We are booked to do the open ocean swimming with dolphins trip at the end of Dec. (My kids are 10 and 15.) Now I am hearing that even with the wetsuits provided, it is extemely cold. Are we better off taking the whale watching tour?

Hi Lindsey<BR><BR>You cannot come to NZ and take your kids whale watch instead of going swimming with dolphins. Its like kissing your sister instead of the real thing!<BR><BR>But you are right in the South Island it can be cold - depends a bit on hot you feel the cold. <BR><BR>Luckily there is an easy solution. The Bay of plenty has much higher seawater temperatures and even better whale watch and the very best swimming with dolphins. You can even go swimming with dolphins from a large yacht - fancy a day under sail with lunch included? And what does a Bay of Plenty swimming with dolphins experience cost? Between $NZ70 and $NZ100 with discounts for kids.<BR><BR>But you do need to book. Contact me if you want to follow up a couple of web sites.<BR><BR>One thing I can say is that your kids (and yourself) will never forget the experience.<BR><BR>And yes as soon as I can get a day off from this keyboard and the vineyard I'm going to be off to do it again myself!<BR>Regards<BR>Kerry

Kerry,<BR>thanks so much for the quick reply. Unfortunately on this trip we will only be visiting S. Island, so Bay of Islands dolphin swimming is not an option. (We did visit Bay of Islands in the autumn a few years ago and absolutely loved it!) <BR>But you have convinced me.....we are going to do the swim in Kaikoura and hope for the best!

OK, I get to wear the dunce hat today. You mentioned Bay of Plaenty, NOT Bay of Islands. (Sorry, it is very early morning where I am typing this.) <BR>Still on N. Island, so I was not that far off. But I promise to read more closely next time.<BR>

Hi,<BR>I was hoping you'd get more responses from people who have swam with the dolphins at Kaikoura. I'm scheduled to do it myself in the beginning of January. I guess we will have to post after we return from our trip. I'm a little nervous about doing it but I was told the boat is near you so any time you wish to get out of the water you can.<BR>

Lindsy,<BR> I swam with the dolphins at sunrise (do the sunrise - not the later swims) in late Feb, 1998. You and your kids will never forget it. We were in the water just as the sun was coming over the horizon, and you could see the dolphins jumping out of the water as they swam toward us on their way toward shore. Our guides estimated it was a pod of 300 - 400 and I'd say they were right. About 20 stayed around us after the others passed and played with us for some 30 minutes.<BR> Yes the water is &quot;fresh&quot; (That is why that area is rich in marine life - a cold and a warm current of water meet and mix), but the wet suits are thick - so thick that when I was on the boat, I got too warm and started getting seasick.

Kia Ora!<BR><BR>Absolutely do the swim. I sent clients last year and they felt it was the highlight of their trip. I don't know how much time you're spending in various areas, but the 3 girls I sent only had one day to do this, we pre-booked it for them, and it was a good thing because otherwise they would have missed out, as it was a full boat. Just something to keep in mind doing your planning. Have a wonderful time!<BR><BR>Melodie<BR>Certified NZ Specialist