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New Zealand
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Bay of Islands
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Tours & Activities
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Bay of Islands Dolphin Cruise from Paihia or Russell
4 h
About this activity
Choose a morning or afternoon departure for your dolphin cruise and journey into waters rich in marine life, on this unique Bay of Islands day cruise. See dolphins in their natural habitat, learn about other marine life including whales, seals and penguins from your expert crew and dive into an unforgettable opportunity to swim with dolphins in New Zealand. If you love the ocean, this is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Bay of Islands! Departing either Russell or Paihia, you'll travel out to secluded islands around the bay to look for bottlenose and common dolphins. If the weather and ocean conditions allow on your dolphin cruise, you'll have the opportunity to dive into the warm water and snorkel near the dolphins (additional cost of $30.00 per person). Renowned for their agility, grace and intelligence, delight in this unique experience as you swim with dolphins. Featuring a low outdoor viewing deck, underwater microphone and water jet engines that enhance your dolphin cruise, your boat is smaller than most other tour vessels in the Bay of Islands, meaning you'll enjoy a more intimate experience with the wildlife and natural surroundings. Enjoy learning about dolphin behaviour, the marine ecosystem in the Bay of Islands and the history of the region from your expert crew via informative commentary on board. Your cruise concludes when you return to your starting point in either Paihia or Russell. While dolphins are seen on most cruises, nature is unpredictable. In the unlikely event that no dolphins or whales are spotted during your tour, you will be offered to take another dolphin cruise at no additional cost.
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Included
- Use of wet suit, snorkel, mask and fins (If you have paid the $30.00 swimming with dolphins surcharge.
- Skipper and professional guide
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Swim with the Dolphins ( additional $30.00
Additional
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Please Note: There is an additional charge of NZD$30 to swim with the Dolphins. This will be refunded if you do not swim with Dolphins.
- You must be a competent swimmer in open water
- Bring a swimsuit and towel
- Children 8-12 must be accompanied by an adult
- Children under 8 years old are not permitted to swim in the water with the dolphins
Features
Tourism
90%
Original
80%
Aquatic
50%
Cultural
45%
Reviews
the dolphin trIp was well organised, the staff were very knowledgeable and informative. Seeing the dolphins up close and there were so many of them was amazing.Too many people on the boat, a bit crowded. Nice stop at the beach for a swim
Had a great time, super weather. Boat left right on time. Only eleven people on the boat, cruised many bays looking for wildlife, saw sea birds and Bottlenosed dolphins, some were 18 feet long and some had young ones. The tour usually offers you to swim with the dolphins but the day we were there did was not offered due to most of the dolphins were adolescent it was not safe to swim with them. Overall a great day on the water
The trip was very good however we didn't get to swim with the dolphins due to either them feeding or baby's were with them. My daughter was on the same trip last year and she didn't swim with them either. I feel that the chances of swimming with them is very unlikely. The advert emphasis too much that you will swim and makes it sound more guaranteed.
Cruise was very pretty nice. We saw dolphins swimming right after the cruise ship pulled out pier but didn't have a chance to swim with them. Crews are knowledgeable about local marine life, helpful and nice.