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See dolphins in their natural habitat from the beach at Curio Bay
Hector's dolphins are a common sight at Curio/Porpoise Bay in South Otago's Catlins. A resident population of around 15 dolphins use the bay to play, feed and rest.
The NZ summer and autumn seasons (November through May) are the best time to see these small and rare dolphins at Curio Bay.
Please take care around these special creatures - don't feed them or chase them; they'll come to you when they want to.
Map
46 reviews with the most recent first, showing page 1 of 4.
Rikke Hessellund, Denmark
Ranking: 9/10
Beautiful beach. And absolutely amazing with a group of dolphins swimming around us in the waves for quite a while. So long that it got too cold, and we had to get out of the water (it was the end of March) In the evening we saw one Pinguin at the petrified Forrest. All in all a super spot in NZ. Only minus was the water temperature and the sandflies.
S Weslake
Ranking: 10/10
Stunning beach, rain or shine. Hector’s dolphins playing in the swell with the swimmers and surfers. 2 cafes and a campervan site in close proximity. Lovely walk around the headland. Well worth a stop.
Conservation Campsite Pass
Save up to 70% on campsite fees! Support conservation and experience the natural beauty of NZ. 96 Department of Conservation campsites, one convenient pass.
Marcal Serrallonga
Ranking: 10/10
We arrived at this beautiful beach on the afternoon and after waiting for 30 min we saw a couple of dolphins. It was amazing! They were very close! But it was so cold, so I could not imagine swimming with them... I regret to don't sleep 1 night in that place. In the other side, we also could see penguins, so it was perfect!
Jan Sojka
Ranking: 8/10
Very nice beach, nice weather and swimming with dolphins.
Top Ranked NZ Deals Pass
Access savings worth hundreds of $$ on Top Ranked NZ Accommodation and Activities for just $1 per day.
Matthias Hottex
Ranking: 10/10
It was a not a paid activity which makes it more amazing. I will never forget swimming with a dolphin in this natural habitat.
Till
Ranking: 9/10
Great spot for surfing and even to see dolphins and seals.
Thank You - to the thousands of travellers that have contributed to our Top Voted NZ Activities Map - it's free from Rankers.
Rahel Baufeld
Ranking: 10/10
Around 20 wild dolphins live at Curio Bay and if you are lucky you can swim with them. Even without the dolphins the bay is beautiful and a nice place to relax.
Leon Schotter
Ranking: 9/10
Spectacular location. The bay is a shelter for a lot of dolphins. Also beautiful for surfing and just hanging around.
Camping NZ App
Every camping site on your iPhone™, iPad™ or Android™ phone or tablet. Avoid camping penalties using this council approved app. Featuring offline maps.
Ronja and Lena
Ranking: 10/10
You can see dolphins there (we didn't).
Roman and Liz
Ranking: 5/10
Very nice and long beach. Unfortunately we did not see any dolphins at all.
Congratulations Curio Bay Dolphin Watch
Lena Wesselink
Ranking: 10/10
A-MA-ZING! You can watch the dolphins from very close and even swim between them! They're not scared at all, really lovely. Although the water is freezing cold... But really worth it, and free!
Tobias Becker
Ranking: 10/10
Great experience to see these animals in the wild!
Ann Wilson
Ranking: 10/10
Great to see dolphins swimming out at sea whilst sunbathing/swim in sea. In evening watch the penguins come ashore and looking at fossil forest. Clambering over rocks. All free - carpark included!
Rikke Hessellund, Denmark
Ranking: 9/10
Beautiful beach. And absolutely amazing with a group of dolphins swimming around us in the waves for quite a while. So long that it got too cold, and we had to get out of the water (it was the end of March) In the evening we saw one Pinguin at the petrified Forrest. All in all a super spot in NZ. Only minus was the water temperature and the sandflies.
S Weslake
Ranking: 10/10
Stunning beach, rain or shine. Hector’s dolphins playing in the swell with the swimmers and surfers. 2 cafes and a campervan site in close proximity. Lovely walk around the headland. Well worth a stop.
Conservation Campsite Pass
Save up to 70% on campsite fees! Support conservation and experience the natural beauty of NZ. 96 Department of Conservation campsites, one convenient pass.
Marcal Serrallonga
Ranking: 10/10
We arrived at this beautiful beach on the afternoon and after waiting for 30 min we saw a couple of dolphins. It was amazing! They were very close! But it was so cold, so I could not imagine swimming with them... I regret to don't sleep 1 night in that place. In the other side, we also could see penguins, so it was perfect!
Jan Sojka
Ranking: 8/10
Very nice beach, nice weather and swimming with dolphins.
Top Ranked NZ Deals Pass
Access savings worth hundreds of $$ on Top Ranked NZ Accommodation and Activities for just $1 per day.
Matthias Hottex
Ranking: 10/10
It was a not a paid activity which makes it more amazing. I will never forget swimming with a dolphin in this natural habitat.
Till
Ranking: 9/10
Great spot for surfing and even to see dolphins and seals.
Thank You - to the thousands of travellers that have contributed to our Top Voted NZ Activities Map - it's free from Rankers.
Rahel Baufeld
Ranking: 10/10
Around 20 wild dolphins live at Curio Bay and if you are lucky you can swim with them. Even without the dolphins the bay is beautiful and a nice place to relax.
Leon Schotter
Ranking: 9/10
Spectacular location. The bay is a shelter for a lot of dolphins. Also beautiful for surfing and just hanging around.
Camping NZ App
Every camping site on your iPhone™, iPad™ or Android™ phone or tablet. Avoid camping penalties using this council approved app. Featuring offline maps.
Ronja and Lena
Ranking: 10/10
You can see dolphins there (we didn't).
Roman and Liz
Ranking: 5/10
Very nice and long beach. Unfortunately we did not see any dolphins at all.
Congratulations Curio Bay Dolphin Watch
Lena Wesselink
Ranking: 10/10
A-MA-ZING! You can watch the dolphins from very close and even swim between them! They're not scared at all, really lovely. Although the water is freezing cold... But really worth it, and free!
Tobias Becker
Ranking: 10/10
Great experience to see these animals in the wild!
Ann Wilson
Ranking: 10/10
Great to see dolphins swimming out at sea whilst sunbathing/swim in sea. In evening watch the penguins come ashore and looking at fossil forest. Clambering over rocks. All free - carpark included!
