Encounter Kaikoura is a locally owned business. The three business partners are Ian Bradshaw, Dennis Buurman and his wife Lynette. Ian Bradshaw, along with Dennis’ brother Rik Buurman, were the first to make specific ‘swim with the dolphin’ tours in New Zealand, back in the summer of 1989-90. In the year of 1991 Dennis and Lynette joined Dolphin Encounter. In 2000 Rik decided to move on to other things and sold his share to the other partners.
The same pioneering spirit that produced the Dolphin Encounter tour, saw the creation of the Albatross Encounter tour in 1998. Kaikoura is known as the albatross capital of New Zealand (if not the world) and up to 14 species of albatross can be seen off the coastline at Kaikoura.
Encounter Kaikoura (formerly Dolphin Encounter) is focused on providing a natural experience where any interaction with the dolphins is on the terms of the dolphins, not an experience which is fabricated. We are committed to a strategy which focuses on environmental sustainability and developing improved operating efficiency. This will ensure our clients experience a nature based activity at its very best; with the least impact on the environment and the marine mammals we interact with.
Activities
Kaikoura, Central Kaikoura