surf the waves and interact naturally in their ocean habitat. Their incredible acrobatic displays make for an unforgettable experience and provide fantastic opportunities for photography.
It is not unusual to see large numbers of dolphins; their antics above and below the water create one of the best wildlife shows you can see anywhere! Watchers travel on the same vessel as swimmers, making it an ideal option for families and groups where some guests prefer to stay onboard while others choose to swim.
Visitors may also encounter New Zealand fur seals, a variety of seabirds, and other marine wildlife during their journey.
Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura is New Zealand’s first company to offer swimming with dolphins. Since then, we’ve built up an unmatchable level of experience, knowledge and insight about dolphins, and the best ways to encounter them in safe, humane and environmentally-friendly ways (not to mention exciting and joyful!).
We’re proud to have introduced many thousands of visitors to the uniqueness of our local environment, and the abundant and diverse marine life that inhabits this very special piece of New Zealand.water create one of the best wildlife shows you can see anywhere!
Social. Acrobatic. Delightful. You'll remember these show stoppers forever!
Swimming with Dolphins
Kaikōura is one of the best places in the world to encounter dolphins in their natural environment. It's just you, the open ocean... and Kaikōura's wild Dusky Dolphins. Renowned for their playful personalities, incredible intelligence, and spectacular acrobatic displays, dusky dolphins are considered one of the most interactive dolphin species in the world.
Guided by experienced professionals, you'll snorkel in the clear coastal waters as curious dolphins choose to approach and interact naturally around you, creating unforgettable up-close encounters. Every tour is conducted with a strong commitment to responsible wildlife practices, allowing the dolphins to remain completely wild while ensuring their wellbeing is always the priority.
With one of the highest dolphin encounter success rates in the world, breathtaking coastal scenery, and the opportunity to witness these remarkable marine mammals in their natural habitat, this truly is a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list experience that will leave you with memories to treasure forever.
Dolphin Watching
If you prefer to stay dry, watching the dolphins and the people swimming with them has an appeal all of it's own. The curious Dusky Dolphins are often as interested in the boat and those swimming as we are in them!
Our purpose built vessels allow ample space to take in the spectacle and exceptional opportunity to observe Kaikōura's famous dusky dolphins as they leap, spin, surf the waves and interact naturally in their ocean habitat. Their incredible acrobatic displays make for an unforgettable experience and provide fantastic opportunities for photography.
It is not unusual to see large numbers of dolphins; their antics above and below the water create one of the best wildlife shows you can see anywhere! Watchers travel on the same vessel as swimmers, making it an ideal option for families and groups where some guests prefer to stay onboard while others choose to swim.
Visitors may also encounter New Zealand fur seals, a variety of seabirds, and other marine wildlife during their journey.
Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura is New Zealand’s first company to offer swimming with dolphins. Since then, we’ve built up an unmatchable level of experience, knowledge and insight about dolphins, and the best ways to encounter them in safe, humane and environmentally-friendly ways (not to mention exciting and joyful!).
We’re proud to have introduced many thousands of visitors to the uniqueness of our local environment, and the abundant and diverse marine life that inhabits this very special piece of New Zealand.water create one of the best wildlife shows you can see anywhere!
Frequently Asked Questions
Dolphin Encounter tours take approximately four hours from check-in to returning to the booking office, with around 2.5 hours spent on the water, depending on the location of the dolphins. As the tours operate in a natural environment with wild animals, tour durations are subject to wildlife sightings and sea conditions on the day. Visitors are encouraged to allow plenty of time for their experience, particularly if they have onward travel plans using public transport. Tour durations may vary by up to an hour, so return times cannot be guaranteed.
Black Cat Cruises enjoys a high success rate across all departures. While dolphin sightings are consistently excellent throughout the day, morning departures are generally recommended as sea conditions are often calmer and dolphins tend to be more active earlier in the day. The number of dolphins encountered does not typically vary between departure times.
All passengers should bring warm clothing and sensible footwear and be prepared for all weather conditions! A jacket and a hat, plus sunscreen is a good idea, whether you are swimming or watching. All swimmers should bring their own swimwear to wear under the wetsuit we provide.
All swimmers are fitted with a good quality wetsuit at our base, which comprises of a full 5mm body one piece overall and a 5mm jacket. Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura also provide a hood, mask, snorkel and fins. In the winter months, gloves and booties are also provided.
Swimmers should bring swimwear, towels, and a large bag to carry your clothing and snorkelling gear on board the boat. Towels can be hired for a small fee plus a bond from the front desk. If you have forgotten to bring your swimsuit, we have a limited number of swimsuits available for hire, so please enquire at the front desk. All passengers can bring phones, cameras and GoPros. Remember this is at your own risk; you are out on the open ocean and there is a risk of sea spray getting on your devices. We have GoPro cameras available for hire, and we recommend reserving one in advance as they are in high demand. Please note that there is not a photographer on board. Please also bring sea sickness medication with you if you are prone to motion sickness. Sea Legs (medication) and ginger tablets are available at the front desk. Refreshments are not available to purchase on the boat. We have an onsite Café at base that does great breakfast and lunch to eat in or takeaway. You are welcome to bring your own water and snacks with you on board.
You are welcome to bring your own gear. You can also mix and match with the gear we provide, e.g. bring your own mask, snorkel and fins whilst using our wetsuit, jacket and hood. Please note that full face snorkel masks are not permitted on our tours for safety reasons.
Contact lenses can be worn with masks, but glasses cannot. Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura have a range of prescription masks (corrective lenses) available for those who are near sighted. The prescriptions range from -2.00 to -8.00.
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, and sea conditions. Generally, if the dolphins are interactive the average swim time is 20-30 minutes.
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.
