New Zealand · DOLPHIN WATCHING
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 dolphin watching tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Spend two hours on a roomy catamaran exploring Akaroa Harbour and Banks Peninsula. Skippers such as George and Joe share local knowledge while dolphin-spotting dogs Albie and Hana help find wildlife. Expect a drink, family-recipe cookie, scenic coastline and no dolphin swimming.
“Excelent tour, very informative, lot of dolfins and sea lions and even a pingguin. We enjoyed it very much.”
Join Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari at Viaduct Harbour for a 4.5-hour cruise on a 65-foot catamaran. Marine research scientists explain the gulf’s wildlife and conservation work as you search for dolphins, Bryde’s whales, seals, blue penguins, and seabirds.
“Enjoyed dolphins , glimpses of penguins but no whales despite valiant attempt by crew. Great education!”
Join the Dolphin Explorer at Auckland’s Eastern Viaduct for a 4.5-hour Hauraki Gulf safari. Your crew, including marine biologists such as Emily, Sanaa, John, and Joseph, combines wildlife viewing with research, conservation, and clear commentary. Dolphins are common, but whales remain a lucky sighting.
“Lovely seeing the dolphins and nice boat trip! Just a bit over priced”
Spend two hours on Akaroa Dolphins’ stable, low-lying catamaran with local guides such as George and dolphin-spotting dogs including Albie. Watch for Hector’s dolphins, seals, penguins, seabirds, sea caves, and volcanic cliffs. The trip includes a drink, homemade cookies, warm jackets, sunscreen, and English commentary.
“Albie the dog genuinely reacts to dolphins being nearby and was a great crowd pleaser on board! Continuous and very good commentary by the skipper. We saw Hectors Dolphin and also Indo Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins. We have great photos of the dolphins bow wave riding and Albie looking down at them from the deck above ! Wonderful trip and would definitely recommend.”
Set out from Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour for 6 to 8 hours of wildlife watching, live commentary, and island time. You’ll search for dolphins and Bryde’s whales, with a return voucher if no marine mammals appear, then choose Rotoroa Island or Man O’ War Vineyard.
“I loved visiting the Rototoa Island. And we loved to watched dolphins. It was amazing experience!”
Join Black Cat Cruises at Akaroa’s main wharf for a 3.5-hour trip with up to 12 swimmers. Learn safe dolphin behavior, watch for Hector’s dolphins, seals, and penguins, then enter 15 to 30-meter water when conditions and wildlife behavior allow.
“We really enjoyed our trip, the dolphins were beautiful, the crew and staff were fantastic from start to finish. Love it!!”
Cruise Akaroa Harbour aboard Black Cat Cruises’ spacious catamaran, with open decks, covered seating, toilets, and onboard drinks. Your skipper and guide explain Māori and European history, volcanic rock formations, and local wildlife while you look for Hector’s dolphins, fur seals, little penguins, albatross, and cormorants.
“We loved this experience. Got to see a few dolphins, little penguins and seals. The nature and history the the scenery was amazing. We would do this again!”
Set out from Tauranga Bridge Marina at 9:00 am for a six-hour search for wild common dolphins in the Bay of Plenty. Your crew chooses the route around wind and weather, provides wetsuits, snorkel gear, tea, and coffee, and lets you watch from the boat or enter the water when conditions and dolphin behavior allow.
“We had an amazing trip! Saw penguins, a hammerhead shark, and dolphins. The crew was knowledgeable and so welcoming. Can’t say enough good things about the crew they were almost as good as the dolphins! We highly recommend this trip. It was the highlight of our holiday.”
From Picton, E-Ko’s 4.5-hour cruise searches for dusky, bottlenose, and Hector’s dolphins, fur seals, seabirds, and little penguins. You’ll walk Motuara Island with a guide, use free binoculars and species cards, and return with hot drinks, biscuits, and local wine on afternoon departures.
“This is more focused on birds and less on dolphins. Why we saw two dolphins. Fifteen minutes out of four hours was focused on the dolphins. Bird watching was outstanding. Many varieties. The island has a steep walk to the top The guide Will was outstanding. Extremely knowledgeable and fun. Dan the boat driver maneuvered the boat to allow everyone to view the birds.”
From Tauranga, cruise into the Bay of Plenty with crew members such as Heidi and Lizzie to find common dolphins in the open sea. You may snorkel near them when conditions and dolphin behavior allow, while children stay aboard. Tea, coffee, fruit, gear, and free parking are included.
“The crew were really lovely and we saw various dolphins and 2 hammerhead sharks!! It was an incredible day.”
Join Black Cat Cruises for a 3.5-hour swim with wild Hector’s dolphins in Akaroa Harbour. A skipper and Nature Guide explain safe, respectful swimming, then lead up to 12 swimmers by boat past seals, seabirds, and volcanic cliffs. Wetsuits, showers, lockers, hot drinks, and photos are included.
“Harry, Charlotte & Thomas were amazing crew , knowledgeable and fun too! Thanks for an amazing trip. We were lucky enough to get to swim with the Hector dolphins, have an albatross chick land about 2 metres from us while we were in the water, see a white flippered penguin and a seal while we were on the boat… all of which we are grateful for!”
Join Bay Explorer at Tauranga’s Strand Wharf for a four to five-hour wildlife cruise with Jamie, Taylor, Emily Dee, Jordan, or James among the experienced crew. Watch for dolphins, penguins, seals, whales, orcas, sharks, and seabirds from a spacious boat with an open sun deck, bathrooms, and onboard bar.
“very good saw so many dolphins, people were all respectful of one another and staff were friendly and helpful”
Spend four hours with E-Ko Tours cruising Queen Charlotte Sound and visiting Motuara Island Sanctuary. Guides such as Courtney, Connor, and Dan identify dolphins, seals, penguins, and native birds. Small groups, binoculars, hot drinks, and afternoon Pinot Gris make this a thoughtful wildlife trip.
“Courtney and Dan were so informative and interesting to listen to. I could’ve stayed all day and heard about all the facts of the Sound. They made the trip very fun. With the bad weather we did not see what we planned to see (but that’s wildlife!) but they made up for it. Thank you both !!”
Join E-Ko Tours in Picton for a 3 to 4-hour wildlife cruise with marine biologists and guides such as Bella, Will, Alice, and Captain Andy. Search for dolphins, fur seals, king shags, orange-fronted kakariki, saddlebacks, and blue penguin chicks on predator-free Blumine Island.
“A worthwhile visit on quite a wet and windy day. The tour guide Alice was very informative and made every effort to give us a good trip despite the weather as did the driver of the motor boat. We didn't see any dolphins but we had a good view of a variety of sea birds and fur seals.”
From Christchurch, you’ll ride through Governor’s Bay, Gebbies Pass, and Lake Ellesmere to Akaroa. A marine crew provides wetsuits and snorkel gear for a chance to swim with wild Hector’s dolphins, followed by Akaroa free time and Barry’s Bay cheese tasting.
“Swimming with the dolphins in their natural habitat was amazing! I would rate this the best thing that I have done out of all my traveling over the years.”
Pick a coastline, a crater rim or a cellar door.
