Reviews and travel ratings on Seal Swim Kaikoura in New Zealand (85% from 34 reviews) Swim with wild New Zealand fur seals in the shallow bays of the beautiful Kaikoura Peninsula. This is an experience you do not want to miss! No experience necessary.

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  • Description

    Swim with wild New Zealand fur seals in the shallow bays of the beautiful Kaikoura Peninsula. This is an experience you do not want to miss! No experience necessary.

    Seal Swim Kaikoura's base of operation is conveniently located right in the main street of Kaikoura. It is here that you will meet and be introduced to your guides and the other swimmers on the tour. You will be provided with warm, buoyant wet suits and snorkeling equipment before being transported to one of Seal Swim Kaikoura custom seal swimming boats.

    Your skipper and guide will then accompany you on a very short boat trip, around the stunning Kaikoura Peninsula, to one of SSK's favorite seal swimming areas. This is a treat in itself. Before entering the water your guides will tell you all about New Zealand fur seals and 'seal swimming etiquette'.

    Upon entering the water, time will be allowed for you to familiarize yourself with equipment and instruction will be given on aspects of snorkeling. One to two experienced guides, equipped with large floats will then accompany each group, of max 11 swimmersin the water. This is of great benefit to swimmers who are not so comfortable in the water. Guides are trained to help you and make you feel more comfortable. They've even been know to hold swimmers hands!

    Every tour is different but generally 1 to 1 1/2 hours is spent in the water. Seal Swim Kaikoura has a 96% success rate of travellers swimming with 3 metres of seals in the water. If you do not get to swim with seals at close proximity a 50% refund applies.

    Many people have told us that there seal swimming experience was one of the highlights of their travel here in New Zealand. For more information visit our website.

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  1. General
  1. maggie  Webster's avatar

    maggie Webster

    United Kingdom

    Do lots of research before you come. Take advice from those who know. Be prepared to ask questions and ask for help. N. Zealanders are very helpful and friendly. Need lots of bugspray. Sandflies are evil, especially when chilling out on beaches on the West Coast such as Gillespies Beach

    24 May 2010.

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Reviews for Seal Swim Kaikoura

Seal Swim Kaikoura
Mark's avatar

Mark

Germany

Ranking: 10/10

A lot more fun than swimming with dolphins. If I would have to devicide between these two, I would choose this.
Good or…

A lot more fun than swimming with dolphins. If I would have to devicide between these two, I would choose this.
Good organization, good spot, I would do this again.

Reviewed 11 months ago and experienced in February 2011

Seal Swim Kaikoura
joke's avatar

joke

Belgium

Ranking: 8/10

Very well organised but still relaxed atmosphere. The captain took an effort to bring us to a nice seal swim spot.

Very well organised but still relaxed atmosphere. The captain took an effort to bring us to a nice seal swim spot.

Reviewed 26 April 2011

Seal Swim Kaikoura
Veronica Warren's avatar

Veronica Warren

Australia

Ranking: 9/10

Good day out, great people and just the right amount of time.

Good day out, great people and just the right amount of time.

Reviewed 12 April 2011

Seal Swim Kaikoura
Michael Howat's avatar

Michael Howat

Australia

Ranking: 10/10

Great fun and luckily had perfect weather. Price also very reasonable, only recommendation is adding the potential choic…

Great fun and luckily had perfect weather. Price also very reasonable, only recommendation is adding the potential choice of tour photos (especially underwater photos) with extra cost of course.

Reviewed 12 April 2011

Seal Swim Kaikoura
Nicolas's avatar

Nicolas

France

Ranking: 10/10

Excellent and friendly.

Excellent and friendly.

Reviewed 28 March 2011

Seal Swim Kaikoura
Tyson Burnett's avatar

Tyson Burnett

New Zealand

Ranking: 10/10

Excellent price. Great guys that are very helpful.

Excellent price. Great guys that are very helpful.

Reviewed 24 March 2011

Seal Swim Kaikoura
Seifert's avatar

Seifert

Germany

Ranking: 10/10

Grandios, exciting.

Grandios, exciting.

Reviewed 21 March 2011

Seal Swim Kaikoura
Christine Wirth's avatar

Christine Wirth

Germany

Ranking: 9/10

Small group, very good tour guide.

Small group, very good tour guide.

Reviewed 02 March 2011

Seal Swim Kaikoura
efusco's avatar

efusco

United States

Ranking: 10/10

Wow! I just got back from this and feel compelled to share the experience.

We had a 1:45 check in time, but they knew …

Wow! I just got back from this and feel compelled to share the experience.

We had a 1:45 check in time, but they knew right way they were running a little behind and advised we return at 2:00. At 2:00 we came in on the conversation that the primary site was rough and had poor visibility and that they would like to change to a secondary site, but that would mean a 30 min delay. Since we had nothing else planned and wanted the best possible experience we opted for the wait.

At 2:30 they got all 5 of us (myself, my wife, my twin 11 year old boys and my 6 year old daughter) suited up in thick wet suits, all of good quality, complete with hoods, good quality snorkels and masks, and fins. We jumped on a custom made bus clearly designed to haul sopping wet passengers.

It was wise to wait for the second site. A short ride in a nice boat to the seal rookery and we were in the cold water, but quickly we warmed up in the wet suits, and there were seals around us within a minute. There were a total of about 12 people on the trip.

We spent a full hour in the water and nearly all of the time was contact time with the seals. We were in their natural environment, in the ocean, but in an area with calm clear water. Around us we saw cormorants, albatrosses, and even little penguins. We'd actually had enough time in the water and got out on our own before they suggested we come back in.

This is a family run business and they really do know their stuff. They clearly care about the seals and giving everyone a good experience. I think this is an opportunity, if you're in the area, that everyone should consider high on their list. The price is reasonable, and it's an opportunity that may not be here forever.

Reviewed 21 February 2011

Seal Swim Kaikoura
stowie's avatar

stowie

United Kingdom

Ranking: 10/10

Fantastic !!!! The Crew are all friendly informative and helpful. They are more interested in you enjoying the experie…

Fantastic !!!! The Crew are all friendly informative and helpful. They are more interested in you enjoying the experience than the money. My trip was warm water most of the time. The seals came fast and friendly swimming around and playing with you. This is a real must do experience - worth every penny and more !!!! The equipment is good condition and quality and the warm shower at the end a welcome plus.

Reviewed 02 February 2011

Seal Swim Kaikoura
Ulric's avatar

Ulric

France

Ranking: 8/10

A good organization and a great experience even if we have suffered from the cold water.

A good organization and a great experience even if we have suffered from the cold water.

Reviewed 23 February 2010

Seal Swim Kaikoura
Jenny Davies's avatar

Jenny Davies

United Kingdom

Ranking: 8/10

Staff helpful.

Staff helpful.

Reviewed about 2 years ago and experienced in November 2009

Seal Swim Kaikoura
Kimberly Skyes's avatar

Kimberly Skyes

United States

Ranking: 8/10

Also very interesting and well run.

Also very interesting and well run.

Reviewed about 2 years ago and experienced in November 2009