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Swimming with wild dolphins, a highlight of my New Zealand travels

Last updated on May 10, 2019 By Claire, the Travel Planning Geek

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.

Travel Guide New Zealand : Plan your swim with wild dolphins in Kaikoura

Navigate back to the complete New Zealand Travel Guide


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:

Ready to swim with wild dolphins, new zealand

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

Spotting a sperm whale, Kaikoura, New Zealand

Alabatros encounter

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

Albatross encounter, Kaikoura, New Zealand Photo 1
Albatross encounter, Kaikoura, New Zealand Photo 2

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!

Looking for the dolphins photo 1
Looking for the dolphins photo 2
Swim with wild dolphin New Zealand photo 1
Swim with wild dolphin New Zealand photo 2
Swim with wild dolphin New Zealand photo 3

Turn around!

Swim with wild dolphin New Zealand photo 4
Swim with wild dolphin New Zealand photo 5

Watching dolphins from the boat

After getting back to the boat, the dolphins stayed around and played on the waves created by the boat. They seemed to really have fun! And so did we

Dolphins from Boat photo 1
Dolphins from Boat photo 2
Dolphins from Boat photo 3

Want to see more of NEW ZEALAND?

Discover more things to do with planning information and photos in my online New Zealand Travel Guide.

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KAIKOURA PENINSULA WALK

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NZ SOUTH ISLAND LAKES

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Renuka says

    April 25, 2014 at 6:37 AM

    So blue! I am sure it must have been fun. Pictures say it all!

    Reply
  2. Claire Robinson says

    April 28, 2014 at 3:03 PM

    Thanks for your comment. It was a lot of fun!

    Reply

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