New Zealand | Curo bay

A Once in a Lifetime Encounter with Hector’s Dolphins

While working in Dunedin, I decided to take a break and head south to spend a few days exploring the Catlins. The drive from Dunedin to Curio Bay took just under four hours, winding through some of the most stunning coastal and forest landscapes on the South Island. I arrived at Curio Bay Camping Ground, which offered an ideal base for my adventure. For just around 35 NZD per night, I had a peaceful unpowered tent site right by the coast. The facilities were better than expected with a well equipped kitchen and hot showers, perfect after long days outdoors. I ended up staying two nights.

The next morning, I woke early and started checking the weather. The forecast showed a light side wind and an overcast sky, but the condition were safe for getting out to the bay. I was mostly focused on the wind speed and direction since the ocean can change quickly in this part of New Zealand. Around midday, the conditions still looked stable, so I got my packraft inflated and prepped my gear.

By 12:30 in the afternoon, I was heading out into the bay. The sky was grey and moody, but the sea was calm. I had packed two small rocks with me and brought them out in the raft. Once I was drifting offshore, I tapped the rocks together underwater and slapped the paddle gently on the surface. Within minutes, I noticed movement in the water. Hector’s dolphins. They were coming straight towards me, drawn by curiosity, they closed the distance, and soon I was surrounded.

There were four or five of them, darting around the raft with effortless grace. Through my DJI Action 5 Pro, I could hear them making high pitched clicks and whistles underwater. One dolphin came so close that I could see its eye clearly through the lens. It tilted its head sideways, almost as if it was trying to get a better look at me. That moment of eye contact was like nothing else. Wild yet so personal.

Then, just as I was about to paddle back to shore, the dolphins became even more playful. One launched itself completely out of the water just ahead of my packraft. Then another. Then a third. They leapt in unison, right in front of me, putting on a show that felt completely unreal.

It is going to be hard to top this wildlife experience. There was something profound about the whole encounter, especially knowing how rare these animals are. There are estimated to be around 15,000 Hector’s dolphins left in the wild. They are considered nationally vulnerable and are found primarily around the South Island of New Zealand. Known for their distinctive rounded dorsal fins and small size, they are the world’s smallest marine dolphins and only found in these waters.

To share a moment with them on their terms, in their environment, was something I’ll never forget.

You can watch my experience with these dolphins unfold on my YouTube channel