Picton - The E-Ko Dolphin Swimming Tour

Posted by Michael from Germany on 10 Jan 2023

arrow_back Picton - The E-Ko Dolphin Swimming Tour

Michael said... On my tour on the 09.01.2023 we had no luck in seeing thus swimming with dolphins. Which is ok, because dolphins are wild animals and the tour operator is not in control where the dolphins are at the time of the tour. So I don't blame the operator on not seeing/ swimming with dolphins. But what I think is not ok is the refund policy in such cases. On our tour we drove around in the Marlborough Sounds, had some sightings of birds and seals. And to get wet at least a bit we did some snorkeling at the end of the tour, where you could basically see just blue cods which were attracted by the crew feeding them. So for this experience you have to pay still 110 NZD out of the 180 regular or discounted fares. This experience you can get cheaper by booking a normal sightseeing tour in the Sounds, the views you get also when you take the ferry between the North and South Island and seals you can see in the South Islands in many places for free. If you wanna do swimming with dolphins, I recommend doing it in Kaikoura or Akaroa, not in Picton, especially in the summer. Even a staff member said there are not so many dolphins in the Marlborough Sounds in the summer. In Kaikoura you pay a bit more, 220 NZD, but have to pay only 60 NZD in the end if no dolphins are seen on the tour.