Reviews and travel ratings on Dolphin Discoveries - Explore NZ in New Zealand (80% from 69 reviews) Cruise amongst the 144 islands where Dolphin watching is guaranteed. Travel through the world famous 'Hole in the Rock' or join us for the ultimate marine mammal eco-experience - Swimming with the dolphins.

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North Island > Northland > Paihia

Dolphin Discoveries - Explore NZ

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  1. Paihia
  1. Sallyo's avatar

    Sally

    New Zealand

    Go back in time to experience the colonial birthplace of New Zealand in the small, yet very busy town in the summer; Russell, where this countries founding document the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. This little town was for a short time the capital city of NZ. Easily accessed by both road and ferry from Paihia.

    19 November 2010.

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Reviews for Dolphin Discoveries - Explore...

Dolphin Discoveries - Explore NZ
nickvandebelt's avatar

Nick van de Belt

Netherlands

Ranking: 9/10

Did the swim with the dolphins. Great crew, good price and considering environmental DOC regulations.

Did the swim with the dolphins. Great crew, good price and considering environmental DOC regulations.

Reviewed 4 months ago and experienced in March 2011

Dolphin Discoveries - Explore NZ
bow's avatar

bow

United States

Ranking: 3/10

We were on the black and yellow catamaran:

We booked a trip based on our desire to swim with the dolphins. The weath…

We were on the black and yellow catamaran:

We booked a trip based on our desire to swim with the dolphins. The weather got a bit rough, and the pod of dolphins we saw had a youngster. Therefore, in the end, we neither got to swim with the dolphins, nor see the promised Hole in the Rock. Basically, the crew on the boat is friendly, but it seems that these smile occur as the company is ripping you off. We aimlessly cruised the islands, saw one pod of dolphins that actually found us, and observed as the somewhat disinterested crew played cards and, for the most part, took the lack of a full boat to mean it was their leisure time. It was clear that we were not going to find another pod to swim with simply because there was no effort on the part of the crew to do so.
Interestingly, there was plenty of time to drop us off on one of the islands with absolutely nothing to do but buy overpriced, stale sandwiches. And plenty of time to try and sell us the photos they made. I guess they don't even bother trying to hide that the whole thing is utterly disgusting in how commercialized it is.
Overall, we killed a bunch of time sitting on a boat with nothing to do. In conclusion, there are much more interesting places to see, and much better values, in New Zealand's north than this deceptive tour.

Reviewed 04 June 2011

Dolphin Discoveries - Explore NZ
Jon and Family's avatar

Jon and Family

United Kingdom

Ranking: 7/10

The swim with the dolphins was disappointing as they weren't interested and left once we were in the water..

The boat t…

The swim with the dolphins was disappointing as they weren't interested and left once we were in the water..

The boat trip itself was fantastic and we were lucky enough to go through the hole in the rock.

Reviewed 8 months ago and experienced in March 2011

Dolphin Discoveries - Explore NZ
stoop's avatar

Stoop

Netherlands

Ranking: 9/10

Close encounter, awesome.

Close encounter, awesome.

Reviewed 9 months ago and experienced in March 2011

Dolphin Discoveries - Explore NZ
lauraleigh's avatar

Laura Leigh

United Kingdom

Ranking: 6/10

Started out well, first 2 hours good, next 2 hours very little happened. Although no dolphins were around for the 2nd ha…

Started out well, first 2 hours good, next 2 hours very little happened. Although no dolphins were around for the 2nd half of the tour, could have been taken round islands more eg to see Hole in the Rock.

Reviewed 9 months ago and experienced in March 2011

Dolphin Discoveries - Explore NZ
patrick1's avatar

Patrick Gloede

Germany

Ranking: 9/10

Get close to real dolphins - awesome!!

Get close to real dolphins - awesome!!

Reviewed 25 April 2011

Dolphin Discoveries - Explore NZ
johntaylor's avatar

John Taylor

United Kingdom

Ranking: 7/10

Very friendly and informative. It had not been made clear to us that weather might prevent the passage through the Hole …

Very friendly and informative. It had not been made clear to us that weather might prevent the passage through the Hole in the Rock and that there would be a long stop on the way back.

Reviewed 09 April 2011

Dolphin Discoveries - Explore NZ
annparry's avatar

Ann Parry

Canada

Ranking: 10/10

Hole in the wall/rock afternoon trip.

Hole in the wall/rock afternoon trip.

Reviewed 31 March 2011

Dolphin Discoveries - Explore NZ
marjan's avatar

Marjan Van Den Braak

Netherlands

Ranking: 4/10

There are too many companies, Fuller's and yellow/black boats. We had the yellow. It was too commercial, with a photogra…

There are too many companies, Fuller's and yellow/black boats. We had the yellow. It was too commercial, with a photographer on board. Too busy on the water with 2 boats, jetboats and helicopters.

Reviewed 23 March 2011

Dolphin Discoveries - Explore NZ
wouterteensma's avatar

Wouter Teensma

Netherlands

Ranking: 8/10

Great boat trip to Urupukapuka Island from Paihia. Nice dolphin watching.

Great boat trip to Urupukapuka Island from Paihia. Nice dolphin watching.

Reviewed 22 March 2011

Dolphin Discoveries - Explore NZ
rob3's avatar

Rob

Netherlands

Ranking: 8/10

Boat trip to see the hole in the rock. Dolphin spotting.

Boat trip to see the hole in the rock. Dolphin spotting.

Reviewed 16 March 2011

Dolphin Discoveries - Explore NZ
sarahewing's avatar

Sarah Ewing

United Kingdom

Ranking: 9/10

Again a great day. Did not get to swim with Dolphins as young in pod - but glad they followed rules and laws - still had…

Again a great day. Did not get to swim with Dolphins as young in pod - but glad they followed rules and laws - still had breathtaking views. Staff great.

Reviewed 16 March 2011

Dolphin Discoveries - Explore NZ
alan gill's avatar

Alan & Gill Geach

United Kingdom

Ranking: 7/10

We managed to see many dolphins but lots of other passengers didn't due to seating arrangements. Could have moved back a…

We managed to see many dolphins but lots of other passengers didn't due to seating arrangements. Could have moved back around to enable more people to see. Expensive experience if no dolphin seen.

Reviewed 02 March 2011