Put on your snorkel and jump into a splashing, squeaking pod of friendly dolphins as they come up to greet your boat. Kaikoura’s mountain-crusted coast has a rich collection of marine life and your swimming tour brings you face to flipper with one of its most popular residents, the Dusky dolphin.

Start your dolphin encounter by climbing aboard a modern powerboat. Throw on your provided wetsuit and take a few test breaths with your snorkel as your captain sets a course for the best dolphin sites. Once you’ve found their hangout, leap into the water and look around to see black and silver dolphins swimming beside you, above you, and below you—your head spins as you try to keep up with all their playful manoeuvres.

Back onboard, take advantage of hot showers and enclosed viewing areas to warm up and take a break while the crew provides expert commentary about the dolphins and their habitat. For those who’d prefer to leave the swimming to dolphins, there’s just as much activity to see above water. Dusky dolphins are well known for their incredible acrobatic behaviour. Catch them jumping, twisting, and flipping out of the water for spectacular photography opportunities.

When they're done showing off, cruise back to shore but keep a lookout for breaching sperm whales, orcas, and seals that share Kaikoura’s waters with your new dolphin friends.

This tour is from Christchurch a 2 .5 hour journey by road