Kaikoura Swim With Dolphins Tour From Christchurch

The Kaikoura Swim With Dolphins Tour from Christchurch promises an unforgettable day of adventure and wildlife encounters. Embarking on a scenic two-hour drive, participants can enjoy the natural world, swimming alongside playful dusky dolphins and observing the captivating New Zealand fur seals. With thoughtful inclusions like hotel transfers, snorkel gear, and wetsuits, the tour ensures a seamless and comfortable experience. But the highlight undoubtedly lies in the chance to engage with these magnificent creatures in their own environment, guided by an informative briefing on respectful interaction. This could very well be the ultimate bucket-list item for any nature enthusiast.

Contents hide

1 Tour Overview and Highlights

2 Tour Itinerary

3 Inclusions and Accessibility

4 Customer Experiences and Reviews

5 Booking Confirmation and Policies

6 Refund and Cancellation Details

7 Pricing and Lowest Price Guarantee

8 Preparing for the Dolphin Swim

9 Frequently Asked Questions

Key Points

Full-day adventure from Christchurch to Kaikoura with the opportunity to swim with dusky dolphins and view New Zealand fur seals.
Informative briefing and boat cruise into the Pacific Ocean for dolphin interaction with snorkel gear and wetsuits provided.
Maximum group size of 50 travelers and wheelchair accessible, with children at least 8 years old and basic fitness required.
Positive customer feedback on staff professionalism and organization, with occasional tour cancellations due to weather or low numbers.
Flexible cancellation policy with full refund up to 6 days prior and partial refunds for uncontrollable factors, ensuring peace of mind for travelers.

Tour Overview and Highlights

The Kaikoura Swim with Dolphins Tour from Christchurch offers a full-day adventure through the stunning North Canterbury region to the whale-watching paradise of Kaikoura.

This highly rated 4.5-star tour allows travelers to swim with dusky dolphins, view New Zealand fur seals, and spot majestic albatross.

The tour includes all necessary equipment like snorkel gear and wetsuits, as well as a tasty lunch and hotel transfers.

With a maximum of 50 travelers, this tour provides an intimate and unforgettable experience to interact with the region’s incredible marine life.

The tour’s highlights also include an informative briefing and a boat cruise into the Pacific Ocean to get up close with the playful dolphins.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Kaikoura.

Tour Itinerary

A typical Kaikoura Swim with Dolphins Tour begins with a morning pickup from your Christchurch hotel, followed by a scenic 2-hour drive through the North Canterbury region to the coastal town of Kaikoura.

Upon arrival, you’ll receive an informative briefing to prepare for your dolphin swim adventure.

Next, you’ll board a boat and cruise out into the Pacific Ocean, where you’ll have the opportunity to dive or float in the water and interact with the playful dusky dolphins.

After your close encounter with these marine mammals, you’ll return to Kaikoura and take a coach trip back to Christchurch, completing your unforgettable day of wildlife exploration.

Inclusions and Accessibility

What’s included in the Kaikoura Swim with Dolphins Tour is hotel pickup and drop-off, as well as an air-conditioned vehicle for transport.

Travelers can also make use of snorkel equipment and wetsuits, and they’ll have the opportunity to view a colony of New Zealand fur seals.

The tour accommodates a maximum of 50 travelers, and it’s wheelchair accessible, with collapsible wheelchairs welcomed.

Children must be at least 8 years old to swim, and a basic level of fitness is required.

The tour is designed to be accessible to a wide range of participants, ensuring everyone can enjoy the unique experience of swimming with wild dolphins.

Customer Experiences and Reviews

Travelers share overwhelmingly positive feedback on the Kaikoura Swim with Dolphins Tour, praising the staff’s professionalism and the tour’s overall organization. Reviewers frequently mention their close encounters with the wild dusky dolphins, describing the experience as "unique" and "unforgettable." However, some note that seasickness can be an issue, recommending visitors take motion sickness tablets. While a few customers complain about tour cancellations due to low numbers or weather conditions, the operator provides alternative tours in such cases.

