Luxury Small Group, Meal Included

Kaikoura Dolphin Encounter Luxury Small Group Tour

4 reviews

from $592.95 per person

Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Duration: About 10 to 11 hours
Meeting point: Christchurch hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Meal: Meal included
Run by: Canterbury Trails

Overview

This full day out from Christchurch pairs a scenic drive up the Canterbury coast with a swim alongside wild dolphins off Kaikoura. Canterbury Trails runs it in a Mercedes-Benz vehicle from its own fleet, capped at eight travellers, with door-to-door pickup from hotels, B&Bs and homestays in central Christchurch. Expect roughly ten to eleven hours door to door, with a driver-guide giving live commentary along the way.

The day starts with about an hour and a half travelling through the Canterbury region before four hours in Kaikoura itself. The dolphin swim is operated with Dolphin Encounter, and wetsuit and snorkel gear are supplied. A two-hour stop at the Kaikoura seal colony follows, with admission included, before the roughly two-hour drive back to Christchurch.

Food is largely taken care of: lunch, bottled water, and coffee or tea are all in the price, and only alcoholic drinks and gratuities cost extra. The tour suits travellers who want a marine wildlife day without organising a hire car or a separate Kaikoura trip, and the group never exceeds eight people. It is not wheelchair accessible, though collapsible wheelchairs can be accommodated when a companion can help with boarding. Weather matters, so check the cancellation terms before booking.

Wetsuits and snorkel gear drying on a rack beside a shed at South Bay, hoses and a bucket on wet concrete.

What's Included

Included

All activities
Driver/guide
Live commentary on board
Swim with wild dolphins with Dolphin Encounter, wetsuit and snorkel gear provided
Bottled water
Coffee and/or Tea
Lunch
Air-conditioned vehicle

Not Included

Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Gratuities

Itinerary

Hotel pickup, ChristchurchPickup from hotels, B&Bs and homestays in central Christchurch, then the day sets off in an air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz vehicle.
Canterbury Region driveAbout 1.5 hours travelling through the Canterbury region, with live commentary from the driver-guide on board.
Kaikoura, dolphin swimFour hours in Kaikoura. The swim with wild dolphins runs with Dolphin Encounter, and wetsuit and snorkel gear are provided.
Kaikoura Seal ColonyTwo hours at the seal colony, with admission ticket included in the tour price.
Return to ChristchurchAbout two hours back to Christchurch, with lunch, bottled water and coffee or tea included during the day.

GuideIncluded

PickupIncluded

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points are worth knowing before booking this one.

What is included. All activities, the driver-guide, live commentary, the dolphin swim with wetsuit and snorkel gear, lunch, bottled water and coffee or tea are covered. Alcohol is not included but can be bought along the way. Gratuities are also at the traveller's own discretion.
Group size. The tour runs with a maximum of eight travellers. Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.
Pace and fitness. Most travellers can participate. The day is long, around ten to eleven hours, so it suits people comfortable with a full schedule. Wetsuits and snorkel gear are provided for the dolphin swim.
Getting picked up. Pickup is included from hotels, B&Bs and homestays in central Christchurch. Stays outside that area should check the booking page before assuming pickup applies. The departure point is also near public transportation.
Weather dependency. The experience requires good weather. If it is cancelled for poor conditions, travellers are offered a different date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of travellers is not met.
Accessibility and family. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, though collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated when a companion can assist with boarding and disembarking. Infant seats are available and pushchairs are accessible, which helps families. Service animals are allowed.

Ready To BookCheck availability →

Common issues. The main practical limits are straightforward. The tour needs good weather and a minimum number of travellers to run; if either condition is not met, the operator offers a different date or a full refund rather than the original day. A full refund on traveller-initiated cancellations only applies when cancelling at least 24 hours before the start time, and no changes are accepted inside that window. The vehicle is not wheelchair accessible, so travellers with mobility equipment should confirm the collapsible wheelchair option applies to them on the booking page. Confirmation also arrives within 48 hours of booking and is subject to availability, so the trip is not instantly guaranteed at the moment of purchase.

Common Questions

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

Yes, pickup is included from hotels, B&Bs and homestays in central Christchurch. Stays outside that area are not covered, so anyone based elsewhere should check the booking page. The departure point is also near public transportation.

What Does The Price Include?

All activities, the driver-guide, live commentary, bottled water, coffee or tea, lunch, and the dolphin swim with wetsuit and snorkel gear are included. Seal colony admission is also covered. Alcoholic drinks and gratuities are not included.

How Long Is The Tour?

The tour runs about 10 to 11 hours. That includes roughly an hour and a half driving through the Canterbury region, four hours in Kaikoura, two hours at the seal colony and about two hours returning to Christchurch.

Can Children Join The Dolphin Tour?

Yes, children can take part but must be accompanied by an adult. Infant seats are available and pushchairs are accessible. Most travellers can participate.

Is The Tour Accessible For Wheelchair Users?

The tour is not wheelchair accessible. Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated provided a companion can assist the passenger with boarding and disembarking. Travellers with other mobility needs should raise them on the booking page before reserving.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

A full refund requires cancelling at least 24 hours before the experience start time, based on local time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted. If the operator cancels for poor weather or because the minimum traveller number is not met, a different date or a full refund is offered.