Dolphin Encounter and Wildlife Tours - Dolphin Seafaris

4.9
83
Deals from $105.00 Save $60.00 Check datescalendar_month
Experience the magic of a wild dolphin encounter on this 5-hour tour!

Experience the magic of a wild dolphin encounter on this 5-hour tour!

Highlights

  • Experience the magic of watching dolphins in their natural habitat
  • Get up close views of other marine life such as whales, seals and penguins
  • Spacious and comfortable catamaran
  • Swim with the dolphins - conditions permitting
  • 95% dolphin sighting success rate!

This is the trip of a lifetime for nature and animal lovers! Get up close to magnificent dolphins, whales and seals on board our state of the art catamaran.

Enjoy watching huge pods of common dolphins as they play and swim in their natural environment from the spacious deck. Our experienced wildlife guides have a wealth of knowledge and will ensure a fun and informative tour.

Our trips are highly successful with dolphins being spotted majority of the time and we offer a "Dolphin Guarantee" which allows you a return trip for free on another day if there were no sightings.

The Bay of Plenty is home to a spectacular array of marine life and we often see orca whales, fur seals, blue penguins and albatross during the winter months..

You may get the opportunity to swim with the dolphins but this cannot be guaranteed due to regulations by the Department of Conservation. We swim with them about 85% of the time when it is legal and ethical to do so. We always respect the dolphins space but as they are naturally curious they do like to come and say hello. Wetsuits and snorkelling equipment will be provided.

Book today to secure your spot on this not to be missed tour!

Adult $165.00 (Aged 15+)
Child $125.00 (Aged up to 14 years)
Family $550.00 (2x Adults + 2x Children)

What's included

  • 5-hour dolphin watching cruise
  • Swimming with dolphins - conditions permitting
  • Hot drinks

Duration

  • Allow approximately 5 hours for the whole experience

Location

  • Tauranga Bridge Marina, Berth D1, 101 Te Awanui Drive,
  • Tauranga, Bay of Plenty.

Restrictions

  • Minimum age for swimming with dolphins is 7 years old and subject to sea conditions.

Child Friendly

  • This experience welcomes families with children.

Bad Weather Refunds

  • If your experience is cancelled by the operator (because of the bad weather, safety concerns, unscheduled maintenance etc) you will be entitled to a full refund.

Notes

  • All our tours are weather dependent and a minimum number of 10 passengers is required.

    Our Winter Tours (June to October) meet at 10am for departure.

    For our Summer Tours (November to May) please arrive at 8.45am for your Dolphin Encounter which will depart at 9am promptly.

  • Dolphin Guarantee - Our guarantee is that if we do not find any dolphins for you, will give you a free return trip out with us. This offer has no expiration date, but can only be used by you and you will need to call to pre-book your tour.

Available Bookings from 11 Feb to 24 Feb 2026

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Change Dates
Wed 11 Feb
Thu 12 Feb
Fri 13 Feb
Sat 14 Feb
Sun 15 Feb
Mon 16 Feb
Tue 17 Feb
Wed 18 Feb
Thu 19 Feb
Fri 20 Feb
Sat 21 Feb
Sun 22 Feb
Mon 23 Feb
Tue 24 Feb

  • Adult$132.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$125.00
  • Family$550.00

  • Adult$132.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$125.00
  • Family$550.00

  • Adult$132.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$125.00
  • Family$550.00

  • Adult$105.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$125.00
  • Family$550.00

  • Adult$105.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$125.00
  • Family$550.00

  • Adult$105.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$125.00
  • Family$550.00

  • Adult$105.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$125.00
  • Family$550.00

  • Adult$105.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$125.00
  • Family$550.00

  • Adult$105.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$125.00
  • Family$550.00

  • Adult$105.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$125.00
  • Family$550.00

  • Adult$105.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$125.00
  • Family$550.00

  • Adult$105.00 Less than 6 at this price!
  • Child$125.00
  • Family$550.00
Very good Disappointed 🥲 Amazing Amazing Super duper boat trip
1 / 30
appsShow all photos

Authenticated Reviews & Photos All of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

4.9

83 reviews

Showing all 83 authenticated Bookme reviews

Patty Carlson from New Zealand wrote on 15 January 2025

So much fun!!

