Reviews and travel ratings on Dolphin Watch Ecotours in New Zealand (86% from 27 reviews) Swim with Wild Dolphins in their natural environment of the calm sheltered waters of Marlborough Sounds, Scenic Wildlife & Nature Cruises and walks in Queen Charlotte Sound, Marlborough, Picton, New Zealand. TOURISM AWARD WINNER!

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  • Description

    Swim with Wild Dolphins in their natural environment of the calm sheltered waters of Marlborough Sounds, Scenic Wildlife & Nature Cruises and walks in Queen Charlotte Sound, Marlborough, Picton, New Zealand. TOURISM AWARD WINNER!

    Dolphin Swimming & Viewing- "Want to see Flipper...we'll show you Flipper" :
    Our Dolphin tours provide a wonderful opportunity to swim and view dolphins in calm and sheltered waters. You can expect to encounter bottlenose, dusky and rare Hector's dolphins. We also visit NZ fur seals and spot a variety of seabirds like blue penguins, Gannets and Shags on the water. Our knowledgeable skipper and guide will provide you with an informed and interesting commentary on the wildlife encountered along with local history of the Marlborough Sounds.
    Our success rate in finding Dolphins is 98%.

    Nature & Wildlife tour to Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary, Ship Cove or Bird Watchers Expedition:
    See the very best of the Marlborough Sounds by combining a scenic and informative Eco-Cruise about the wild life and the region, with a fascinating walk on either “Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary” or “Historic ship cove”. In the “Bird Watches Expedition” we’ll go extra lengths to ensure the viewing of the rare King Shag and SI Saddle back. You can expect to encounter dolphins, NZ fur seals while spotting a variety of seabirds like blue Penguins, Gannets and King Shags on the water. Our knowledgeable skipper and guide will provide you with an informed and interesting commentary on the wildlife encountered along with a bit of local history.

    Best of the Marlborough Sounds Wildlife, Nature & Art tour:
    Join us for a magical experience as we cruise through the southern parts of the Queen Charlotte Sounds! Sit back and relax as we explore and educate. Enjoy our majestic seabirds, feed the friendly fish and be delighted by the cheeky NZ Fur Seals! Our journey continues as we disembark at Lochmara Lodge, venturing through the native bush and being inspired by the art and wildlife wonderland! After a true ‘kiwi-ana’ morning tea and a little retail therapy, it’s time to cruise towards home, relaxing and reflecting.

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    Scenic Wildlife Cruises in the Marlborough Sounds

    Scenic Wildlife Cruises in the Marlborough Sounds

    Swimming With Dolphins (Flipper)

    Swimming With Dolphins (Flipper)

    Cruise & Walks on Motuara Island or Ship Cove

    Cruise & Walks on Motuara Island or Ship Cove

    Rare Hectors Dolphins

    Rare Hectors Dolphins

  • Location

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Traveller Tips

  1. Picton / Marlborough Sounds
  1. AlanN's avatar

    AlanN

    United Kingdom

    Marlborough Sound, Queen Charlotte Drive: Is this the best drive in the world?

    26 May 2010.

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Reviews for Dolphin Watch Ecotours

Dolphin Watch Ecotours
louisevan's avatar

Louise van der Hyden

New Zealand, Aotearoa

Ranking: 8/10

Sometimes you see dolphins, in the evening penguins. When there is sun and wind its wonderful at the beach.

Sometimes you see dolphins, in the evening penguins. When there is sun and wind its wonderful at the beach.

Reviewed 9 months ago and experienced in March 2011

Dolphin Watch Ecotours
claudiajackson's avatar

Claudia Jackson and Geoffroy van Roelenbosch

England

Ranking: 8/10

Good guides who did their best to give us a good experience,however the dolphins were not very friendly on the day.

Good guides who did their best to give us a good experience,however the dolphins were not very friendly on the day.

Reviewed 21 April 2011

Dolphin Watch Ecotours
thomasgermany's avatar

Thomas

Germany

Ranking: 10/10

Small group of customers.

