Swimming with wild dolphins, New Zealand

One of the top things to do in New Zealand is definitely swimming among wild dolphins in the ocean with Encounter Kaikoura. It is scary, tiring and crazy but oh so epic, memorable and LEGEND…wait for it…DARY! And below are many pictures and a video to prove it.

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SWIM WITH DOLPHINS VIDEO

Let's start with a video! As someone else on the tour lent me his GoPro camera, I was able to film my whole swim. Don't worry, I cut it to just a few minutes with the best shots of the wild dolphins underwater.

INFO & PLANNING TIPS - SWIM WITH WILD DOLPHINS IN KAIKOURA

I was well rested after my Kaikoura Peninsula Walk, which was good because this whole experience started at 4am: I had no problem walking up as I was so excited and scared at the same time. I knew it was going to be a one of the most memorable moments in all my travels but I kept asking myself: Am I crazy? Swimming in the middle of the ocean with big & completely wild animals which are so at ease in the water?

For all of you who are scared by the idea, just push yourself, I promise this is so worth it! One of the best things to do in South island!

We swam with plenty of dolphins, watched them play from the boat, spotted a whale and admired albatrosses flying. What an experience!

And do not miss the video after all the photos!

REVIEW - Swim

I selected myself and paid fully for this activity - I experienced it in March 2014

My impressions

Company: Encounter Kaikoura.
Transportation: the boat was in good condition
Organization: Excellent organization to welcome us, provide equipment and safety briefing. On the boat as well there system is working very well. They have extras if you do not swim so well and all.
Food: Biscuits and drinks after the swim
Knowledge guide: Team was knowledgeable, nice and well organized. We we worried we would not find any dolphins but after 45 min we did
Ambiance: Excellent
Safety: There surveillance was good, and the floating equipments in good condition

Recommendations

Fitness: this is quite intense but the wetsuit is made to float . So if you are tired just turn around and relax. Personally I think I stayed in the water 23min over the 2 swims and the others 5 minutes more. I am not fit and was able to enjoy it
Even if you are not a good swimmer you can participate. They give you many floating equipments
Take motion sickness pills for the boat ride and stay outside
An underwater camera would let you capture this incredible experience
They do not have mask with eyesight corrections - I brought my own

Getting ready

We were booked into the very early trip and were dropped off at the centre Encounter Kaikoura for the security briefing and to set up our gear. We boarded the boat at some had more difficulties than others staying awake:

Encountering more than just dolphins

Whale encounter

We were starting to feel unlucky not finding any dolphins when we spotted a sperm whale. We did not have the right boat to approach but it was still very impressive to see its size and observe the tail when it dived.
Spotting whales near Kaikoura is one of the unforgettable things to in in New Zealand

Alabatros encounter

We then observed several albatrosses flying around and showing off their impressive wingspan.

The swim with wild dolphins

And then it happened! The team of the boat shouted they spotted dolphins and we jumped very quickly into the water. No time to think or get scared, I was already floating and trying to spot the dolphins while getting my hands warm. The dolphins were coming close and swimming fast. It was exhilirating!