2 hour Dolphin Viewing Eco-Tour from Picton

Badge of ExcellencePicton, New Zealand

Half Day Dolphin Viewing Eco Tour from Picton

1 to 2 hours
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Explore our promoted experiences

Picton, South Island

Hop on Hop off Wine Tours Marlborough

from $55.05

Picton, South Island

Private Marlborough Winery Tour

from $461.34

Price varies by group size

Picton, South Island

Private Gourmet Winemakers Tour - Picton Cruise Ship Excursion - Max 10 People

from $1,248.70

Per group

Viator earns higher commissions on experiences featured here

Overview

The sunken river valleys, forested cliffs, and sandy bays of the Marlborough Sounds are one of the best places in New Zealand to spot dolphins in their natural environment, but increased tourism can often put wildlife at risk. This 4-hour cruise from Picton is run by certified Department of Conservation operators, allowing you to interact with dusky, bottlenose, and orca dolphins in a safe, fun, and eco-friendly way.

4-hour private Bay of Islands tour from Paihia
Admire magnificent views of the Marlborough Sounds on a small-boat cruise
Spot dusky, bottlenose and orca dolphins in their natural environment
Learn how to interact safely with wild dolphins from an expert eco-certified guide

What's Included

Beverages
Professional guide

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

E-Ko Tours
1 Wellington Street, Picton 7220, New Zealand

Start time

09:00 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Make your own way to the base shop (address to be provided on voucher) along Picton waterfront at 8.30am, where you’ll meet your guide and take part in a safety briefing before boarding your boat. Once you understand the conservation rules and know how to act around the dolphins, it’s time to set sail across the Marlborough Sounds.

Admire the dramatic scenery as you glide out around the inlets, and see if you can spot the five different species of dolphin that frequent the waters - Dusky, Bottlenose, Common, Orca, and the rare Hector's dolphins. Make the most of the on-board binoculars and wildlife cards to help you identify marine animals and sea birds along the way, and learn more about the varied wildlife of the Sounds from your knowledgeable guide.

If you’re lucky, you’ll have chance to spot a school of dolphins, and get as close as possible to watch them swimming, playing, and leaping around the boat. As you watch the magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, hear fascinating facts from your guide, and learn more about the conservation rules and regulations that have been put in place to ensure their preservation.

After around four hours at sea, warm up with hot drinks and cookies as you cruise back to shore, then end your tour back at Picton waterfront.

Please note: We are Picton's only Dolphin Swimming and viewing operator, ensuring a personalized experience, and our Department of Conservation permits allows us to seek out and interact with all species of marine mammals that live in the Sounds.

Marlborough Sounds (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation

Infants must sit on laps
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Cushla_A

Getting so close to the dolphins.was an amazing experience well worth it. Staff were friendly and helpful and loved talking to all of us on the boat.

Reviews

4.5

28 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-6 of 28 reviews

Disappointed

Nadine_S, Apr 2023

No one ever contacted me to say the tour was cancelled. I went to the location and no one showed up. I sent a message, called and finally contacted you. No one knew about the cancellation. Then I was told to be patient -I was and you finally agreed to a refund- The location opened up about an hour later and I was told for the first time that I did not miss the pick up point but it was cancelled. I received an apology but I still took my time and came about 30 km for a tour that was cancelled. NO reimbursement for my time or petrol. If I had cancelled last minute I would have been penalized and lost 100% of my payment. Viator knew or should have know about the cancellation-but instead listed the tour as almost sold out. The cancellation was due to lack of interest.

Unbelievable experience awesome knowledgeable crew

Fiona_R, Feb 2023

Seeing the dolphins and birds in their natural environment just doing what they do then leaving in peace

We saw a pod of cheeky...

Sharon_M, Apr 2022

We saw a pod of cheeky hectors dolphins, who were delightful to watch. Unfortunately we did not see any other dolphins. The tour staff were friendly and accommodating. Lovely views of the Marlborough Sounds.

Response from Host, May 2022

Thanks for taking the time to come and view wildlife and dolphins in their natural environment. I'm so glad that you appreciated seeing the incredibly rare Hector dolphin - numbering around 30 in the sounds we are always so privileged that they take time out of their day to come and say hello

Getting so close to the...

Cushla_A, Apr 2022

Getting so close to the dolphins.was an amazing experience well worth it. Staff were friendly and helpful and loved talking to all of us on the boat.

Special family trip

Janine_F, Jul 2020

Saw so many dolphins, seals and amazing birds - great experience with friendly knowledgeable crew - would’ve be even richer experience to have a local Maori perspective for the history.

Response from Host, Jul 2020

Thank you so much Janine for coming out with us ! We are glad you enjoyed the cruise :-) Have a beautiful day

Saw dolphins but only at a distance...

William_B, Mar 2018

Saw dolphins but only at a distance. The guides were knowledgeanle and the boat was well kept. It is a nature cruise so viewing is hit or miss. The price was right compared to a cruise boat we were on.