Swim & View Dolphins, Whales & Wildlife Marlborough Sounds

Swim With Dolphins & View Whales & Wildlife

On the Marlborough Sounds

E-Ko Cruises operate out of Picton in the calm and sheltered waters of the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. Join us on New Zealand’s BEST dolphin experience, where we take you to where the wildlife is on our Dolphin Swim or View Experience. We’ll be searching for Dusky, Bottlenose, Common, Orca and the rare Hector’s dolphins that frequent this unique area. Whether it’s watching a group quietly cruising along or marvelling at their high leaps, back-flips and somersaults during social bouts, dolphins are a magnificent sight! An amazing journey with fantastic scenery, wonderful wildlife and degree qualified guides. A perfect way to experience the Marlborough Sounds.

Marlborough Sounds – Swim with the Dolphins or View Experience

Price: $180 per person – Child $155 per person (Aged 12 to 15)
Departs: 9:00 am Briefing starts at 8:30 am
Duration: 4 Hours

Join us on New Zealand’s BEST dolphin experience in the calm waters of the scenic Marlborough Sounds. Our degree qualified guides are there to make sure you (and the dolphins) have the best and safest experience possible. We’ll be searching for Dusky, Bottlenose, Common, Orca and the rare Hector’s dolphins that frequent this unique area. Whether it’s watching a group quietly cruising along or marvelling at their high leaps, back-flips and somersaults during social bouts, dolphins are a magnificent sight! Our Department of Conservation permits allows us to seek out and interact with all species of marine mammals that live in the Sounds. We take you where the wildlife is and provide respectful interactions with these amazing creatures. During the cruise, we’re also likely to see NZ Fur Seals and a variety of seabirds (like Gannets, Shearwaters and Penguins).

Once spotted, we’ll cruise with the dolphins and get the swimmers ready if conditions allow. As a permitted operator, we abide by the rules and regulations established for dolphin swimming and viewing activities. If conditions are good, then we’ll place you in the water where you will experience a true adventure for your soul! Once you come out the water your guides will be waiting with warm water, hot drinks and some cookies which you can enjoy while we cruise back to Picton. Unlike other dolphin swimming operations around New Zealand where several boats are on the same group of dolphins, we are Picton’s only Dolphin Swimming operator – that means we’re the only boat with swimmers in the water with a group of dolphins. We primarily operate in an area of little to no sea swell
meaning seasickness is not an issue for our guests.

All equipment is provided for you. Just bring your swim wear, a towel and your camera.

We provide wetsuits, fins, masks and snorkels and as Picton’s only Dolphin Swimming operator we are the only boat licensed with swimmers in the water so you have your own personal encounter with these supreme mammals. If you don’t wish to swim with the dolphins, you are treated to fantastic dolphin viewing from above.

We are a family friendly operator and have expert knowledge of the wildlife that lives in this area. We have a dolphin viewing success of 95% and a swim success of 80% and you will get some fantastic photo opportunities along the way.

Motuara Island Sanctuary and Dolphin Watching Tour

Price: $129 per person – Child $65 per person (Aged 5 to 15)
Departs: 8:00 am and 1:30 pm (Briefing starts 20 minutes before departure)
Duration: 4 Hours

Picton’s Ultimate Dolphin and Wildlife Cruise.

Embark on a fully guided wildlife and dolphin cruise like no other. Travel from Picton through the Marlborough Sounds on a scenic journey to Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary. Our comfortable vessels and expert team take you on a conservation-focused, wildlife adventure for your soul as our journey we’ll be encountering a huge variety of rare, wonderful and interesting species along the way.

Expert commentary and fantastic viewing areas allow you to enjoy playful Hector’s, Bottlenose, or Dusky Dolphins (90% encounter rate!). We also see NZ fur seals and numerous seabirds before landing on Motuara Island for a 1-hour nature lover’s walk to remember – great for adults and kids alike.