Swim with the Dolphins
Explore Group
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Swim with the Dolphins
Cruise amongst the 144 islands where Dolphin watching is guaranteed.
Swim with the dolphins in their world which is a once in a life time opportunity. Join us on our purpose built catamaran & our guides who are some of the most experienced in NZ will educate & ensure you get the most from your adventure.
Trips include a lifetime dolphin viewing guarantee, departing twice daily from Paihia and Russell.
Details
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Explore GroupCommercial organisation |
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Paihia |
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Coordinates |
Marine Animals
Dolphin Watching
Reviews
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4.0/5
Well organised tour with knowledgeable staff, respected the dolphins and laws.
Included a great lunch. A bit expensive but good value when compared to others. Needed a bit more time at the island stop.
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2.5/5
We saw many orcas during this trip.
We went to a second bay where one dolphin was there and wasn't afraid of people.
20 people at a time in the water to be with this dolphin. It wasn't what I expected.
The crew refused to give us neoprene swimsuits even though water was fresh (less than 20C) for us. We live in Thailand.
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2.0/5
On our half day trip, we got to see both dolphins and one whale.
We did not get to swim with them though. Average tour, nothing special and too expensive.
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3.5/5
Good sights and seeing dolphins was amazing.
A bit too impersonal I think but a nice way to see the Bay of Islands.
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3.5/5
Little bit expensive but it was so nice to see dolphins in the Bay of Islands.
Amazing islands as well.
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5.0/5
Nothing can top the experience of dolphins swimming directly beneath you and then jumping behind your boat as you leave.
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4.0/5
Great day with a great company and friendly staff.
A little bit pushy buying the photos they take during the cruise. Besides that a recommendable tour!
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2.0/5
On our half day trip, we got to see both dolphins and one whale.
We did not get to swim with them though. Average tour, nothing special and too expensive.
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4.0/5
Well organised tour with knowledgeable staff, respected the dolphins and laws.
Included a great lunch. A bit expensive but good value when compared to others. Needed a bit more time at the island stop.
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2.5/5
We saw many orcas during this trip.
We went to a second bay where one dolphin was there and wasn't afraid of people.
20 people at a time in the water to be with this dolphin. It wasn't what I expected.
The crew refused to give us neoprene swimsuits even though water was fresh (less than 20C) for us. We live in Thailand.
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3.5/5
Good sights and seeing dolphins was amazing.
A bit too impersonal I think but a nice way to see the Bay of Islands.
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3.5/5
Little bit expensive but it was so nice to see dolphins in the Bay of Islands.
Amazing islands as well.
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5.0/5
Nothing can top the experience of dolphins swimming directly beneath you and then jumping behind your boat as you leave.
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4.0/5
Great day with a great company and friendly staff.
A little bit pushy buying the photos they take during the cruise. Besides that a recommendable tour!
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2.0/5
No digital information on board only old books.
Four hour tour unfortunately included drop off of customers on board of a sailing ship. This was not mentioned and we had to leave dolphins early because of this.
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1.5/5
I have been on a "Hole in the Rock" tour on 13/11/2011 in Paihia.
We saw a pod of Bottlenose Dolphins and some distant Common Dolphins. A stop at Urupukapuka Island was included, as well. The "Hole in the Rock" was the announced Highlight of the Tour.
After finishing my several months trip through NZ I can`t recommend Dolphin Discoveries. It is expensive, the whole thing seems to aim the customers money. The crew is busier with taking photos of you than to provide an experience of the Bay of Island environment. Please spend your money for other activities than for the "Hole in your Pocket" tour with Dolphin Discoveries.
Sebastian, Germany
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4.5/5
Apart from slightly delayed pickup from motorcamp an excellent service.
Very good tour around the islands, lots of dolphins, 2 swims with them, very helpful and friendly crew.
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5.0/5
It was a very nice and spectacular experience - but it was too expensive $150.
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4.0/5
It was great!!
Discovered Urupakapaka Island, we learned alot about dolphins, we took a lot of beautiful pictures, we snorkelled. We talked with the captain and it was great but we did not swim with dolphins because of the bad weather!!
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4.0/5
Very kind people (boat crew) who gave us lots of information.
Did their best to spot whales but did not work out unfortunately.
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4.5/5
Did the swim with the dolphins.
Great crew, good price and considering environmental DOC regulations.
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1.5/5
We booked a trip based on our desire to swim with the dolphins.
We were on the black and yellow catamaran:
The weather got a bit rough, and the pod of dolphins we saw had a youngster. Therefore, in the end, we neither got to swim with the dolphins, nor see the promised Hole in the Rock. Basically, the crew on the boat is friendly, but it seems that these smile occur as the company is ripping you off. We aimlessly cruised the islands, saw one pod of dolphins that actually found us, and observed as the somewhat disinterested crew played cards and, for the most part, took the lack of a full boat to mean it was their leisure time. It was clear that we were not going to find another pod to swim with simply because there was no effort on the part of the crew to do so.
Interestingly, there was plenty of time to drop us off on one of the islands with absolutely nothing to do but buy overpriced, stale sandwiches. And plenty of time to try and sell us the photos they made. I guess they don't even bother trying to hide that the whole thing is utterly disgusting in how commercialized it is.
Overall, we killed a bunch of time sitting on a boat with nothing to do. In conclusion, there are much more interesting places to see, and much better values, in New Zealand's north than this deceptive tour.
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3.5/5
The swim with the dolphins was disappointing as they weren't interested and left once we were in the water..
The boat trip itself was fantastic and we were lucky enough to go through the hole in the rock.
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3.0/5
Started out well, first 2 hours good, next 2 hours very little happened.
Although no dolphins were around for the 2nd half of the tour, could have been taken round islands more eg to see Hole in the Rock.
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3.5/5
Very friendly and informative.
It had not been made clear to us that weather might prevent the passage through the Hole in the Rock and that there would be a long stop on the way back.
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2.0/5
There are too many companies, Fuller's and yellow/black boats.
We had the yellow. It was too commercial, with a photographer on board. Too busy on the water with 2 boats, jetboats and helicopters.
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