The day is here! I’ve looked forward to the Kaikoura Dolphin Encounter ever since meeting a couple in the Cook Islands who said it was the best thing they did in New Zealand.
While this activity books up quickly in the summer months, it’s easier to schedule at this time of year. I had planned to go yesterday but the water was choppy and our tour was postponed. So I hop off the Stray bus to spend one more night in Kaikoura and swim with the dolphins.
Here I am decked out in my wet suit:
After a brief safety video, we are bussed to the dock and climb aboard just before they back the boats into the water.
And we’re on our way…
Before long we see a dolphin pod swim by. There are hundreds of them…!
These Dusky Dolphins are only found in the Southern Hemisphere. They are about 5 feet in length, weighing around 170 lbs.
The captain drops us off just ahead of the pod and the dolphins swim by us as we’re in the water. By law we are allowed a maximum of five drops. We’re encouraged to sing and entertain them, as it’s the best way to engage the attention of these sonar creatures. Dolphins are playful by nature and if we’re lucky they’ll hang out briefly, probably just long enough to laugh at our pathetic attempts at singing underwater.
It’s exhilarating — they breeze right past us, darting above and below as we sing our hearts out. They’re clearly used to this odd human behavior. I have my GoPro strapped on and ready to record; here’s footage from our time in the water:
Magical, right? The proximity is incredible.
After our five drops are complete, we head to the bow of the boat for photo time. Our captain brings us to the front of a pod so we can snap pictures.
Our time on the water comes to an end and we head back. I feel a little sea sick but it passes once we reach land.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience I won’t soon forget. To play with these creatures on their turf, in such close proximity, just blows my mind.
Major thanks to Dolphin Encounter for offering a media discount. Opinions, as always, are my own.
Great photos!!
Thank you Thomas! Hope you like the video I put together too. Such a fun day!
–Erica
Wow, amazing!!
Thank you Kelley!!
Awesome blog, love to interview you for Kaikoura NZ Online Magazine please contact me editor@kaikouranz.com
Thank you
Thank you Rachel! I appreciate that, as I bet you read a lot of travel blogs. I will email you!
–Erica
This is awesome! Great shots and what an experience?!
B, I think you would love this. Remember as a kid how you wanted a pet dolphin to live in our bathtub? You’d be just as close swimming with them here!
xo E
My husband and I are going on a trip soon where we can swim with dolphins! That is really cool that on your encounter that the captain encouraged you to sing and entertain them while you were in the water with them! That sounds so fun! I didn’t know that by law you are allowed to do a maximum of 5 drops as well! Thank you for the information! I’m glad you had fun on your trip!
Hi Deb! Do you work for the dolphin swim in Kona? That sounds really neat. I’m curious how the U.S. laws are different than New Zealand re: maximum of five drops.