Swimming with New Zealand's many dolphin species is considered one of the country's best experiences.
New Zealand has different species of dolphin that are found around the coast, including Hector's, Māui and bottlenose dolphins. They are gentle, intelligent creatures who seem to seek out human company when you encounter them.
Dolphins can be spotted in the wild year-round in New Zealand, but the peak time is during the warmer months from December to March.
Under the Marine Mammals Protection Regulations 1992 it is an offence to harass, disturb, injure, or kill marine mammals. Please visit the Department of Conservation(opens in new window) for more information on how to have an enjoyable and safe encounter with dolphins.
Orca are the largest of the dolphin family, and about 150-200 orca reside around New Zealand's coastline.
The common dolphin is very distinctive with a criss-cross or hour-glass type pattern centred on the flanks. Colours include purplish black, grey, white and yellowish tan.
The bottlenose dolphin has dark or light grey on the back grading to white on the undersides, although their colour and shape can be variable.
The smaller dusky dolphin, less than two metres long is equally as playful. And then there’s the Hector’s dolphin, one of the world’s smallest and rarest dolphins found only in our waters.
There are many tours and experiences across New Zealand and every encounter is special in its own special way. The cruise operators take extraordinary care to make sure that the dolphins are not harmed, and in many operations, part of the tour price goes towards dolphin conservation.
