Where else can you interact all year round with one of nature’s most intelligent and playful creatures?

New Zealand has several coastal areas where you can enjoy a breathtaking close encounter with friendly dolphins. There is no better way to get to know these fascinating creatures than actually swimming in the midst of a pod and observing their antics. New Zealand has beautiful warm water for swimming amongst dolphins with the added bonus that you can often see orcas, whales, seals, penguins and albatrosses in the same location.

Daily tour boats operate from a number of ports along our east coasts. The boats have large viewing decks and staff with training in marine mammal behaviour. They provide informative commentaries and allow you to listen to dolphin calling sounds through hydrophones. You don’t need much swimming experience to get up close and personal with these wild creatures as the wetsuits supplied give ample buoyancy in the water.

The Bay of Islands has resident dolphins and water-jet powered catamarans visit them daily. Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf is an exceptionally diverse marine park with common and bottlenose dolphins and a 90% chance of successful viewing. Kaikoura has the renowned Whale Watch operation as well as regular encounters with dusky dolphins – the most acrobatic of the species. Lyttleton and Akaroa offer the chance to swim with the rare Hector’s dolphin. From Manapouri and Te Anau you can arrange natural history cruises on Milford and Doubtful Sounds, which include swimming with dolphins and seals.

Don’t miss this ultimate marine mammal adventure – it’s an unforgettable experience.