Known as one of the best places in the world to see wild dolphins, the coastal town of Kaikoura is located on New Zealand’s South Island. The dusky is remarkably common here, particularly during the summer months from October to April.

As highly social creatures, dusky live in pods which can range from 100 dolphins to over 1,000. Living in these large families helps to keep them safe from other predators, such as sharks and killer whales. The dusky is also a celebrated oceanic showman, frequently bursting from the waves in order to perform somersaults and acrobatics. This reflects their fun-loving and exuberant personality.

Communicating through a series of clicks, pulses and whistles, the dusky will happily mingle with fellow dolphins and humans. Take a deep breath and share a few seconds with the pod.

Getting There

G Adventures runs a number of departures encompassing a wide range of departure dates and activities to cater for different tastes. We’re thrilled at the prospect of showing you this big blue planet of ours — check out our small group trips to New Zealand here.