Swimming with Dusky Dolphins
Join a dolphin swim tour from Kaikōura to snorkel with pods of hundreds of dusky dolphins — one of the world's most acrobatic dolphin species, found year-round in Kaikōura's nutrient-rich waters.
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Encounter Kaikōura Departure
Encounter Kaikōura operates the dolphin swim — wetsuits, masks, and snorkels are provided; the company pioneered dolphin swimming tourism in New Zealand in the 1990s.
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Dolphin Pod Location
Dusky dolphins travel in pods of 20 to 500 animals off Kaikōura — the crew uses years of local knowledge to intercept pods and position swimmers in the dolphins' path.
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In-Water Dolphin Encounter
Swimmers enter the water ahead of the pod — dolphins approach out of curiosity, performing spirals and barrel rolls around snorkellers who mimic their movements to encourage interaction.
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Aerial Display Viewing
Between snorkelling sessions, dolphins often leap and somersault around the boat — dusky dolphins are among the most aerial cetaceans, routinely performing double and triple flips.
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Coastal Bird Life
The Kaikōura canyon brings together an extraordinary diversity of seabirds — wandering albatross, royal albatross, petrels, and shearwaters often join dolphin pods feeding on the same schools of fish.
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Return to Kaikōura
The return journey to Kaikōura passes the peninsula seal colony — the boat runs parallel to the mountains for the full classic coastal view of this remarkable town.