Dolphin Encounter, Kaikoura

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 pretty well every day, weather permitting.

The Dolphin Encounter tours have two options, watching (viewing) or swimming, both these options occur on the same boats. The boats are catamarans which take around 15 swimmers and 20 spectators. On board facilities include toilets and a deck shower .

This is an open ocean experience and in order to swim with the dolphins you should be confident in the open ocean and it is an advantage to have had previous snorkelling experience.

Tours leave from the Dolphin Encounter Office on Kaikoura’s main Esplanade , right next to the White Morph Inn at the following times:

Summer (Nov-April): 5:30am 8:30am 12.30pm
Winter (May-October): 8:30am 12:30pm

There is also an excellent café with outdoor seating located next to the booking office