Water activity

Port Stephens: Snorkel With Wild Dolphins

4.7 / 5

14 reviews

Activity provider: Dolphin Swim Australia
Water activity

Port Stephens: Snorkel With Wild Dolphins

Activity provider: Dolphin Swim Australia
Likely to sell out

From US$ 233.33 per person

Likely to sell out
Eco-certified

This is the only permitted wild dolphin swim opportunity in New South Wales and the only one of its kind in the world! Includes a 4-hour cruise, all gear, educational commentary, a video of the underwater action, plus all above-water photos.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
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Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 5 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Instructor
English

Experience

Highlights
  • Swim with wild dolphins in their own environment and observe natural dolphin behaviour (if option selected)
  • Experience what it's like to be a part of a pod of dolphins
  • Witness a stunning sunrise while cruising out into the Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park
  • Share the memories of your experience with the included above-water photos from the Facebook page
  • Relax on the deck of the beautiful 52 foot catamaran
Full description
Your dolphin adventure begins at d'Albora Marina, Nelson Bay at 6:15 AM. Once you've checked in and been fitted with your wetsuit, mask and snorkel, the vessel leaves the dock and travels out through the heads of Nelson Bay. Whilst traveling out to the Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park, you'll be trained in the swim protocols and given a snorkel briefing (if swimmer option selected). Once the dolphins have been located and their behavior monitored and found to be favorable for a swim, the the first group of swimmers enters a net at the bow of the vessel, all the while attached with a safety lanyard to the catamaran. The vessel will stop while your group (and your divemaster) enter the water - it will then begin to move slowly forward. The dolphins will swim back and forth between the bows of the vessel, quite often within a meter of the swimmers and seemingly fascinated by the strange creatures being towed in the water behind them! You'll be so close to the dolphins, it will be just like being a part of the pod! You can of course also just observe the dolphins from the boat without entering the water.
Includes
  • Wild dolphin swim (if option selected)
  • Gear rental (wetsuit, mask, snorkel, safety harness)
  • Educational commentary
  • Seasickness tablets
  • All above-water photos (approximately 150 photos taken each tour) which are later posted to the operator's Facebook page and available to all guests for copying and sharing
  • A video of the underwater action on the day
  • Continental breakfast
  • Coffee and Tea
  • Accommodation
  • Transportation
Not suitable for
  • People with mobility impairments
  • Children under 7 years
  • People over 70 years

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Dock C, d'Albora Marina, 8 Teramby Rd, Nelson Bay NSW 2315, Australia. Please wait at the eastern end of d'Albora Marina (in front of "Bluey's Restaurant & Bar") and one of the crew will bring you to the vessel.

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Important information

What to bring

  • Swimwear
  • Towel
  • Jacket

Know before you go

  • Please wear your swimsuit to the vessel so you're ready to be fitted with your wetsuit. Also bring a towel & a warm jacket - preferably one that can be worn over a wet wetsuit (even on very hot days, it can still get cool out on the open water).
  • You will be placed in a group of 6 for the swim. There is a limit of 24 swimmers and 12 observers on each tour.
  • If you do regularly suffer from motion sickness, it is recommend that you take travel medication when going to bed one or two nights before coming on the tour, as well as another tablet on the morning of your swim
  • Booking this tour means that you agree to sign a waiver when you get on board the vessel
  • All participants are required to arrive at the meeting point at 6:15 AM
  • This tour will make reasonable endeavors to maintain advertised details for The Swim but reserves the right to add, withdraw, substitute and/or vary advertised locations, prices and departure times for The Swim without notice.
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.7 /5

based on 14 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    5/5
  • Transportation
    5/5
  • Value for money
    5/5

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It was such an amazing experience! Unfortunately the first time I joined the tour there weren’t a lot of dolphins in the sea, we saw some but we weren’t able to swim with them. Adam and his crew offered to join another tour 2 days later and then we saw so many dolphins and were able to swim with them ! (Of course that’s always the risk wanting to swim with wild animals therefore it was totally fine that it didn’t work out the first time - we got a nice breakfast, coffee, tea and champagne anyway and were able to lay in a net aside of the boat before entering the harbor) the experience watching the sunset on a Katamaran in the open sea was amazing by itself ! Of course then being able to swim with the dolphins the second time was absolutely amazing ! And also every crew member was so nice, helpful and considerate ! I’m not from Australia and not traveling by car so at the beginning I had some problems getting to the marina on time - Adam also helped with that ! I would recommend it !!

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April 1, 2023

Highly recommended!! Swimming with Dolphins in the wild and in their natural environment!! Once in a lifetime experience - a must on the Bucket List! Fantastic/Amazing/Energetic crew who are attentive, knowledgeable, engaging, welcoming and caring. Great experience for couples, family or even singles and can't say enough what a phenomenal day it was! Thank you to Adam, Ellie, Shannon, Sooty and the Team!

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April 1, 2023

I would highly recommend this adventure. There were lots of dolphins and we were surprised how close they came. The team are motivating and energetic making us feel welcome and confident. Having little to no snorkelling experience we were encouraged to participate and felt like we were safe and in great hands. The boat was great and the team friendly and professional with a genuine love for the dolphins.

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April 1, 2023

Product ID: 163281