If you love wildlife encounters and experiencing them up close and personal, the wildlife experiences in New Zealand are next-to-none.
It doesn’t get much better than watching dolphins fly out of the waves from a metre away, or coming face to face with the Orca; the world renowned killer whale. Not only that, you can also hang out with some of the cutest animals on Earth at Observation Beach – the seal.
Kaikoura is New Zealand’s capital for dolphin and whale encounters, with trips running every day of the year. Snap pictures, swim and play alongside the majestic dolphins with the peace of mind that their environment is protected and respected by the team at Encounter Kaikoura. Dolphins not quite enough for you? Meet an array of whale species on a trip with Whale Watch Kaikoura, including species such as: New Zealand Fur Seals, Dusky Dolphins, Migrating Humpback Whales, Pilot Whales, Blue Whales, Southern Right Whales, and Orca (Killer) Whales.
You can head up to Abel Tasman National Park and embark on a breathtaking journey through the national park by boat, kayak and foot to hang out with these cute little guys. The crew at Abel Tasman Kayaks will get you up close in their natural environment, where you can get pictures and observe their weird and wonderful ways before kayaking through the crystal clear waters of the Abel Tasman coastline.
Get amongst an afternoon trip exploring Adele Island and the famous Seal Colony. Start with a scenic water taxi ride to Observation Beach before exploring the surrounding coastline by kayak. Paddle out to Adele & Fisherman Islands and observe the antics of the resident New Zealand Fur Seals, Kekeno, and watch out for little Blue Penguins too! You will have ample time to spend with the playful Kekeno who call the island home. This short but sweet tour of the southern end of the Abel Tasman allows enough time to soak up the quintessential Abel Tasman coastline before arriving back…
Dolphins are some of nature’s most beautiful and captivating animals on the planet and they’re even more amazing close-up. Why not put yourself in their world with Dolphin Encounter Kaikoura, an unforgettable experience in one of New Zealand’s most breath-taking destinations. One of the best places in the world to encounter dolphins in the wild! Encounter Kaikoura operates on the dolphins’ terms. You can swim with the dolphins in their natural environment or watch their acrobatic displays form the comfort of the boat. There is a limit of just 16 swimmers on each vessel with plenty of additional space for…
Whale Watch is New Zealand’s only vessel based whale watching company offering an exciting up-close encounter. Operating at all times of the year, Whale Watch Kaikoura is the best experience on the South Island to see the biggest creatures of the sea, making for an extraordinarily magical experience. The experience is definitely one of the books and makes for a special outing, with around 1-2 whale sightings per session. Giant Sperm Whales are usually the stars of the show and are the popular year round residents, but you can expect to see several other species on this unique tour including:…
This Milford Sound day tour has been going for nearly 30 years now and is a top-rated small group Milford Experience. Sit back, buckle up and chill out as you escape the crowds and take in a truly unique day, showcasing this world famous region. On this full-day Milford Sound tour from Queenstown, you will enjoy guided commentary to and from Milford Sound with experienced guides, accompanied with good laughs, memories, and of course, above average banter. It doesn’t just stop with the coach tour, and you will have the opportunity to hop on a two hour small boat nature…
New Zealand is beautiful all year round, so it depends what sort of adventure you’re looking for. There is more rainfall in the months between June and August. Between December and March, you’ll have longer days, with bright and sunny conditions, however it will of course be much busier during this period.
You certainly can! Camping is permitted on public conservation land, unless otherwise stated or restricted to self-contained vehicles. The rules in New Zealand regarding campervans differ depending on whether the campervan is classed as ‘self-contained’ or not, so be sure to check out the rules before booking.
New Zealand has been ranked in the top 5 safest countries in the world, so we’d say it’s a pretty safe place to visit and travel around. Plus, unlike its neighbour, Australia, there are less creepy crawlies, and definitely less harmful ones (zero, to be precise).
There are a couple of ways to get around New Zealand, and it totally depends what you’re looking for. Our first recommendation would be to hire a campervan, for complete freedom, flexibility, and to take you off-the-beaten-track. Campervans are arguably the most popular way to travel around New Zealand. Your other option is by bus, namely Kiwi Experience, which will take you to all the most popular destinations, and even help you arrange accommodation. A great way to meet people, see the best bits, and be able to sit back, relax, and take in the stunning scenery.
More like what can’t you do in New Zealand? There is a vast variety of trips available for every type of traveller. From cultural experiences with local Mauris, to bungy jumping, visiting the set of The Lord of The Rings, and kayaking through Abel Tasman National Park. Check out our New Zealand destination page to explore your options!