Dolphin Encounter

Swimming with or watching the dusky dolphins in their open ocean environment is for many, a dream come true.

Qualmark - 100% Pure Assurance

Whether you're looking for places to stay, things to do or ways to getting around, the Qualmark provides the quality assurance you need. Qualmark assured businesses can be found across New Zealand.

When you see the Qualmark it means that those businesses have been independently assessed against a set of national quality standards. It identifies professional and trustworthy businesses so you can book and buy with confidence.

Great Places to Stay

Whether you're looking for a luxury hotel, a family motel, a budget backpacker, a homely bed & breakfast, a holiday home or a spacious holiday park, the Qualmark identifies quality assured accommodation suitable for any type of traveller.

Accommodation providers have undergone a rigorous assessment and licensing process to become part of the Qualmark licensing system. They will meet your essential requirements of cleanliness, safety, security and comfort; and offer a range and quality of services appropriate to their star grade. Accommodation providers are also assessed on environment performance.

The star grading and classification system applies to accommodation. The Qualmark gives you details on both the accommodation category and their star grading. When you see a Qualmark Enviro Award logo it identifies their level of environmental performance.

Things to Do & Ways to Get Around

If you're looking for things to do and ways to get around, Qualmark endorsed visitor services, transport and visitor activities are the smartest choice, from abseiling to yachting, art galleries to wilderness walks, to tour buses.

Businesses that carry the Qualmark have met quality standards in safety, facilities, equipment, customer service and more. You can count on them to deliver a quality experience. Qualmarked businesses are also assessed on environmental performance. Look for the Qualmark Enviro Award logo for top performers in this area.

Qualmark Enviro Awards

All tourism businesses with a Qualmark logo have been assessed on their environmental performance; meaning that they have met a set of benchmark criteria and actions. These include the completion of environmental review and action plans, recycling options, and other initiatives.

The Qualmark Enviro Awards recognise those businesses that go beyond the benchmark. By demonstrating a commitment to being the best possible advocate within the community and continuing to minimise their environmental impact and resource usage; they earn the right to display and use an Enviro Gold, Silver or Bronze logo.

For you, recognising top performing Qualmark Enviro businesses is easy. Look for the Enviro Award logos on online listings and in other promotional material such as guide books and brochures. This is part of New Zealand tourism's commitment to looking after New Zealand for future generations to continue to enjoy.

Find out more about Qualmark on www.qualmark.co.nz

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Contact us by

  • Phone +64 3 3196777
Dolphin swimming, Kaikoura New Zealand.
A dusky dolphin leaping at Kaikoura.
Acrobatic dusky dolphins, Kaikoura, New Zealand.
A dolphin swimmer photographing dusky dolphins.
Dolphin swimming at Kaikoura, New Zealand.
Swimmers on Platform
Dolphin Pod
Leaping Dusky Dolphin
Swimming with Dusky Dolphins
Large Orca Bull
Viewing Orca
Dolphin and Swimmer
Kaikoura Township
Kaikoura Mountains in Winter

About

A dream for many of us is to swim with or watch dolphins in the wild! Since the summer of 1989-1990, Dolphin Encounter has operated tours to the dusky dolphins found close to shore in the ocean off Kaikoura.

Kaikoura's point of difference is the fact that we have the highest success rate for locating the marine mammals and swimming with the dolphins than anywhere in New Zealand. Kaikoura is one of the world's leading destinations to view marine mammals and seabirds in their natural environment.

Dusky dolphins can be located year round with pods numbering anywhere between 100 to 1000 dolphins. These enchanting and acrobatic dolphins will leave an impression with you that lasts a lifetime.

Opening times

  • Business hours: Tours 3 times daily in Summer, 5.30am, 8.30am and 12.30pm. Winter (May to September) trips twice daily, 8.30am and 12.30pm.
  • Months of operation: All months of the year

Facilities and Features

  • Proximity to airport: We are 2.5 hours from Christchurch International Airport.
  • Proximity to coach terminal: Kaikoura is 2.5 hours from Christchurch and 1.5 hours from Blenheim.
  • Proximity to town: Kaikoura is 2.5 hours from Christchurch and 1.5 hours from Blenheim.

Physical address

Dolphin Encounter , 96 Esplanade, Kaikoura, Christchurch - Canterbury, New Zealand.

Pricing and Conditions

Adult $170.00 - $170.00
  • Further pricing information: This tour is conducted in the open ocean and swimmers must be confident in an open ocean environment. Water temperatures vary from 10 - 18 degrees C, so clients must ensure they disclose any relevant health conditions before taking the tour.

Contact us by

  • Phone +64 3 3196777
  • Freephone 800 733 365
  • Fax +64 3 3196534

Our authors

  • Lynette Buurman

    Lynette Buurman

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