Photographer: Chris McLennan

Home > Destinations > New Zealand > Family Fun > Swimming with dolphins

One of the most popular tourist activities based around wildlife and water would have to be swimming with dolphins, so we have put together a few tips if you are planning on doing this with your family.

1. Swimming is at the discretion of the skipper. The skipper may decide, and for good reasons, that your group is unable to swim with the dolphins, so make sure you prepare the children that this may happen. Minimum age is 8 years.

2. The skipper will also weigh up each person's swimming ability and confidence, as well as the sea conditions and the needs of the dolphins. Please don't be offended if the skipper feels that you shouldn't go swimming.

3. If there are a number of baby or younger dolphins in the pod the skipper may decide that it is best to leave them alone - so you will be able to watch these beautiful creatures but not swim with them.

4. Swimming is in the open sea and you will need to be able to swim underwater with masks and snorkels.

5. The maximum time in the water will be approximately 20 minutes.

 

Dolphin Encounter   Kaikoura Canterbury Region Swimming with dolphins - 8 years and over Dolphin watching - 5 years and over
	Location: Esplanade, Kaikoura          Age restrictions: Swimming with dolphins - minimum age 8 years and over, confident swimmers only. Dolphin watching - minimum age 5 years and over.
Kaikoura is unique, in that it has the highest success rate in New Zealand for locating and swimming with the acrobatic dusky dolphins. Numbers of dolphins can vary depending on the time of year and pods of between 100-1500 dolphins are sighted regularly off the Kaikoura Coast. On the Dolphin Encounter tour you may watch or swim with the wild dusky dolphins in their natural environment. Tours operate daily at 8.30am and 12.30pm (with an additional 5.30am tour in the summer). Children must be eight years or older to swim and three years or older to watch on the tour. To watch on the tour no special equipment is required and the necessary snorkeling equipment is provided for the swimmers.     We do not accept children under the age of 5 years on our tours without prior consultation. Because this is an open ocean experience the age limit for children participating in the swimming with dolphins activity is 8 years. Watch our video For more information and to book

 

 

Seal Swim Kaikoura Kaikoura - Canterbury 5 years and older conditions apply
	Location:  58 West End, Kaikoura Family Pass: $5 off per person for family bookings of 4 or more Web: www.sealswimkaikoura.co.nz Minimum age: Generally 5 years and older however skippers may raise the age limit in some conditions.
Swim with wild New Zealand fur seals in the shallow waters of the beautiful Kaikoura Peninsula. A family seal swim will build unforgettable memories for you and your children to share for years to come.   As well as being a great team building experience it ’s a fantastic way to inspire your children and get them interested and excited about outdoor activities. Even the teenagers will get a trill from it! Seal Swim Kaikoura has been operating safe and enjoyable tours in Kaikoura since 1987. All equipment supplied, no experience necessary.