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Dolphin Encounter, the pioneers of dolphin swimming in New Zealand, have developed their tours for those wishing to enhance their understanding of dolphins in their natural environment, a truly unique experience. Our tours have two options, watching (viewing) or swimming. Both these options occur on the same boats, they are not separate tours.

Watching:
The opportunity to go out and watch the dusky dolphins from our boats, gives visitors wonderful views of these spectacular and acrobatic dolphins. As well as this, there is the opportunity to witness any interaction between the dolphins and swimmers, who are also on the same boat.

Swimming:
The dusky dolphins inhabit the coastal waters off Kaikoura all year round, making Kaikoura a unique place in the world where wild dolphins can be encountered every day, weather permitting. It is this fact that sets our operation apart; our success rate of swimming with dolphins is second to none.

Tours have a total duration of approximately three to three and a half hours and a complete guided commentary is given throughout the tour.

On the dolphin tour you will be sometimes lucky enough to see other marine mammals such as orca (killer whales), pilot whales, New Zealand fur seals, and Hector’s dolphins.

A permit system restricts the number of dolphin swimmers allowed in the water. For this reason the tours are heavily in demand over the summer months (November to April). Therefore it is advisable to plan well ahead if you want to book a dolphin swim.

"Swimming with the dolphins was definitely the highlight of my trip, it was just so amazing!"
-Annelies Vredeveldt, Netherlands

"At one point there were at least 8 swimming in and around me and they were just the ones I could count. There must have been at least 80 - 100 in the water, and as the boat is pulling away they are flipping and jumping and showing off all around you. It was the most amazing experience of my life. I was so emotional when I got back on the boat, there may have been a few tears!"
-Chloe

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