Swim with the Dolphins
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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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Organisation |
Explore GroupCommercial organisation |
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Location |
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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5.0/5
It was a very nice and spectacular experience - but it was too expensive $150.
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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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4.5/5
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.
BB![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(42,231,52)" /><path d="m 150 736 Q 278 22 -436 150 Q 278 278 150 -436 Q 22 278 736 150 Q 22 22 150 736 z" fill="rgb(251,105,209)" /><path d="m 150 487 Q 176 124 -187 150 Q 176 176 150 -187 Q 124 176 487 150 Q 124 124 150 487 z" fill="rgb(4,150,46)" /><path d="m 150 168 Q 156 144 132 150 Q 156 156 150 132 Q 144 156 168 150 Q 144 144 150 168 z" fill="rgb(213,24,203)" /></svg>)
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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!!
MD![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(234,214,29)" /><path d="m 150 612 Q 300 0 -312 150 Q 300 300 150 -312 Q 0 300 612 150 Q 0 0 150 612 z" fill="rgb(209,183,149)" /><path d="m 150 362 Q 236 64 -62 150 Q 236 236 150 -62 Q 64 236 362 150 Q 64 64 150 362 z" fill="rgb(46,72,106)" /><path d="m 150 322 Q 202 98 -22 150 Q 202 202 150 -22 Q 98 202 322 150 Q 98 98 150 322 z" fill="rgb(21,41,226)" /></svg>)
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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!
F![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(151,34,141)" /><path d="m 150 601 Q 251 49 -301 150 Q 251 251 150 -301 Q 49 251 601 150 Q 49 49 150 601 z" fill="rgb(139,228,140)" /><path d="m 150 499 Q 241 59 -199 150 Q 241 241 150 -199 Q 59 241 499 150 Q 59 59 150 499 z" fill="rgb(116,27,115)" /><path d="m 150 272 Q 214 86 28 150 Q 214 214 150 28 Q 86 214 272 150 Q 86 86 150 272 z" fill="rgb(104,221,114)" /></svg>)
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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.
M![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(227,72,246)" /><path d="m 150 559 Q 199 101 -259 150 Q 199 199 150 -259 Q 101 199 559 150 Q 101 101 150 559 z" fill="rgb(75,162,49)" /><path d="m 150 308 Q 73 227 -8 150 Q 73 73 150 -8 Q 227 73 308 150 Q 227 227 150 308 z" fill="rgb(180,93,206)" /><path d="m 150 206 Q 275 25 94 150 Q 275 275 150 94 Q 25 275 206 150 Q 25 25 150 206 z" fill="rgb(28,183,9)" /></svg>)
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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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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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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.
M -
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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.
AM -
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.
BB -
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!!
MD -
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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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