Before I even started planning my trip to New Zealand, there was one activity I knew I wanted to do – swimming with wild dolphins in Kaikoura. After a run of cancellations due to bad weather and several visits to Kaikoura, the stars finally aligned.
Swimming with dolphins in Kaikoura was one of the best activities I did in New Zealand. It was truly a dream come true.
Kaikoura is a sleepy town on New Zealand’s South Island’s east coast. The town is known for its abundance of unique marine life, including whales and dolphins. The dusky dolphin is a year-round resident here. They’re a very inquisitive species, making it a great spot for this bucket list activity.
In this guide, I’ve shared a recap of my experience with Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura, as well as an honest review and how to book.
How to swim with the dolphins in Kaikoura
Dolphin Encounter is the only company in Kaikoura that offers the chance to swim with dolphins. The tour operates all year round and goes out whenever the conditions allow.
The dusky dolphins are permanent residents in Kaikoura, and they are generally the species you’ll swim with.
The crew often knows where the dolphins are as they work with other companies, such as scenic flight planes, to track them. Once you find the dolphins, the crew will check the conditions, and if it’s deemed safe and suitable, you can jump in.
If you don’t want to swim with them, you can choose a spectator option too.
To secure your dolphin swimming in Kaikoura, book on the official website. I highly recommend booking as far in advance as possible, as the tours often sell out weeks in advance (especially during the summer months).
Swimming with the dolphins costs $240NZD (March 2025).
A recap of my experience swimming with dolphins in Kaikoura
Kaikoura is known for its rough ocean, and it’s not uncommon for boat tours to be cancelled. Sadly, this happened to me four times before I could swim with the dolphins.
After multiple failed attempts, I finally got the call that the tour was going ahead (15 minutes before I had to be at the office).
The check-in process is very efficient. The staff will help you gear up with a wetsuit, boots, gloves, fins, and a hood to keep you warm. You’ll also be given a snorkel and mask. We were told to try everything on straight away as once you’re on the boat, you can’t change anything.
After getting suited up, you’re shown a safety briefing video. This gives further information on the day will work and safety considerations to follow. After a few minutes, our guide abruptly ended the video. I assumed the worst – the trip was cancelled. It turns out they wanted to get ahead of a storm, so they told us to jump on the bus (thank god!).
The boat is about a five-minute drive from the office. As soon as you’re on the boat, the staff advise you to get ready, as they have no idea how long it will take to find the dolphins. It could be minutes, it could be longer.
We were very lucky and found the dolphins within twenty minutes! After a quick reminder of safety guidelines, we jumped in the water. When they say jump, you need to jump. The dolphins can quickly move away, and you don’t want to miss your opportunity.
Jumping into the water and seeing the dolphins swimming around you is a magical experience. I’m not sure I can entirely summarise just how special it is.
What happens next really depends on your tour. If the dolphins swim away, the crew may get you out of the water to go and find other dolphins. It’s not uncommon to enter the water three or four times during your dolphin swim experience.
My group ended up staying in the water for forty minutes. There were over 400 dolphins in the water, and they couldn’t have been more inquisitive and interested in us. They spent the whole time circling me, blowing bubbles and making sounds. It was spectacular.
Once the ocean got too rough, we had to get out of the water. We spent a few minutes observing the dolphins from above the surface before returning to shore.
The Dolphin Encounter office has changing rooms and warm showers so you can get clean, warm and dry before continuing with your Kaikoura itinerary. There is also a cafe on site.
A review of my experience with Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura
Honestly, this was one of the best activities I have ever done in all my travels. Swimming with the dolphins aside, the crew were fantastic. Safety was their number one priority, and they were professional, passionate and clearly loved doing what they did.
One of the points I particularly liked was how natural this was. I’ve been in countries where boats crowd animals, and too many people jump in and surround them.
This just wasn’t the case here. They are the only company allowed to swim with the dolphins, and we were the only boat with them. The crew did nothing to attract the animals. They weren’t fed or trapped anywhere.
We were warned that sometimes the dolphins aren’t interested, and if that’s the case, we’ll have to get out. I liked the element of respecting that they are completely wild animals. We are in their home and need to be respectful.
The group was also very small. Our group had seven swimmers, and Dolphin Encounter has a strict limit on each trip to ensure there are not too many people in the water. It’s such a tricky balance to be able to do activities like this while still respecting the animals, but I think this company has nailed it. I honestly can’t recommend swimming with the dolphins enough.
Swimming with Dolphins in Kaikoura FAQ
Are there other places to swim with dolphins in New Zealand?
There are other places in New Zealand where you can swim with dolphins, but Kaikoura is renowned as the best. This is due to its abundance of marine life and the inquisitive dusky dolphins in the area.
The only downside is how rough the ocean can be in this area. Other spots, such as the dolphin swimming in Picton, are much less exposed and tend to offer calmer conditions.
Are you guaranteed to swim with the dolphins?
Nope, you’re not guaranteed to swim with the dolphins. The dolphins are entirely wild, and the crew can never make any promises. If the crew can’t find the dolphins, you’ll receive a refund minus a small operational cost.
Sometimes, you’ll find dolphins but can’t swim with them. This might be because baby dolphins are in the pod or the sea conditions have worsened. When this happens, you’ll receive a refund minus the spectator cost.
Is swimming with the dolphins safe?
Dolphin Encounter has many rules in place to make sure you stay safe.
Before we got into the water, the crew gave us an in-depth safety briefing and ensured everyone was comfortable.
The crew constantly watches you in the water to ensure you’re safe. We were told to stick together as a group to avoid anyone drifting too far.
I never felt unsafe doing this activity. The crew had many rules and safety protocols in place, and it was clear that safety was the most important thing.
Having said that, there are always risks when swimming in the open ocean and I’d say you need to be a confident swimmer to do this activity.
What should you wear?
You’ll need to wear your swimwear when you check in so you can pop your wet suit over the top. I’d suggest taking dry clothes with you on the boat so you can change into something warmer. They don’t provide towels, so it’s important to take your own.
Summary: Is swimming with the dolphins in Kaikoura worth it?
Yes. Yes. Yes. It’s absolutely worth it. If you only plan one activity in Kaikoura, make it this. It’s such a memorable experience, and there are not many places in the world where you can swim with dolphins.
One of the best parts of the experience was seeing so many dolphins. I was surrounded by them; I counted seven around me at one point. When we got out of the water, our crew said there were around 400 in the pod.
It truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and an absolute must for your New Zealand itinerary.
Did you know it’s possible to swim with sharks in New Zealand?