Positive Highlights	Negative Aspects
Incredible dolphin interactions	Potential for seasickness
Knowledgeable and friendly staff	Tour cancellations due to conditions
Smooth and well-organized tour	–
Unique wildlife viewing opportunities	–

Booking Confirmation and Policies

Customers typically receive confirmation of their Kaikoura Swim with Dolphins Tour booking immediately after completing their reservation. The tour operator requires travelers to declare any pre-existing medical conditions at the time of booking.

The tour features a few key booking policies:

Passengers are eligible for a full refund if they cancel up to 6 days prior to the scheduled departure.
Partial refunds are available for cancellations due to factors like poor weather or limited sightings.
Children must be at least 8 years old to participate in the dolphin swim.
The tour is wheelchair accessible, and they can accommodate collapsible wheelchairs.

Here's some more things to do in Kaikoura

Refund and Cancellation Details

The tour operator offers a flexible cancellation policy, allowing travelers to receive a full refund if they cancel their booking up to 6 days prior to the scheduled departure.

Plus, they provide partial refunds for cancellations due to factors outside the travelers’ control, such as poor weather conditions or limited sightings.

This ensures travelers can plan their trip with confidence, knowing they won’t lose their money if unexpected circumstances arise.

The refund policy is clearly outlined, and customers can rest assured they’ll be taken care of should they need to adjust their plans.

With this flexibility, travelers can book the Kaikoura Swim with Dolphins Tour without worrying about non-refundable fees.

Pricing and Lowest Price Guarantee

The Kaikoura Swim with Dolphins Tour is priced from €221.03, with a lowest price guarantee to ensure travelers get the best deal.

This comprehensive tour package includes:

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Christchurch.
Use of snorkeling equipment, wetsuit, and viewing of the fur seal colony.
Maximum group size of 50 travelers, with wheelchair accessibility and collapsible wheelchairs accommodated.
Children must be at least 8 years old to participate, and a basic fitness level is required.

The tour operator provides a refund policy for unused portions of the tour, and partial refunds are available for cancellations due to sightings or weather conditions.

Travelers can also take advantage of the free cancellation option up to 6 days in advance.

Preparing for the Dolphin Swim

Before embarking on the swim, travelers receive an informative briefing that prepares them for their encounter with the dusky dolphins.

During this session, guides provide an overview of dolphin behavior and the proper techniques for interacting with them safely. Participants learn how to swim alongside the dolphins without making sudden movements or splashing, which could startle the animals.

They’re also instructed on the best ways to observe the dolphins’ natural behaviors and take photos or videos without disrupting them.

With this guidance, travelers can confidently enter the water and make the most of their unique opportunity to swim alongside these intelligent and playful marine mammals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Maximum Group Size for the Dolphin Swim?

The maximum group size for the dolphin swim is 50 travelers. This information is provided in the tour inclusions and accessibility details, which state that the tour has a maximum of 50 travelers.

Can I Bring My Own Camera/Gopro for the Swim?

Participants can bring their own camera or GoPro for the dolphin swim. However, they should be aware that using photography equipment during the swim may distract or interfere with the interaction with the wild animals.

How Long Does the Boat Cruise Last?

The boat cruise typically lasts around 2-3 hours, allowing ample time for swimmers to interact with the dolphins in the Pacific Ocean. The duration may vary depending on weather conditions and the behavior of the wild dolphins.

What Happens if I Experience Motion Sickness During the Tour?

If customers experience motion sickness, they should take motion sickness tablets before the tour. The tour provider offers complimentary sick bags and assistance for those feeling unwell during the boat cruise portion of the experience.

Are There Any Age Restrictions for the Dolphin Swim?

Children must be at least 8 years old to swim with the dolphins. Younger kids can still participate by viewing the dolphins from the boat. Basic fitness is required for the dolphin swim activity.