Ranking: 10/10

Very impressed with every step of the experience!

Reviewed 8 months ago

Ranking: 10/10

We came to Kaikoura specifically to do this seal swim and it was all that we had hoped for! I highly recommend that even though the road from Kaikoura to Picton is closed, you should still come to Kaikoura and explore the town. It is a quaint ocean town and well worth the visit. I highly recommend the Seal Swim encounter as well! I took my 11 yr old and 13 year old daughters and they won't ever forget this experience!

Reviewed over 3 years ago

Ranking: 10/10

Small groups and a very unique wildlife experience to have in Kaikoura!

Reviewed about 4 years ago and experienced in November 2014

Ranking: 8/10

To swim with the seals with this company is really good. Professional and small groups (10 people).

Reviewed about 4 years ago and experienced in February 2016

Ranking: 10/10

Absolutely incredible! You won't get any closer to wild seals in their native habitat! They are so cute!

Reviewed over 4 years ago

Ranking: 9/10

Great family run business - however seems to be slightly abrupt and unwelcoming on booking.
Had a great day and swam with seals darting towards and around me.
Was great to be in the water with them!

Reviewed over 5 years ago and experienced in March 2015

Ranking: 10/10

Awesome experience to swim right beside the seals.

Reviewed over 6 years ago and experienced in January 2014

Ranking: 10/10

This is a not to be missed experience in Kaikoura my girlfriend and I were lucky enough to swim with both dolphins and seals in Kaikoura and the seals won hands down for us.

The team at seal swim are friendly and relaxed but they are nothing compared to the seals, happy to hang in the water upside down staring inquisitively into your snorkel mask for hours, before playing hide and seek in and out of the rocks and kelp.

This is not just about the seals it is a complete underwater experience into the marine life around Kaikoura.

I hope you choose to take the trip and enjoy it as much as we did, good luck!

Reviewed over 6 years ago

Ranking: 10/10

Best equipment and good guide.

Reviewed over 7 years ago

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 organization, good spot, I would do this again.

Reviewed about 9 years ago and experienced in February 2011

Ranking: 9/10

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

Reviewed over 9 years ago

Ranking: 10/10

Excellent and friendly.

Reviewed over 9 years ago

Ranking: 10/10

Grandios, exciting.

Reviewed over 9 years ago

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 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 over 9 years ago

Ranking: 8/10

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

Reviewed over 10 years ago

Ranking: 8/10

Also very interesting and well run.

Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in November 2009

Ranking: 10/10

Fantastic morning out! I dove right in with the seals as I wanted to make the most of my expirence instead of holding onto the board the boat provided. Fantastic facitilies and great staff.

Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in April 2008

Ranking: 9/10

Another excellently run company, very honest about whether we'd see any seals due to the weather + offered refunds and turned out we were lucky. Right length tour, + great, friendly staff.

Reviewed about 11 years ago and experienced in March 2009

Ranking: 8/10

Excellent, loved it. Good value for money.

Reviewed about 11 years ago and experienced in March 2009

Ranking: 8/10

Good guided tour in a small group.

Reviewed over 11 years ago

Ranking: 7/10

Too cold!!

Reviewed over 11 years ago

Ranking: 8/10

$60 was worth it, especially compared to Whale Watch.

Reviewed over 12 years ago

Ranking: 9/10

Very good value, good fun. Friendly staff.

Reviewed over 12 years ago

Ranking: 10/10

Family operated - very friendly. Spent about an hour among the seals - amazing!

Reviewed over 12 years ago

Ranking: 8/10

Something different. Good guides

Reviewed almost 13 years ago