A dolphin boat tour in Kaikōura is a must-do experience if you love wildlife. I really suggest booking the first tour of the day because it leaves at sunrise and the light over the ocean at that time is beautiful. The hector and dusky dolphins are usually the most active in the early morning, jumping and playing around the boat.

You can also choose the option to snorkel with the dolphins. If you want to do that, it might be better to book a tour a bit later in the morning when there is more light in the water because it makes it easier to see the dolphins swimming around you. The water is very cold, even in summer, but you get a thick wetsuit and you can warm up with cups of hot water that the crew pour into your suit between swims.

Either way, I think it's a really enjoyable tour. I recommend buying sea sickness tablets beforehand, because the Kaikōura waters aren't great if you get easily seasick.