Whale Trail tour

This educational tour of New Zealand's marine mammal-watching hotspots offers the opportunity to meet whales and dolphins in ther own environment. You 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 largest dolphin (the orca) and two species of pinnipeds (the New Zealand fur seal and sealion. Where possible you will enter the water and swim with these amazing creatures.

The emphasis is on education and supporting research projects, and you will be accompanied by Dr. Ingrid N. Visser, a world expert on orca, as well as 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.

Digital photography and a hydrophone (underwater sound recording equipment), helps create your very own memento of this extraordinary experience.

Most internal travel will be by air, for the most efficient use of time, and accommodation has been selected from New Zealand's finest three and four 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, entering the warm tropical waters to swim with these wonderful animals.

The swimming components of the tour are best enjoyed by those who are comfortable and competent in the water. Any interactions with dolphins and seals will be dictated by their location and demeanour, and can not be guaranteed.