Children from Merivale School are stoked after experiencing a very rare treat while sailing in Tauranga's harbour.

The kids, aged 10 to 11 years old, had about "seven or so" dolphins accompany them whilst out on the water for the BOPSAT school sailing programme.

BOPSAT chairman Roger Clark says the kids "couldn't wait to run back to school to tell their mates" and were ecstatic after the experience.

"The dolphins were chasing stingrays initially, but when they got tired of it, they came and hung around the kids who were out on the water.

Roger says the dolphins were extremely friendly. Photo: Supplied.

"The dolphins were interacting with the kids and seemed to really enjoy swimming near them, it was absolutely amazing.

"I was out on my powerboat and decided to not go out near them as it would've probably scared the dolphins off."

Roger says BOPSAT has run the school sailing programme "for years" but has never seen anything like this.

"It's definitely the first time we've ever seen dolphins come right up to interact with the kids, it's a very special thing to have happened."