PADDLING WITH DOLPHINS IN KAIKOURA

Updated: Sep 22

For a paddle filled with marine life, grab your SUP and head straight to Kaikōura.

Picture this: a breathtaking backdrop of mountains framing a stunning big sheltered bay, and paddling alongside hundreds of dolphins jumping and playing around your paddleboard.

Kaikōura, nestled on the eastern coast of New Zealand's South Island, has the reputation of being one of the best places in the world to encounter dolphins in their natural environment. So, it has been high up on my paddle list to get out on the water here and cross all fingers for a magical encounter.

You will find them here all year round but autumn is a time when dolphins come out to play, full of curiosity and showing off to each other, gleefully enjoying life. And goodness me, it was beyond my wildest dreams!

THE dolphin ENCOUNTER

I sat on the beach with my SUP, ready to get on the water at 7am at South Bay, a big sheltered bay south of the Kaikōura peninsula. As I waited, I couldn't contain my excitement. I knew that local dolphins headed into the bay after spending the night in the shelters of the nearby Kowhai River. And then it happened. Looking out at the water, at 7:30am, the bay started to slowly fill with dorsel fins of pods of dusky and hector dolphins around the bay.

I hopped on the water on my paddleboard, and started paddling in the large bay, keeping my distance. Dolphins are wild animals to be respected and not approached. If they want to, they will come to you.

As they approached, their playful energy was infectious. With each stroke of my paddle, the more curious and cheeky they were. The faster I paddled, the more wanted to join me, taking it in turns to draft under my paddleboard. One by one, they would swim under my board for as long as possible, then letting another come in and take their place gliding under the nose of my board.

Hector dolphins are only found in New Zealand and are the rarest and smallest dolphins in the world (identified by the rounded dorsel fin), with a population of around 7000 dolphins. Dusky dolphins are believed to be the most playful and acrobatic species - with their trademark somersault! They were not shy, with leaps, side slaps, back flips and jumps across the bay, and around me. And I wasn't disappointed!

Surrounded by these incredible creatures, they danced beneath me, leaping out of the water in pure joy and grace. I laughed, I cried, I told them my secrets. I stayed in the bay for hours, paddling up and down and around until I finally came in 6 hours later, and watched them carry on leaping and bounding from the beach. As I paddled alongside these dolphins, I felt such a deep connection to the ocean and these amazing mammals - and I felt overwhelmed with tears of joy and feelings of awe and wonder at these pure moments in nature. Thank you to all the dolphins I met that day for giving me that amazing experience I will never forget!

Paddleboarding with dolphins in Kaikoura, New Zealand

TIPS FOR PADDLING WITH DOLPHINS

Respect their Space

Whilst it's tempting to get up close and personal, it's vital to give the dolphins plenty of space and do not chase them. Follow Department of Conservation guidance on marine mammals. Let them approach you on their terms. Do not circle them, obstruct their path or cut through any group. You can be fined for sent to prison for harassing and disturbing marine mammals.

Stay Calm and Enjoy the Moment

Dolphins are incredibly perceptive animals. Keep your movements calm and gentle to avoid startling them and don't interfere in their personal space.

Practice Safety First

Always wear a personal flotation device and be mindful of your surroundings. The ocean can be unpredictable, so it's essential to prioritize safety at all times.

Capture the Moment

Don't forget to bring a waterproof camera or GoPro to capture the magic of your dolphin encounter. Trust me; you'll want to relive the experience again and again.

Report Anything that Doesn't Look Right

Call the DOC hotline or complete their Mammal Sighting form if you see anything unusual or mammals in distress or harmed.

Paddleboarding, canoeing or kayaking with dolphins in Kaikōura is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will leave you feeling awestruck. It's a reminder of the beauty and wonder that exists within our natural world – and the importance of protecting it for future generations to enjoy. But, as is the way with nature, it's unplanned and spontaneous and you never know what is going to happen - which is part of the magic!

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your paddleboard and embark on your own dolphin adventure in Kaikōura.

route

PADDLING INFO for kaikoura

RATING

Beginner Friendly

ROUTE & conditions

South Bay is a big bay that opens into Gooch Bay which offers protection from northerly and easterly winds. You want a nice calm day with a calm sea state to explore on your kayak or SUP in the bay. Typically in the summer, onshore winds pick up as the day heats up so the early morning window is usually best for the calmest conditions. In the bay, you can paddle at all tides without too much tidal flow affecting your paddle.
If you wish to explore around the Kaikoura peninsula, you can paddle up past the Kaikoura marina and stay close to the rocks for protection from the swell and wind, and explore within the rocky peninsula, weaving in between rocky outcrops. As you head along the peninsula, this is more affected by the tidal flow so time your paddle to paddle with the direction of the tide. If the conditions are calm, you can circumnavigate the peninsula, but beware that onshore swell can be big on the rocks. Paddling here at high tide is better, and make sure you check the Kaikoura tide times first.
Kaikoura is a known surfing spot on the east coast, so getting the right conditions is key! If you are hoping for some SUP surf, check out Mangamaunu, and more places to catch some waves in this Surfing in Kaikoura guide - and if you are lucky, you might be riding waves alongside dolphins too!

WHERE TO PARK & LAUNCH

Parking is available all around the beach front at South Bay along South Bay Parade with multiple car parking spots and beach entry points. Parking is free and without time restriction, except for no overnight parking. There is a Freedom Camping spot with a big car park on the beach front in South Bay that is a great launch spot to explore South Bay and Gooch Bay.
You can launch by walking into the water from the beach, which is accessible south of the Kaikoura marina at all tides. No permits are needed for non motorised crafts (paddlesports).

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK

You've got to head to the Kaikōura Seafood BBQ Kiosk (55 Fyffe Quay, Kaikōura Peninsula, Kaikōura 7300) for some delicious crayfish, lobster, seafood platters and more, right on the sea front on the Kaikōura peninsula. With a pop up bar and gelato stall also out on sunny days, this is a cracking spot out of the main town.

WHERE TO SLEEP

There are a number of Freedom Camping spots in Kaikōura, which are strictly regulated so do follow the rules and check the map for locations.
The Point Campsite offers a B&B and Campsite right on the beach front on the Kaikōura Peninsula for a stunning setting to watch seals on your doorstep.

LOCAL INFO

With boat and kayak tours aplenty in Kaikōura, there are lots of ways to explore the water. Abundant with New Zealand fur seals, dolphins - dusky dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, Hector dolphins, and whales - killer whales, sperm whales, humpback whales and Southern right whales.
Sperm whales are both residents and migratory and other whales species migrate through between April to July from colder feeding waters to warmer breeding grounds.
Dolphins are most playful and in bigger pods in Autumn (April - May) so this is a great time to visit and get on the water. Their pod size can range from 80 - 100 or even more in the winter months.
You can't go to Kaikoura without spotting a seal! So make sure you respect them on the water as well as on the land - and don't get closer than 20m, giving them lots of space to bask and play.
Don't have a paddleboard with you? Get on the water with a special sunrise, sunset or daily tour with the awesome team at Kaikōura Kayaks.
For more info about visiting Kaikōura, check out their Kaikoura visitor information.