Small group of customers.

Reviewed 19 April 2011

Dolphin Watch Ecotours
jackiem's avatar

Jackie MacRostie

United Kingdom

Ranking: 9/10

Guide very enthusiastic, made it fun. Tried hard to make sure our kids had a good time.

Guide very enthusiastic, made it fun. Tried hard to make sure our kids had a good time.

Reviewed 11 April 2011

Dolphin Watch Ecotours
CarolynDawn's avatar

CarolynDawn

New Zealand, Aotearoa

Ranking: 10/10

What a magical time, had a woonderful morning cruising the sounds and then swimming with the Bottlenose Dolphins. Very i…

What a magical time, had a woonderful morning cruising the sounds and then swimming with the Bottlenose Dolphins. Very impressed by the company's knowledge and attitude towards the dolphins and respecting their freedom. Very different to my experiences in Mexico with dolphins! Amazing in the water and very lucky that the dolphins wanted to play! Special, a big THANKYOU Dolphin Watch!

Reviewed 11 months ago and experienced in October 2010

Dolphin Watch Ecotours
TonB's avatar

Ton Buil

Netherlands

Ranking: 10/10

Small group, personal attention, enthusiastic guides, experienced.

Small group, personal attention, enthusiastic guides, experienced.

Reviewed almost 2 years ago and experienced in November 2009

Dolphin Watch Ecotours
Roeder's avatar

Roeder Grit

Germany

Ranking: 10/10

Trip was even longer as booked (more than one hour!!) because there was so much wildlife to see in the sounds. Guided wa…

Trip was even longer as booked (more than one hour!!) because there was so much wildlife to see in the sounds. Guided walk on Motoua Island with a lot of birds and beautiful views.

Reviewed almost 2 years ago and experienced in November 2009

Dolphin Watch Ecotours
djrogers's avatar

djrogers

Ranking: 10/10

Even if there hadn't have been so much wildlife, the skipper and guide made the trip a memorbale one. The guides knowle…

Even if there hadn't have been so much wildlife, the skipper and guide made the trip a memorbale one. The guides knowledge of the flora and fauna was excellent. She worked hard.

Reviewed 03 February 2010

Dolphin Watch Ecotours
seakins's avatar

Julie Seakins

England

Ranking: 9/10

We did the Motuara Island eco cruise. The guides were very knowledgable and interesting. We saw dusky dolphins and bottl…

We did the Motuara Island eco cruise. The guides were very knowledgable and interesting. We saw dusky dolphins and bottlenose dolphins, the king shag and lots of other birds. The island was lovely with a stunning view from the top of the island. A great trip for all ages.

Reviewed 11 January 2010

Dolphin Watch Ecotours
lance's avatar

Lance

United Kingdom

Ranking: 10/10

A very interactive cruise and we got to see killer whales and rare Hector's dolphins before walking on Motuara Island to…

A very interactive cruise and we got to see killer whales and rare Hector's dolphins before walking on Motuara Island to see the little penguins. These guys really know their stuff and as far as kiwi experiences go - a perfect 10!

Reviewed over 2 years ago and experienced in March 2009

Dolphin Watch Ecotours
KarinB's avatar

KarinB

Denmark

Ranking: 8/10

No dolphins to swim with.

No dolphins to swim with.

Reviewed almost 3 years ago and experienced in February 2009

Dolphin Watch Ecotours
CarolineR's avatar

CarolineR

Netherlands

Ranking: 9/10

Same as carino, we really liked the ECO thinking of this company.

Same as carino, we really liked the ECO thinking of this company.

Reviewed 02 April 2009

Dolphin Watch Ecotours
pavelv's avatar

Pavel

Czech Republic

Ranking: 9/10

Professionals. If you pay for swimming with dolphins & there aren't any, they refund you the money.

Professionals. If you pay for swimming with dolphins & there aren't any, they refund you the money.

Reviewed 23 February 2009