Dolphin Encounter | Dolphin Watching

Dolphin Encounter takes you to swim with the resident Dusky dolphins of Kaikoura in their natural environment, or watch their acrobatic displays from the comfort of our boat.

Located on the east coast of the South Island, Kaikoura is one of the most picturesque places in New Zealand. It is famous for the spectacular marine life that inhabits the coastline including whales, dolphins, albatross, penguins, fur seals and orca.  

We specialise in providing an exhilarating experience of swimming or watching wild dusky dolphins in their natural environment and other marine life off the Kaikoura coast since 1989.  

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 and our success rate of swimming with dolphins is the best in New Zealand!  

Watching: The opportunity to go out & watch the dusky dolphins from our boats gives visitors wonderful views of these spectacular & acrobatic dolphins.

Months

January • February • March • April • May • June • July • August • September • October • November • December

Duration

Short (1-3 hours) • Half-day (3-6 hours)

Vessel types

Small boat (0-50 passengers)

Times and prices

Summer Season - November to April Tours operate three times per day, weather permitting, at 5.30am, 8.30am and 12.30pm.

Winter Season - May to October Tours operate two times per day, weather permitting, at 8.30am and 12.30pm.

***ENCOUNTER KAIKOURA WILL BE CLOSED ALL DAY ON 25TH DECEMBER.

About our skippers and naturalist guides

Dolphin Encounter has a number of full time skippers and guides who share a wealth of experience and passion for the marine environment and wildlife here in Kaikoura.

Facilities

Access to wheelhouse • Naturalist guide(s) as well as skipper • Onboard research • PA system • Posters / displays / maps • Public participation in research • Restrooms / toilets on board • Scenic backdrop to encounters • Snacks / drinks • Support conservation • Swim / snorkel included • Use a code of conduct

We frequently

See leaping dolphins • Swim with them in the wild • Watch dolphins only

Toothed Whales

Killer Whale / Orca • Long-finned Pilot Whale

Ocean Dolphins

Dusky Dolphin • Hector's Dolphin • Short-beaked Common Dolphin

Other wildlife and points of interest

On our dolphin tours you are sometimes lucky enough to see other marine mammals such as orca (killer whales), pilot whales, Common dolphins, New Zealand fur seals, and Hector’s dolphins.

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