This is hands down one of my favourite experiences I did in New Zealand and honestly, probably one of the coolest things I’ve ever done in my life. Kaikōura’s coastline is home to a special breed of dolphin called the Dusky Dolphin. They're the most flexible dolphin species in the world and super social. Sometimes they hang around in pods of up to 1,000, but most tours see a few hundred which still feels absolutely unreal when you’re in the water with them.

Encounter Kaikōura gives you the chance to either swim with these wild dolphins or watch them from the boat. I really, really recommend the swim option it’s such a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience. The dolphins aren’t baited or fed, so it’s a totally ethical and natural encounter. They choose to come over to you, and trust me, they’re so playful and inquisitive.

The tour costs around $240, which includes all your snorkelling gear, the boat trip, and expert guides. You can also hire a GoPro for $70 to capture the magic. Make sure you hum and make noise while you're in the water, they love the vibrations and often come closer when they hear it.

In summer, tours run at 5:30 am, 8:30 am, and 11:30 am. I’d definitely recommend going as early as possible as the dolphins tend to nap in the afternoon, so they’re way more active in the morning. They also run in winter too dw but you have less options with time. 

They’ve been doing this for over 30 years and are huge on conservation too, with a portion of the profits supporting the Encounter Foundation.