Wild Dolphin Encounter in Tauranga

4.5
(196 reviews)
Tauranga, New Zealand

5 hours (approximately)
Offered in: Norwegian and 4 more

Join this tour for a must-do, once-in-a-lifetime adventure with friendly dolphins in their natural habitat!

Admire wild common dolphins from the boat and, in some cases, get in the water with these beautiful creatures. This is a half-day trip departing from Tauranga Bridge Marina aboard the comfortable catamaran The Guardian, with an expert crew providing live commentary on the animals' behaviour and life history, as well as any support you may need throughout the tour.

Our summer dolphin encounter tours operate from November to May, weather and passenger numbers permitting.

What's Included

Professional guide
Tea and Coffee
Live commentary on board
Sightseeing dolphin cruise
T-shirts available to purchase

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point
Dolphin Seafaris NZ Ltd

We meet at Tauranga Bridge Marina where there is plenty of free all day parking. Our boat is berthed on D1 just outside the restaurant and marina office building.

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What to expect

Join us for a memorable day out at sea, encountering wild dolphins in the Bay of Plenty. The dolphins we have in the Bay of Plenty are very curious and playful, and they often like to hang around the boat and watch us while we watch them. In some cases (around 70% of our trips), we allow guests to enter the water with them. We are fortunate to be permitted by the Department of Conservation to offer this experience in the Bay of Plenty. Whether guests are able to enter the water depends on several factors, including weather conditions, the behaviour of the dolphins, and the presence of juveniles within the pod.
We can take up to 8 people in the water at a time, holding onto the swim bars while the boat moves slowly. It is a magical experience to be in the water with these incredible creatures, and this is the only way to keep up with them, as they can swim at speeds of up to 25 km/h.
Our expert crew of Wildlife Guides will ensure your trip with us is a fantastic experience and a highlight of your visit to the region. We provide all equipment, including wetsuits, masks, and snorkels, give a full briefing for those entering the water, and also include hot drinks and fresh fruit.

Additional info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • All trips are subject to weather and minimum booking numbers.
  • Trips operate with a 48 hour non refundable cancellation.
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
  • Children must be over 7 to swim with dolphins and be confident swimmers in the ocean.
Supplied by Dolphin Seafaris NZ Limited
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Tags

Nature and Wildlife Tours
Whale Watching
On the Water
Dolphin Watching
Wildlife Encounters
Wildlife Watching
Excellent Quality
Likely To Sell Out
Involves Animals
Top Product
Low Supplier Cancellation Rate
Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate
Curated Catalog

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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Rating

4.5 Based on 196 196 reviews
5 stars
154
4 stars
15
3 stars
8
2 stars
5
1 star
14
Likely to sell out
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