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Dolphin Encounter and Wildlife Tours - Dolphin Seafaris

4.9
50
Deals from $95.00 Save $54.00 Check dates nowsystem_update_alt
Experience the magic of a wild dolphin encounter on this 5-hour tour!

Experience the magic of a wild dolphin encounter on this 5-hour tour!

Highlights

  • Experience the magic of watching dolphins in their natural habitat
  • Get up close views of other marine life such as whales, seals and penguins
  • Spacious and comfortable catamaran
  • Swim with the dolphins - conditions permitting
  • 95% dolphin sighting success rate!

This is the trip of a lifetime for nature and animal lovers! Get up close to magnificent dolphins, whales and seals on board our state of the art catamaran.

Enjoy watching huge pods of common dolphins as they play and swim in their natural environment from the spacious deck. Our experienced wildlife guides have a wealth of knowledge and will ensure a fun and informative tour.

Our trips are highly successful with dolphins being spotted 95% of the time and we offer a "Dolphin Guarantee" which allows you a return trip for free on another day if there were no sightings.

The Bay of Plenty is home to a spectacular array of marine life and we often see orca whales, fur seals, blue penguins and albatross during the winter months..

You may get the opportunity to swim with the dolphins but this cannot be guaranteed due to regulations by the Department of Conservation. We swim with them about 85% of the time when it is legal and ethical to do so. We always respect the dolphins space but as they are naturally curious they do like to come and say hello. Wetsuits and snorkelling equipment will be provided.

Book today to secure your spot on this not to be missed tour!

Adult $149.00 (Aged 15+)
Child $119.00 (Aged up to 14 years)
Family $499.00 (2x Adults + 2x Children)

What's included

  • 5-hour dolphin watching cruise
  • Swimming with dolphins - conditions permitting
  • Hot drinks

Duration

  • Allow approximately 5 hours for the whole experience

Location

  • Tauranga Bridge Marina, Berth D1, 101 Te Awanui Drive,
  • Tauranga, Bay of Plenty.

Restrictions

  • Minimum age for swimming with dolphins is 7 years old and subject to sea conditions.

Child Friendly

  • This experience welcomes families with children.

Bad Weather Refunds

  • If your experience is cancelled by the operator (because of the bad weather, safety concerns, unscheduled maintenance etc) you will be entitled to a full refund.

Notes

  • All our tours are weather dependent and a minimum number of 10 passengers is required.

    Our Winter Tours (May to November) meet at 9am for 9.15 departure.

    For our Summer Tours (November to May) please arrive at 8.30am for your Dolphin Encounter which will depart at 9am promptly.

  • Dolphin Guarantee - Our guarantee is that if we do not find any dolphins for you, will give you a return voucher for another trip out with us. This voucher has no expiration date, but can only be used by you and you will need to call to pre-book your tour.

Available Bookings from 18 Dec to 31 Dec 2024

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Change Dates
Wed 18 Dec
Thu 19 Dec
Fri 20 Dec
Sat 21 Dec
Sun 22 Dec
Mon 23 Dec
Tue 24 Dec
Wed 25 Dec
Thu 26 Dec
Fri 27 Dec
Sat 28 Dec
Sun 29 Dec
Mon 30 Dec
Tue 31 Dec

  • Adult$119.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$119.00
  • Family$499.00

  • Adult$149.00
  • Child$119.00
  • Family$499.00

  • Adult$95.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$119.00
  • Family$499.00

  • Adult$119.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$119.00
  • Family$499.00

  • Adult$95.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$119.00
  • Family$499.00

  • Adult$119.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$119.00
  • Family$499.00

  • Adult$119.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$119.00
  • Family$499.00

  • Adult$95.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$119.00
  • Family$499.00

  • Adult$149.00
  • Child$119.00
  • Family$499.00

  • Adult$95.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$119.00
  • Family$499.00

  • Adult$95.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$119.00
  • Family$499.00

  • Adult$95.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$119.00
  • Family$499.00

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

4.9

50 reviews

Showing all 50 authenticated Bookme reviews

Jonas Degen from Germany wrote on 24 March 2023

Definitely worth it!

Our first trip was cancelled due to the weather. The rebooking for another day was easy and fast. The tour itself was very good. We saw a lot of dolphins and the team was really friendly and told us a lot about the dolphins. The first pods had babys with them so we couldn't swim with them but we later tried to do a "swim" while being at the back of the boat and getting pulled through the water. Unfortunately the dolphins weren't very interested in us, but that's how it is (of course no blame for the crew). We have to take half a star off because we didn't get any wetsuit (it says you get some) and another half because during the swim we were stuffed together really tightly (4 people each side). But all in all we would recommend this tour!

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lenkaa from New Zealand wrote on 18 March 2022

Fantastic Adventure

Thank you for the fantastic adventure! It was a Bday surprise for my 8yr old daughter and we both loved it.

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From Dolphin Encounter and Wildlife Tours - Dolphin Seafaris

Kia ora, Thank you so much for coming out with us and surprising your daughter on her birthday. What a fantastic way to spend a special day. Thank you for taking the time to write us such a great review. Ngā mihi nui, The Dolphin Seafaris Team

wolfgang36 from Switzerland wrote on 29 February 2024

Amazing Day with more Delphine as expectedd

We had a woundefull Day from begin to end. The 3 ladies, captain and expert/crew did take personel care of everyone. Pretty early we sighted the first dolphin group and observed them - with their babies, for approx. 30 min. Later we found anothet Group with 80 - 100 dolphins, Lots of them swam beside and underneath the boat. Great experience!

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Barbara Wass from United Kingdom wrote on 29 November 2023

Dream come true

Brilliant excursion! So many Dolphins, my wish list is getting smaller! Thank you to the Skipper and the Crew. I had the most amazing time

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From Dolphin Encounter and Wildlife Tours - Dolphin Seafaris

Thank you very much for review, we are very glad you got to tick seeing dolphins off your wish list. Kindest, The Dolphin Seafaris team.

wingyinc2 from Hong Kong wrote on 22 November 2023

Lovely dolphins

We saw a lot of dolphins and it's worth it. Though we can't swim with them as there are juveniles, it's a very nice trip. Lovely day with dolphins.

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From Dolphin Encounter and Wildlife Tours - Dolphin Seafaris

Kia Ora, thank you very much for coming with Dolphin Seafaris.

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This award identifies a business with a high level of professionalism, a keen awareness of the impact it has on the environment and a commitment to a customer centric approach.

This award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure the business's focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create genuine, constantly evolving and sustainable tourism experiences.

This award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand. It denotes exceptional customer experiences at the heart of everything the company does. This business is leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.

When you see the Qualmark logo, your activity of choice is endorsed by New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation and backed by leaders in the industry. It's your trusted guide to iconic activities and experiences that are awarded for their exceptionally high level of quality, safety and sustainability.

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