Kaikoura Dolphin Encounter

Oh. My. God.

We swam with dolphins in the open Pacific Ocean.


They came so close, one actually bumped Jeff and Marshall felt the current as they swooshed past. They were incredible. They respond to noises in the water -- and there's not much funnier than hearing a boatful of snorkelers attempting to make dolphin calls.

We took the 5:30am excursion. There were about a dozen swimmers on our tour. As we left the South Bay harbor, the clouds were hugging the mountains but the base was fair. The water temperature was about 15C (VERY chilly when you first leap in, even in a full wetsuit) with a moderate swell.

It took about 20 minutes to find the dolphins. They're always on the move. They like the enormous, cliff-like drop-off near the Kaikoura coast. The whales are fond of it, too, because it creates an upwelling with cold, nutrient-rich water.

We saw little planktons hanging together in chains... and dogfish (small sharks) swimming far below us. Then dozens and dozens of dolphins. They're true performers. And clowns. They love to leap out of the water. And they like to explore the odd humans that jump into their world.

The snorkeling was big fun. At least until Jeff swallowed about 10 gallons of salt water. Let the puking begin. He wasn't alone. The crew had buckets ready for everyone. Jeff and a (very cute) French guy, Cristoph, had the worst of it. They were both green all the way in to port. While they were toughing it out, Marshall went up to the bow to take pictures and shoot video. (Great stuff! Wait 'til you see it!)

Now, with a sore throat from barfing, Jeff will sound like Kathleen Turner (or maybe Lauren Bacall) for the next two days.