Dolphin Seafaris Tauranga is the premier dolphin watch & Swim experience in the Bay of Plenty, North Island, New Zealand.
Our specialist professional crew of Marine Biologists and divemasters will show you the very best totally natural encounters with wild dolphins, Orca and whales. Watching & Swimming with dolphins. All gear, wetsuits etc supplied. Experience crystal clear pacific waters, abundance of marine life on a fast, comfortable 50ft Power Catamaran has large viewing platforms on two levels for better photography, comfortable seating inside and out with all facilities including underwater color cameras, hydrophones, Our exclusive side swimbars right where dolphins frolic give immediate in water safe access for swimmers. We specialize in free swimming and close encounters. See our awesome photo gallery and video's on our website. Trips depart daily. Main dolphin season: November to June with huge pods possible of 100 to 1000 common dolphins & smaller pods of bottlenose dolphins.
We have amazing close encounters with different Orca pods from November to March as well as an abundance of Dolphins, Fur seals, Many Seabirds including 6 species Albatross, fish all in warm clear water for better visibility.
We are fully recommended and endorsed by New Zealand Tourism, 'Qualmark' and Tourism Bay of Plenty. Breakfast and unlimited hot drinks all included during the tours.
Months
January • February • March • April • May • June • October • November • December
Duration
Half-day (3-6 hours)
Vessel types
Large boat (50+ passengers)
Times and prices
Trips depart daily in season at 08.00hrs Tauranga Bridge Marina and from Salisbury Wharf, Mt Maunganui at 08.15hrs
Price: $130 adults inclusive everything. Children 5-12yrs $85
About our skippers and naturalist guides
Our skippers and guides are all Marine Biologists, dive masters or divemaster instructors with many years experience working with marine mammals.
Our skippers have over 30 years experience, one is a University Marine studies tutor, it does not come any better than them.
Facilities
Access to wheelhouse • Carbon neutral • Deck with 360?vision • Disabled access • Hands-on materials (bones, shells etc) • Naturalist guide(s) as well as skipper • On board hydrophone • On board video • Onboard research • PA system • Posters / displays / maps • Public participation in research • Reading material available • Restrooms / toilets on board • Scenic backdrop to encounters • Snacks / drinks • Support conservation • Swim / snorkel included • Use a code of conduct
We frequently
Listen to whales and dolphins • See a whale's tail • See leaping dolphins • See leaping whales • Swim with them in the wild • Watch whales and dolphins
Baleen Whales
Antarctic Minke Whale • Blue Whale • Bryde's Whale • Fin Whale • Humpback Whale • Minke Whale • Pygmy Right Whale • Sei Whale • Southern Right Whale
Toothed Whales
False Killer Whale • Killer Whale / Orca • Long-finned Pilot Whale • Pygmy Sperm Whale
Ocean Dolphins
Bottlenose Dolphin • Long-beaked Common Dolphin
Other wildlife and points of interest
Common Dolphins in huge numbers with pod sizes vary daily from 100 to superpodsover 1000.
Bottlenose dolphins in small pods from 8-20
Orca Killer whales in pods from 3-20
Whales seen mainly during migration seasons in May/June and October/November
Offshore islands, marine reserves, reefs