Name: Swim with Wild Dolphins - 4 Hours
Price: 109.00 AUD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.7 (23 reviews)

Highlights

Learn about the marine park and dolphins with an onboard team of experts
Interact and play with dolphins in their natural habitat
Embark on an in-water experience with dolphins within reaching distance

Share the pristine waters of Port Stephens with playful wild dolphins during this in-water swim interaction with an expert team over four hours.

What's included?

Four hour cruise of the Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park
In-water experience with wild oceanic dolphins
All gear (wetsuit, mask, snorkel, safety harness)
Full training in the swim technique by experienced staff members
Educational commentary
Complimentary above-water photos
Complimentary breakfast provided on the boat

Step aboard for an unforgettable adventure in the stunning Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park and experience one of Australia’s most extraordinary wildlife encounters. As the only permitted wild dolphin swim experience in NSW, and the first experience of its kind in the world, this four-hour cruise offers the rare opportunity to get up close to playful Common Dolphins in their natural environment. Enjoy a complimentary breakfast on board as the experienced crew shares fascinating educational commentary about the local marine ecosystem and the dolphins that call these waters home.

Before entering the water, you’ll receive full training and be fitted with all the equipment needed, including a wetsuit, mask and safety harness. Once attached to a specially designed line between the bows of the 52-foot catamaran, you'll be safely connected to the vessel as it moves through the crystal-clear waters. As curious dolphins swim and play, you'll bow ride just metres away, feeling immersed in their world and part of the pod itself. To help you remember every magical moment, complimentary above-water photos are included. A must-do experience when visiting Port Stephens.

This experience is part of the Responsible range because they are ECO certified by Ecotourism Australia.

Important information

Session Length

This experience is four hours in duration
Meet at Dock C at 6.15am for a 7am departure; return by 11am
This is a seasonal activity that runs from October to April each year
During the season, this experience operates on weekends and daily during holiday periods

Guidelines

Minimum age is seven years
Children over seven years (but under 18 years) must be approved by parent/carer
If you are pregnant, please contact the provider before booking to discuss suitability; in most cases, participation is permitted up to the second trimester
Limited swimming ability is required, however snorkelling experience is a definite advantage
General weight limit of 120kg; if over this limit, you must be strong enough to pull your own body weight from the water
While travelling to the marine park, the crew will provide all necessary onboard training and instructions
As the dolphins are wild animals, encounter times vary daily and are determined by where the pod is located on the day of your tour

Cancellation

Change your booking up to 48 hours before the start time of your experience
Changes are not permitted within 48 hours of your experience
Late arrivals or no shows may result in you forfeiting your experience

Numbers on the Day

Maximum of 36 guests (24 swimmers and 12 observers).

Spectators

Spectators are welcome, with a limit of 12 observers on each tour.

Weather

In the event of rain or inclement weather your experience will still go ahead unless contacted by the experience provider.

Dress Code

Please wear swimwear under your clothes when you arrive. It is also highly recommended that you bring a very warm jacket that can be worn over a wet wetsuit. Even on the hottest days in summer, it can still get quite cool out on the water.

Other Info

Swimmers are split into groups of up to six participants, with one group entering the water at a time for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Groups rotate throughout the experience, giving everyone multiple opportunities to enjoy unforgettable encounters with the dolphins during the tour.

Location

This experience departs from Dock C, d'Albora Marina, Teramby Rd, Nelson Bay, Port Stephens NSW 2315.

Reviews

4.7

23 reviews

5 stars 18

4 stars 3

3 stars 1

2 stars 1

1 star 0

Swimming with dolphins

Marian 23 February 2020

Staff were lovely and very helpful. One of my friends was vomiting from motion sickness and staff were very supportive. Unfortunately, we got On the boat and in our wetsuits however they could not find a dolphin pod for us to swim with so we did not enter the water. We stayed on the boat the whole time. A bit disappointing since we booked accomodation and come up specifically for the swim. Would recommend calling them prior and ensure weather is good prior to booking accomodation. Take motion sickness tablets one hour prior to boarding boat. They said we could come back within 12months to re do it or we can get half of our money back.

Unique and enjoyable experience

Matthew 7 January 2020

Very unique experience as the wild dolphins actually swim with you (and are very close), as opposed to other experiences where you would typically jump in the water and be lucky to get close to any dolphins. The team did a great job looking after everyone during the experience and ensuring that everyone had a good time and was able to learn about the dolphins

AMAZING!

Rose 9 February 2019

Such an incredible experience swimming with Dolphins in the Wild. Waking up super early, getting to watch a sunrise on the catamaran is just beautiful. The crew on the boat were great, super friendly and informative, they went through what the swim would entail and ensured everyone felt comfortable and understood. The experience was incredible, I got to see a pod of dolphins 30-40 of them swimming below and around me and have to say I loved every minute of it, it's just amazing! I would definately recommend this experience.

The dolphin swim itself was amazing, and the staff

Madison 9 February 2019

The swim was absolutely incredible and the staff were above and beyond.

Wild Dolphin Swimming

Cathie 26 January 2019

This experience was excellent and value for money.

Amazing Experience

Joe 2 October 2018

Starting with a beautiful sunset this was an excellent morning. We saw whales and dolphins before we got in the water to swim with the dolphins. An excellent and well informed crew made it a fabulous morning and even made sure that those of us who were apprehensive about getting in with the dolphins were comfortable and safe.

Exceeded all my hopes! Absolutely breathtaking.

Joanna 2 January 2018

I thought it would be good, what with all the 5* reviews it has received... but I never EVER thought it would be THAT good. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It was an absolute dream come true for me. To swim with wild dolphins this way in incredible, being guided along by the fantastic crew and equipment they use ~ you feel like one of the pod. Just INSANE! We were very lucky on our trip with the sheer numbers of dolphins we encountered, but we were also extremely lucky because of this Company. They are fantastic and truly make the day what it was - an appreciation and respect for entering this home of Wild Animals. We had wonderful knowledge from onboard Staff (David has a vast volume of Marine Life that’s so interesting). They all go out of their way to welcome you, look after you and genuinely want you to have the best experience possible...and we truly did. I have no other words apart from, if you don’t book this experience you are missing out BIG TIME. Take the risk, go and do it. You will not regret it. Trust me....you'll end up recommending it to everyone you know (I talked my taxi driver into booking to go as soon as I left the Marina!!) Have fun!

Swimming with dolphins was the ultimate experience

Megan 22 October 2017

Absolutely one of the most amazing things I've ever done. Loved every second and another thing ticked off my bucket list.

Swimming/playing with dolphins in the wild.magical

Cheryl 1 March 2017

What a truly wonderful experience swimming/playing with dolphins in their natural environment. It felt such a privilege that dolphins would play with us, swimming so close just like we were part of their pod. I saw so many dolphins around us, when I was on the boat and in the water, including a mother and her baby. All the crew were friendly, knowledgeable, patient and very accommodating which made the experience even more enjoyable. Unforgettable unique experience!

swimming with dolphins

Diana 18 November 2016

It was a great experience, the only thing which destroyed my experience to swim with dolphins was the shocking weather, it was pouring rain and thundering which kept the dolphins away