Home » New Zealand » Swimming With Dolphins in Kaikoura November 18, 2004

Having caught the three-hour ferry across the Cook Strait to Picton, we drove to the "warm" northeast of the South Island to picturesque Kaikoura. I say "warm" in that it didn't rain, and the sun shone steadily.
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Swimming With Dolphins in Kaikoura November 18, 2004

Ttrealtravels
2005-12-26 15:47:36

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of dolphins hung out with all of us. The staff said dolphins found sound and songs interesting, so I started to hum a tune. The only song that came to my head was "Oh Canada," so I hummed that in a high pitch through my snorkel. And the dolphins seemed to like it.

The dolphins swam very close to us, all around. Then one started to circle me. The staff also said that dolphins like to swim in circles with people. I tried to keep up with this dolphin's mad pace, humming the Canadian national anthem all the time. It was so much fun! The dolphin kept me going in circles, playing with me, teasing me. Then it went away and let me catch my breath. Another one (or maybe the same?) came and had its turn spinning me around. And then a third time! Wow!

Unfortunately, all of the quick spinning around in the water, prefaced by the somewhat choppy boat ride, finally got to me, despite having taken Dramamine before hand. I didn't get sick, but I sure felt it by the last swim and came in early. Nonetheless, my queasiness didn't ruin anything. The experience was still incredible, and I'd do it again for sure.

The staff really knew what they were doing, and that last swim was just fantastic. That might be the highlight of the entire trip so far and easily one of the most incredible, unique experiences of our lives.

I pitied the non-swimmers, who just looked cold and miserable. We were cold, but we all had stunned looks of sheer wonder on our faces that lasted quite some time. Even after the final swim, we followed the dolphins around for another 20 minutes as they playfully romped around the boat, jumping and somersaulting. What an amazing experience!

These dolphins seemed to really enjoy playing with us humans. It was such a privilege for them to grace us with their play. I can't believe these beautiful, graceful, wild creatures wanted to be near us. It was such a privilege, such a wonderful gift. Wild animals took an interest in us humans. Everything was on their terms. They came to us out of their own free will. These were not tamed dolphins. They didn't do tricks for food, they weren't lured in by anything but their own curiosity about our noises and actions. I sang for the dolphins, and they came to play.

People always say swimming with dolphins is "magical," and jaded me thought that was bunk. I also thought that the dolphins wouldn't really want to get that close to humans. But I am very happy to admit was I wrong! It was magical. The dolphins did want to be near people. These were totally wild dolphins that were just interested in us funny-looking, slow-moving things in the water. It only lasted about 15 minutes at the longest, but it was most definitely the thrill of a lifetime.