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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Ranking: 10/10
This was the best thing I have done in NZ so far. It packs all the things I wanted to do in the Bay of Islands in one...
Reviewed by
jblack
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Cape Reinga Walk
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90%(out of 100)
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Tane Mahuta Track - Waipoua Forest
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85%(out of 100)
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Te Paki Stream - Sand Dune Walking
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82%(out of 100)
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Four Sisters Walk - Waipoua Forest
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81%(out of 100)
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Trounson Kauri Park Walk
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80%(out of 100)
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Waitangi to Haruru Falls walk
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78%(out of 100)
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Pirau Ridge Track
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Onekura & Mangahorehore tracks
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Mount Taranaki Summit Track - Egmont National Park
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91%(out of 100)
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Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk
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Cape Reinga Walk
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90%(out of 100)
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Tongariro Alpine Crossing
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90%(out of 100)
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Cathedral Cove Walk
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88%(out of 100)
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Ohakune Old Coach Road - NZ Cycle Trail
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88%(out of 100)
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Ohakune Old Coach Road - NZ Cycle Trail
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88%(out of 100)
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The Redwoods - Mountain Bike tracks
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84%(out of 100)
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Mangapurua Track - Bridge to Nowhere - NZ Cycle Trail
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72%(out of 100)
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Ohakune Mountain Road - Cycling
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65%(out of 100)
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42nd Traverse - NZ Cycle Trail
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65%(out of 100)
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Fishers Track - NZ Cycle Trail
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55%(out of 100)
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Otago Central Rail Trail
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87%(out of 100)
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Queen Charlotte Track - Cycling
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73%(out of 100)
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Clutha River Track (Alexandra to Clyde)
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67%(out of 100)
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McLeans Island Park and tracks
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64%(out of 100)
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Christchurch - Little River Railtrail
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60%(out of 100)
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Moonlight Track - Arhturs Point to Moke Lake
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55%(out of 100)
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Cape Reinga Walk
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90%(out of 100)
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Tane Mahuta Track - Waipoua Forest
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85%(out of 100)
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Te Paki Stream - Sand Dune Walking
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82%(out of 100)
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Four Sisters Walk - Waipoua Forest
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81%(out of 100)
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Trounson Kauri Park Walk
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80%(out of 100)
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Waitangi to Haruru Falls walk
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78%(out of 100)
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Tallship R Tucker Thompson |
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Carino Sailing and Dolphin Adventures |
79%(out of 100)
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Bay of Islands Sailing - Gungha II |
77%(out of 100)
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Great Escape Yacht Charters |
75%(out of 100)
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Sail NZ-Bay of Islands-Explore NZ |
70%(out of 100)
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Bay of Islands Ecocruz |
68%(out of 100)
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Waitangi Treaty House |
77%(out of 100)
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Kerikeri Mission House |
33%(out of 100)
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Pompallier Mission House |
23%(out of 100)
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The Bay of Islands Vintage Railway |
23%(out of 100)
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The Kauri Museum |
83%(out of 100)
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Russell Museum |
55%(out of 100)
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Claphams Clock Museum - Whangarei |
51%(out of 100)
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Dargaville Museum |
51%(out of 100)
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Twin Pines Tourist Park |
90%(out of 100)
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Wagener Holiday Park (Houhora Heads Motor Camp) |
90%(out of 100)
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Russell Top 10 Holiday Park |
88%(out of 100)
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Ahipara Holiday Park |
87%(out of 100)
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Whangarei Top 10 Holiday Park |
86%(out of 100)
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Waipu Cove Cottages & Camp |
85%(out of 100)
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Maitai Bay Camping Ground - Karikari Peninsula |
91%(out of 100)
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Tapotupotu Camping Ground - Aupouri Peninsula, Cape Reinga |
87%(out of 100)
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Uretiti Beach Camping Ground - Waipu |
86%(out of 100)
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Otamure Bay (Whananaki) Camping Ground |
84%(out of 100)
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Trounson Kauri Park Camping Ground |
79%(out of 100)
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Puriri Bay (Whangaruru North Head) Camping Ground |
69%(out of 100)
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Nick van de Belt
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.
bow
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.
Jon and Family
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.
Stoop
Ranking: 9/10
Close encounter, awesome.
Close encounter, awesome.
Laura Leigh
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.
Patrick Gloede
Ranking: 9/10
Get close to real dolphins - awesome!!
Get close to real dolphins - awesome!!
John Taylor
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.
Ann Parry
Ranking: 10/10
Hole in the wall/rock afternoon trip.
Hole in the wall/rock afternoon trip.
Marjan Van Den Braak
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.
Wouter Teensma
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.
Rob
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.
Sarah Ewing
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.
Alan & Gill Geach
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.
Sally
19 November 2010.