Our time in the water was excellent with Dolphin Seafaris! We saw lots of dolphins, and even though we couldn’t swim with them, we got to see so many babies which was very special. Great tour, awesome Skipper and crew, and I felt it was great value for the money! Highly recommend! Thanks guys!

verifiedVerified purchase ios_shareShare link to review

V. from New Zealand wrote on 05 February 2026

Amazing

Incredible experience. The dolphins were busy travelling so we couldn't swim with them, but just getting to see them upclose was absolutely worth it.

verifiedVerified purchase ios_shareShare link to review

David Steer from New Zealand wrote on 28 January 2026

WOW

A beautiful day watching dolphins on a lovely boat with a great crew who kept us informed about what was happening. A great way to learn about dolphins and see the in there natural habitat, it will definitely be a day that we never forget.

verifiedVerified purchase ios_shareShare link to review

aaronm23 from New Zealand wrote on 27 January 2026

An adventure

We seen dolphins! Sunfish, this was truly amazing, well worth the money.

verifiedVerified purchase ios_shareShare link to review

Lawrence from New Zealand wrote on 18 January 2026

Triple the Dolphins, Triple the Fun

What an incredible day on the water! We were lucky enough to encounter not one, but three separate pods of dolphins, including a tiny baby. The crew was the standout—super energetic, incredibly supportive, and provided fantastic commentary throughout the trip. While some shark sightings meant we couldn't get in the water for a swim, seeing so many dolphins in their natural habitat was still a phenomenal experience. Highly recommend this team for a great day out!

verifiedVerified purchase ios_shareShare link to review

close

Booking

10:00 a.m.Thursday 13 July

12

Adult Aged 15+

Child Aged up to 14 years

Family 2x Adults + 2x Children

*This option must be made together with another price type.
close

Qualmark

When you see the Qualmark logo, your activity of choice is endorsed by New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation and backed by leaders in the industry. It's your trusted guide to iconic activities and experiences that are awarded for their exceptionally high level of quality, safety and sustainability.

Qualmark Gold

This award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand. It denotes exceptional customer experiences at the heart of everything the company does. This business is leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.

Qualmark Silver

This award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure the business's focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create genuine, constantly evolving and sustainable tourism experiences.

Qualmark Bronze

The Qualmark Bronze award recognizes a business that operates with a high level of professionalism, is mindful of its environmental impact, and is dedicated to putting customers first.

close

Review Photos

close

Property Photos

close

Where to?

Popular New Zealand Destinations

  • Fiji Islands - Viti Levu - Mamanucas
  • Cairns - Port Douglas
  • Queenstown - Southern Lakes - Fiordland
  • Whitsundays - Airlie Beach - Townsville
  • Rotorua - Taupo - Waitomo
  • Auckland - Waiheke Island - Warkworth
  • Melbourne
  • Sydney
  • West Coast - Glacier Country
  • K`gari (Fraser Island) - Hervey Bay - Town of 1770
  • Christchurch - Canterbury - Kaikoura
  • Gold Coast
  • Abel Tasman - Nelson - Picton
  • Northland - Bay of Islands
  • Newcastle - Port Stephens - Hunter Valley
  • Noosa - Mooloolaba - Sunshine Coast
  • Dunedin - Coastal Otago - Oamaru
  • BOP - Tauranga - Maunganui - Whakatane
  • Wellington - Wairarapa
  • Perth & Western Australia
  • Coromandel Peninsula - Great Barrier Island
  • Greater Adelaide and Barossa Valley
  • Hamilton & Raglan - Waikato
  • Brisbane
  • Gisborne - East Cape to Mahia
  • Tasmania - Hobart and Surrounds
  • Hawkes Bay - Napier & Hastings
  • Taranaki - New Plymouth
  • Canberra
  • Manawatu - Whanganui to Masterton & Martinborough
  • Southland & Te Anau
close

Search

close

Bookme Lists

close

Ask a Question