Wild Dolphin Encounter in Tauranga
Overview
Join this tour for a must-do, once-in-a-lifetime adventure with friendly dolphins in their natural habitat!
Admire wild common dolphins from the boat and, in some cases, get in the water with these beautiful creatures. This is a half-day trip departing from Tauranga Bridge Marina aboard the comfortable catamaran The Guardian, with an expert crew providing live commentary on the animals' behaviour and life history, as well as any support you may need throughout the tour.
Our summer dolphin encounter tours operate from November to May, weather and passenger numbers permitting.
What's Included
- Tea and Coffee
- Live commentary on board
- Sightseeing dolphin cruise
- Professional guide
- Meals Please bring your own packed lunch and softdrinks
- T-shirts available to purchase
Meeting Location
Tauranga Bridge Marina State Highway 2
Berth D1/Harbour Bridge Causeway, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Join us for a memorable day out at sea, encountering wild dolphins in the Bay of Plenty. The dolphins we have in the Bay of Plenty are very curious and playful, and they often like to hang around the boat and watch us while we watch them. In some cases (around 70% of our trips), we allow guests to enter the water with them. We are fortunate to be permitted by the Department of Conservation to offer this experience in the Bay of Plenty. Whether guests are able to enter the water depends on several factors, including weather conditions, the behaviour of the dolphins, and the presence of juveniles within the pod.
We can take up to 8 people in the water at a time, holding onto the swim bars while the boat moves slowly. It is a magical experience to be in the water with these incredible creatures, and this is the only way to keep up with them, as they can swim at speeds of up to 25 km/h.
Our expert crew of Wildlife Guides will ensure your trip with us is a fantastic experience and a highlight of your visit to the region. We provide all equipment, including wetsuits, masks, and snorkels, give a full briefing for those entering the water, and also include hot drinks and fresh fruit.
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travellers with mobility constraints
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- All trips are subject to weather and minimum booking numbers and will be confirmed at 5pm the day before the tour.
- Trips operate with a 24-hour non refundable cancellation policy.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
- Children must be over 7 to swim with dolphins and be confident swimmers in the ocean.
- Only confident and capable swimmers are allowed in the water, no exceptions.
- As this is a genuine wildlife experience, dolphin sightings cannot be guaranteed. If dolphins are not found, we will provide you with a complimentary return trip with no expiry date, allowing you to join us again free of charge.
- Tours operate with full vessel, crew, and fuel costs regardless of sightings, refunds are not available.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (10)
Q: Do we get to swim with or touch the dolphins?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-17517P1
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.71 out of 5 stars based on 172 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (10)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
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As an active member of the Dolphin SMART program, we do not have physical contact with the dolphins on Wild Dolphin Encounter in Tauranga. We watch them in their natural habitat from the boat.
Dec 2022If you have any doubts about becoming seasick on the water, we recommend taking a Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief tablet the night before your trip. Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy.
Feb 2023- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (NZDT).
- This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- Tea and Coffee.
- Live commentary on board.
- Sightseeing dolphin cruise.
- Professional guide.
- Meals. Please bring your own packed lunch and softdrinks.
- T-shirts available to purchase.
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Wild Dolphin Encounter in Tauranga is as follows:
- Not recommended for travellers with mobility constraints
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Wild Dolphin Encounter in Tauranga will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Tea and Coffee
- Live commentary on board
- Sightseeing dolphin cruise
- Professional guide
- MealsPlease bring your own packed lunch and softdrinks
- T-shirts available to purchase
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travellers with mobility constraints
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- All trips are subject to weather and minimum booking numbers and will be confirmed at 5pm the day before the tour.
- Trips operate with a 24-hour non refundable cancellation policy.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
- Children must be over 7 to swim with dolphins and be confident swimmers in the ocean.
- Only confident and capable swimmers are allowed in the water, no exceptions.
- As this is a genuine wildlife experience, dolphin sightings cannot be guaranteed. If dolphins are not found, we will provide you with a complimentary return trip with no expiry date, allowing you to join us again free of charge.
- Tours operate with full vessel, crew, and fuel costs regardless of sightings, refunds are not available.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travelers
