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Dolphin Swim
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We decided to spend some money and so something not many people get to do. We booked a dolphin swim with Encounter tours in Kaikoura. They do all the local wildlife tours and have a great success rate and reputation. Unlike in Australia, in Monkey Mia, where Dolphins are fed so they come to shore, these Dolphins are completely wild. The boat goes looking for them and if they find them you go swimming, if not, you get your money back. We thought it was a good deal so we went for it.
Now I don't know how many of you have ever gone swimming in, lets say late February/March, but it was that cold here! The water was 12 degrees! They outfitted us with full 5 mil wetsuits, boots, mits and head gear. The only skin that was showing were our faces. After about half an hour of searching the guide caught a glimpse of the Dolphin pod and we headed out after them. The pod we jumped in with was about 200 Dusky Dolphins. We looked like idiots, floating around with our snorkels and making all kinds of weird noises to keep there attention. It's so cool though because they try to test you and play with you!! They swim around you in circles to see how well you move, to see if you are like them, then if you keep up enough they dive down, if you do they come back for more. Jenna had a play mate for almost 10 minutes! I was not so lucky but still had a great time with the ones that were interested in me!!
After being in the water for about a half hour with the Dolphins we got back on board the boat, had hot water poured down the wetsuits, wicked, had some hot chocolate and cookies and then followed the Dolphin pod for some pictures. The amazing thing was that the pod we swam with, of about 200, ran into 2 other pods, so we were smack in the middle of almost 800 Dolphins while on the boat!!!
It was truly and amazing experience!!!
After that it was off to the North Island. We stoped at some Wineries in the Blenheim area, famous for NZ Sauvignon Blanc, then were off to Picton to catch the fairy to Wellington.
Unforgetable day!
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