Seal Swim

*** This tour is currently unavailable, you can also check out Dolphin Encounter or Whale Watching in Kaikoura ***

Description

The beautiful little New Zealand town of Kaikoura – which is located only 180 kilometres north of Christchurch – is a national treasure. With alpine mountain ranges almost touching the ocean, crystal clear waters, emerald bushland and a quaint village setting, Kaikoura in itself is a stunning tourist attraction. So, what could be better than a visit to this phenomenal coastal area? How about a swim in the delightful Kaikoura peninsula… With some friendly New Zealand Fur Seals!

Seal Swim Kaikoura Invite you to join them for a truly unique experience – swimming and snorkelling with New Zealand Fur Seals in their beautiful natural environment. At the head office and suit up area, you will slip into your warm wetsuit and be supplied with all the other equipment you need, before heading off in the boat. As you dive into the shallow waters of the peninsula, you will be amazed at how inquisitive the Fur Seals are and how quickly they feel comfortable around you. During your two to two and a half hour tour, you will get to witness these frolicking, playful, friendly and curious creatures as they swim around you, under you and beside you. This is truly the best way to come face-to-face with a Fur Seal and you will remember your experience for the rest of your life!

Seal Swim Kaikoura are extremely dedicated to protecting the seals, so they work hard to not disturb their natural behavioural patterns. They are also licensed by the New Zealand Department of Conservation, so you can be sure your experience will have minimal negative impact on the precious seals and their magnificent surrounding environment.

As New Zealand’s original seal swimming company, Seal Swim Kaikoura’s crew are extremely passionate about their jobs – so much so that the owners themselves still guide the tours and jump in the water with the seal swim groups on a daily basis! They cater solely to seal swimming and the information about Fur Seals you glean from your experience will amaze you.

Trip Includes

• Boat based seal swim
• Wetsuits & all snorkel equipment

Duration

• Allow 2.5 hours

Departures

• 9.30am, 11am, 12.30pm & 2pm
• Departs from the Seal Swim Kaikoura shop in the centre of town at 58 West End in the main street
• Operates during summer only (Oct - April)

Other Information

• We do not have a strict age limit for children. Instead it is up to our head guide on the day to decide what age/ability level is suitable for the given conditions. In general we cannot take children of five years or under as we do not have wetsuits to fit them
• We will supply you with 5mm dive suits, hoods, fins, goggles & snorkel. We also provide hot showers, changing facilities & safe storage
• You will need to bring swimwear, towel & warm clothing to put on after the tour
• Tour times may vary slightly due to tidal conditions and weather so you need to call the day before your tour to reconfirm
• In most conditions you do not have to be a strong swimmer/snorkeller to swim with the seals. We have guides in the water with big float boards & the wetsuits that we give you are like life jackets so you can’t sink! Every now and then we do get more difficult conditions in which case we would restrict the tour to those with previous snorkeling experience. If you happen to be on one of those tours then we will allow you to cancel free of charge