Seal Swim, 2.5 Hours

Seal Swimming Tour from Kaikoura

★ 5.0 284 reviews

from $101.57 per person

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Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Meeting point: Gooches Beach, Esplanade
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Run by: Seal Swim Kaikoura

Overview

Swimming with wild seals is the whole point of this half-day trip, run from a beachfront base on the Esplanade in Kaikoura, right next to Gooches Beach Playground. The total experience runs about 2.5 hours. You check in shortly before departure and head out on the water with a local guide to swim near the colony, with group sizes capped at 10 travellers.

The seals here are accustomed to people, and reviewers describe them swimming close by, sometimes right alongside swimmers, in a setting where the animals' welfare comes first. One reviewer called it the best animal experience of a long New Zealand trip, and another ranked it above every other tour they took in the country.

It suits travellers with a moderate level of physical fitness who want to get in the water rather than watch from a boat. It is not the right pick for anyone with serious back or heart problems, and the tour is not wheelchair accessible. Bring a swimsuit, towel and warm layers, since conditions on the Kaikoura coast change fast.

Fur seals resting on rocks on the Kaikoura coast with kayaks on the water nearby.

What's Included

Included

Half-day tour
Local guide
Local taxes
Air-conditioned vehicle

Itinerary

Meet at the EsplanadeMake your way to the beachfront location on the Esplanade in Kaikoura, next to Gooches Beach Playground, about a 5-minute drive from the Kaikoura Information Centre. Check in 15 minutes before departure.
Check in and gear upMeet the crew at the beachfront base before heading out. It is advisable to call the day before to confirm your exact check-in time.
Seal swimHead out on the water with a local guide and swim near the seal colony. The full tour runs 2.5 hours.
Return to the beachThe tour ends back at the same beachfront meeting point by Gooches Beach Playground.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will make the day go more smoothly, from what to pack to how the weather can affect things.

Where this tour sits among 4 tours in Seal Swims, Kayaks And Albatross Trips listed here (from-price per person, USD)

Seal Kayak, 3 Hours$82.27
Wildlife Sea Kayak Tour$93.62
Seal Swim, 2.5 Hours (this tour)$101.57
Albatross Encounter Day Trip$226.97

What to bring. You are asked to bring a swimsuit, towel and warm clothing, plus a small gear bag for your things. Warm layers matter even in good weather, since you will be wet and on the open coast.
Fitness level. Travellers should have a moderate level of physical fitness, since this is an actual swim rather than watching from a boat. The tour is also not recommended for people with back problems or serious heart conditions.
Group size. The tour carries a maximum of 10 travellers. One reviewer described the group as pleasantly small, which keeps the experience manageable in the water.
Wildlife is wild. Seal sightings cannot be guaranteed on every pass. One reviewer noted few seals at first, but said the crew offered to take them out again the next day for another try, which they appreciated.
Weather calls. Conditions in Kaikoura are changeable and tours can be cancelled for weather. If that happens, the operator offers a different date or a full refund, so keep some flexibility in your schedule.
Confirm the day before. You need to call the operator the day before your tour to confirm your check-in time. Missing that call, or arriving late, can result in the booking being cancelled, so make sure your contact details on the booking are current.

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Common issues. The honest catch is weather: changeable conditions can plainly lead to cancellations, and wind affected at least one reviewer's first attempt, though the operator offered a retry the following day. Seal numbers near the swim spot also vary, so a single outing may involve fewer animals than hoped. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, is not recommended for travellers with back problems, and requires moderate fitness, which rules some people out. The strict check-in rules, including the required confirmation call the day before, are another thing to stay on top of.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

Included are the half-day tour itself, a local guide, local taxes and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle. Swimming equipment is provided as part of the experience, according to reviewers. No other inclusions or exclusions are named.

Where Does The Tour Start?

It departs from the operator's beachfront location on the Esplanade in Kaikoura, next to Gooches Beach Playground. That is about a 5-minute drive from the Kaikoura Information Centre, Encounter Kaikoura and the Sudima Hotel. The tour ends back at the same spot.

How Long Does The Tour Take?

The full experience lasts about 2.5 hours. You should check in 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time. Calling the operator the day before to confirm your exact check-in time is recommended.

Can Anyone Join The Swim?

Not everyone. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, is not recommended for people with back problems, and is not suitable for anyone with heart problems or other serious medical conditions. A moderate level of physical fitness is expected.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

You get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time, using the local time in Kaikoura. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted. If the operator cancels for poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

What Should I Bring?

Bring a swimsuit, towel and warm clothing, and a small gear bag is useful. Do not forget your contact details on the booking need to be accurate, since the operator may need to reach you. Call the day before your tour to confirm your check-in time.