We use cookies to provide you with a better experience on this site. Despite their name, pilot whales are in fact one of the largest members of the dolphin family. Hector’s dolphins are among the world’s smallest marine dolphins, growing to around 1.5m in length. dolphins in their natural habitat. Be safe and be kind.
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Nine different species of dolphin are found around the New Zealand coast, including Hector's, Māui and bottlenose dolphins.
Dolphins are large, gentle, intelligent creatures who seem to seek out human company, playing, frolicking, even communicating. Dives can last up to 8 minutes but are usually between 10 seconds and 2 minutes. Hector’s Dolphins are one of the smallest dolphins in the world, and it is also one of the rarest. Face coverings are encouraged on our tours but are not mandatory. Keep browsing if you're happy with this. Swimming with dolphins is a life-changing experience A dusky mum has a calf every 2-3 years. They are known to dive to depths of 280 metres in search of prey and hunt cooperatively within schools. One of the most spectacular leaps performed by the duskies is its trademark somersault and the duskies will often repeat these acrobatic leaps time and again.
There is only one place on the planet where you can take part in the most unique adventure of a lifetime and swim with the worlds smallest and rarest dolphin – the Hector or New Zealand Dolphin – and that is the beautiful setting of Akaroa Harbour in New Zealand’s South Island. We ask that you maintain good hygiene by making use of hand sanitiser placed around our facilities. New Zealand has many dolphin species and swimming with dolphins is considered by many visitors to this country one of the best experiences they’ve had. There’s the smaller dusky dolphin is less than two metres long but very playful.
Call 0800 DOC HOT ( 0800 362 468 ) immediately if you see a southern right whale, Māui dolphin or stranded marine mammal.
Known to grow up to a length of up to 3m and weigh in at around 100kg. There are many dolphin watching and swimming tours. Breaching, belly-flopping, side-slapping and lob-tailing (slapping the flukes on the water surface) have been witnessed. Nine different species of dolphin are found around the New Zealand coast, including Hector's, Māui and bottlenose dolphins. We also use cookies to show you the best of New Zealand on other platforms. Swimming with one of New Zealand's many dolphin species is considered one of the country's best experiences. The species was scientifically described by Belgian zoologist Pierre-Joseph van Beneden in 1881. Watching Kaikoura's dusky dolphins has a uniqueness all of its own. Immerse yourself in their world with Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura, an unforgettable experience in one of New Zealand’s most breath-taking destinations. Your browser does not support iframes. He examined the first specimen found of the dolphin. Dolphins are notoriously friendly so they do often choose to get very close to swimmers. The dolphins won't be harrased or disturbed, and pods with young calves will be left alone. Find out about the bottlenose dolphins and the impact humans are having on this species. Download the Whale Watch Kaikoura Mobile App The dusky dolphins are believed to be amongst the most acrobatic of the dolphin species, often spectacular leaps, jumps, side slaps, back flips and lobtails are seen.
You feel privileged. They are also known to associate with schools of pilot whales and other dolphin species such as dusky dolphins which we have witnessed many times off the Kaikōura coastline. Widespread in the rest of Australasia this large 'Flipper' dolphin makes only occasional appearances in Kaikōura. They can grow up to around 1.8 meters in length, at birth measuring in at around 50cm. Need more information? Common dolphins may form enormous schools of several hundred to a thousand individuals. Tutumairekurai is the most common of the Māori names for Hector's dolphin, meaning special ocean dweller. Hector’s and Māui dolphin are known to Māori by other names… The NZ DOC (Department of Conservation) has strict rules about getting close to marine life and the companies who offer dolphin watching or swimming tours are very good at sticking to them. Only found in New Zealand’s waters, this distinctive grey dolphin with black and white markings and a round dorsal fin is the most easily recognised species of dolphin in New Zealand. How to report dolphin sightings .
Biodiversity inventory and monitoring toolbox. In Kaikōura they are often seen close to shore in small family pods of 4 to 8 individuals. They are all different but the encounters are never less than special. Want to discover more? Check out what other travelers say about New Zealand on TripAdvisor.