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Whale Trail - Small Group Tour

Ever wanted to meet whales and dolphins in their own environment? Here is your chance! Come and travel with us on an educational 8 day tour of marine mammal watching hotspots in New Zealand.

We have a chance of encountering ten species of cetaceans; humpback, Bryde’s, Southern right, Minke, pilot and sperm whales, and bottlenose, common and Hector’s dolphin as well as the world’s larges dolphin (the orca) and two species of pinnipeds (the New Zealand fur seal and sealion).

With a strong emphasis on education and supporting research projects we will take you to meet marine mammals in their own world. Where possible we will enter the water and swim with these amazing creatures. You will be accompanied by Dr. Ingrid N Visser, a world expert on orca. We will also be joined by guest lecturers and researchers at various locations around the country.

Learn how to save stranded whales and dolphins by completing a Marine Mammal Medic course, where you will have hands-on experience with the rescue equipment.

With our own digital photography and a hydrophone (underwater sound recording equipment), we will create your very own memento to take home and share with friends and family.

The majority of internal travel will be by air for the most efficient use of time. Our accommodations on the tour have been selected from New Zealand’s finest 3-4 star hotels.

We also offer a post extension tour to the South Pacific island chain of the Kingdom of Tonga. There you can have the humpback whale watching encounter of a lifetime, where you can enter the warm tropical waters and swim with these animals and hear their songs vibrate through your body.

Download the tour dossier here.

From NZ$6,875 per person twin share

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Whale Trail - New Zealand's only whale watching tour

Read what Pacific Rim Leisure Magazine said about the Whale Trail tour

Tour Highlights

Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf - considered to be one of the most biologically and geographically diverse maritime parks in the world. Swim with dolphins and view a huge diversity of other marine and bird life aboard the purpose built research and wildlife viewing vessel, the Dolphin Explorer.

Marine Mammal Medic Course - learn about whale strandings and how you can assist in the event of a stranding. The course is held in the beautiful Bay of Islands and includes the use of specialised rescue equipment.

Marine Mammal Discovery tour and Dolphin Swim, Bay of Islands - bottlenose and common dolphin are usually encountered here but you may also see a variety of other species including orca (killer whales), Brydes, pilot, Minke, sei, humpback, and very rarely the Blue Whale.

Endangered Hector dolphin Wellington - Te Papa, the National Museum of New Zealand - home to one of the largest collections of marine mammal skeletons in the world. We will have a behind the scene’s look with the resident scientist and specialist.

Marlborough Sounds - we search with local marine biologists for five different species - bottlenose, dusky and Hector's dolphins, orca and New Zealand fur seals - before taking a guided walk on Motuara Island - one of New Zealand’s very special wildlife reserves.

Whale Watching Kaikoura - a world renowned opportunity for whale watching. From a helicopter you will view giant sperm whales and perhaps dolphins from above.

Seal or Dolphin Swim Kaikoura - you will have the opportunity to swim with the seals or dolphins in this fantastic region. As well as the chance to view many of the birdlife varieties that find Kaikoura a haven, like the giant albatross and smaller albatross, cormorants, shearwaters, petrels and shags.

Orca underwater Akaroa Dolphin Experience - experience a rich variety of marine life including the Hector's dolphin - found only in New Zealand waters - and the world’s smallest penguin, the little blue. If you wish, you may have the opportunity to swim with these tiny rare dolphins. The seascape is dominated by towering volcanic cliffs teeming with marine birdlife.

A proportion of the proceeds from this tour go direct to the Orca Research Trust to help further advance our knowledge of New Zealand's orca population.

Dr Ingrid Visser

Born in New Zealand, Ingrid has loved the marine environment since she was a small child. Researching whales and dolphins was always her dream, and after 10 years research she completed her Ph.D. on the New Zealand orca (killer whales). Since then her studies have taken her all around the world. Join Ingrid for the whale and dolphin trip of a lifetime. She will endeavour to get you up close and personal with a wide range of marine mammals and will introduce you to other researchers working with marine mammals. Ingrid will give you hints about how to photograph these stunning animals and provide insights about the species you are observing.

Come and live your dream too!

Departure dates

This tour operates on demand. If you are interested in joining the Whale Trail, please contact us.

Price per person (subject to minimum numbers):

From NZ$6,875 twin share
From NZ$7,565 single occupancy