Kaikoura is New Zealand’s leading location for marine wildlife and has been rated as the best place in the world to swim with dolphins.

Swimming with the Dolphins is often described as a life changing experience! Get alongside these beautiful, gentle creatures in their natural habitat and watch them perform their underwater acrobatics! With just 16 swimmers per tour you wont feel rushed or pressured, and can go at your own pace & enjoy an intimate dolphin swimming experience without the crowds!

Encounter Kaikoura have a modern well maintained fleet of smaller boats which, unlike most other operators both locally and globally, offer a close-to-the-water experience for our customers.

All swimmers are fitted with a good quality wetsuit prior to departure which comprises a full 5mm body one piece overall and a 5mm jacket.  Also provided are a hood, mask snorkel and fins.

Allow 3.5 hours for the full experience with time on the sea approximately 2.5 hours.

Dolphins can be seen year round in Kaikoura so this experience operates year round.