Kayaking in Kaikoura Tickets

Flexible flight options for thrilling aerial whale encounters.

Great for: Adventurers and photographers looking for a tailored flight experience over Kaikoura’s marine world, with options from quick viewings to mountain landings.
Everything you get: A guided whale-watching flight with live commentary and window seats. Choose Classic (30 min), Extended (40 min) for extra sightings, or Top ‘n’ Tail (60 min) with a scenic mountain landing.
Why choose this: Maximize your viewing time and customize your aerial adventure over whales and stunning landscapes.

Inclusions

30/40/60-minute Kaikoura whale-watching helicopter flight (based on option selected)
Live commentary from pilot
Headset with microphone for the helicopter flight
Alpine landing on Kaikoura Seaward Ranges (if option selected)

Tip: Keep your eyes peeled for playful dolphins – they sometimes join the whale-watching party.
This experience is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
For the helicopter flight, the maximum permitted passenger weight is 136 kg (300 lbs).
Flights may be affected by weather conditions and the need to meet minimum passenger numbers.
For safety and compliance with aircraft specifications, weight restrictions apply to all passengers. The pilot has the authority to determine passenger seating based on the helicopter's weight and balance parameters.
This experience requires a minimum of 2 guests and will have a maximum of 6 guests.
Guests will receive a headset equipped with a microphone, enabling direct communication with the pilot.

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Guaranteed sighting of at least one whale or 80% refund!

Great for: Wildlife lovers and families seeking a safe, educational cruise with a 95% success rate in spotting majestic whales in their natural environment.
Everything you get: A 2.5-hour cruise on a modern catamaran with air-conditioned cabins, outdoor decks, and expert commentary. Includes a “World of Whales” presentation. Upgrade for VIP priority boarding, premium seating, and captain’s deck access.
Why choose this: Risk-free experience with guaranteed sightings and eco-conscious operations.

Inclusions

3-hour whale-watching cruise in Kaikoura
Full-tour English narration
Access to outside decks
Marine wildlife presentation
Free Wi-Fi aboard the cruise
Access to captain's cabin alongside captain and watchkeeper (if option selected)
Small group of up to 12 people (if option selected)
Priority boarding and transport (if option selected)
Business-class seating (if option selected)
Access to all other passenger areas (if option selected)
Locally-made food boxes and cold drinks (if option selected)
Exclusive viewing area on the top deck (if option selected)

Requests to upgrade bookings after the tour check-in begins will not include a food pack.
Children aged 3 years old and under are restricted from this experience.
If you're booking seating in the VIP Captain's cabin, please make a note of any food allergies at the time of booking so these can be catered for accordingly.
The schedule is subject to change. Factors such as weather, technical disruptions, marine mammal availability, and minimum passenger numbers may necessitate adjustments.
Whale sightings are not guaranteed. However, if no whales are observed during the tour, 80% of the tour cost will be refunded. For clarity, 'whale' encompasses all species defined as such under the Marine Mammals Protection Regulations 1992, including baleen, sperm, beaked, killer, and pilot whales.
For the safety of all passengers, including those using wheelchairs, the captain will assess sea conditions. If conditions are suitable, wheelchair access is provided. However, if conditions are deemed unsafe, mobility restrictions may be implemented.

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Paddle with seals in their natural habitat for an intimate wildlife experience!

Great for: Active travelers and families wanting a safe, hands-on marine wildlife experience without barriers.
Everything you get: A 3-hour guided kayak tour with full gear, safety briefing, expert naturalist guide, and guaranteed seal encounters. Upgrades include tandem kayaks for families or sunset paddling.
Why choose this: Intimate, low-impact adventure where seals swim right up to your kayak for a natural, respectful wildlife encounter that's more intimate than any boat tour can offer.

Inclusions

3-hour whale-watching kayaking experience in Kaikoura
All kayaking equipment (paddle jackets, wet shoes, spray skirts, dry pants, gloves, and hats over the winter months)
English-speaking guide and instructor
Family-friendly kayaking with 1 guide for each family (if option selected)
Sunset hours kayaking (if option selected)

Tip: Even if you're not a morning person, join the 8:30am tour for the best interactions with marine life.
The guided family kayaking tour requires a minimum of 2 guests.
This experience is not wheelchair accessible.
Guests in this sea kayaking tour should understand that adventure activities carry inherent risks. These risks may include property damage, personal injury, weather-related illness, drowning, death, and environmental factors such as sunburn, dehydration, hyperthermia, and exhaustion.
The sunset kayaking experience will accommodate a maximum of 24 guests.
This is a weather-dependent activity. Cancellations due to poor weather result in rescheduling or a full refund.

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Award-winning whale watch day trip with seamless transfers from Christchurch!

Great for: Christchurch travelers wanting a complete, hassle‑free day trip that combines wildlife viewing with scenic rural drives and cultural stops.
Everything you get: Round-trip hotel transfers, an award-winning whale watch tour with live animation sequences, a visit to a fur seal colony, and a vineyard stop for wine tasting.
Why choose this: Enjoy a fully curated Kaikoura adventure where every detail is handled so you can focus on nature, culture, and unforgettable scenic experiences.

Inclusions

Full-day trip to Kaikoura from Christchurch
Round-trip hotel transfers in AC coach from Christchurch
English-speaking guide
Kaikoura whale-watching tour by boat
Fur seal colony viewing
Vineyard visit and wine tasting (if time permits)

Exclusions

Lunch (available to purchase onsite)

Tip: Watch for the "blow" (puff of air) before whales come to the surface. It's your cue to snap pics! The blow is V-shaped for sperm whales and heart-shaped for humpbacks.
This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
While there is no lunch provided, the tour will stop at a cafe where you can purchase lunch.
Your guide dogs are welcome at the venue.
Transportation is wheelchair accessible.
This trip accommodates 35 participants.
Wineries close at 5pm daily and on some holidays as well. In such cases, a stop may not be possible.

You can cancel these tickets up to 7 days before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Flexible flight options for thrilling aerial whale encounters.

Great for: Adventurers and photographers looking for a tailored flight experience over Kaikoura’s marine world, with options from quick viewings to mountain landings.
Everything you get: A guided whale-watching flight with live commentary and window seats. Choose Classic (30 min), Extended (40 min) for extra sightings, or Top ‘n’ Tail (60 min) with a scenic mountain landing.
Why choose this: Maximize your viewing time and customize your aerial adventure over whales and stunning landscapes.

Inclusions

30/40/60-minute Kaikoura whale-watching helicopter flight (based on option selected)
Live commentary from pilot
Headset with microphone for the helicopter flight
Alpine landing on Kaikoura Seaward Ranges (if option selected)

Tip: Keep your eyes peeled for playful dolphins – they sometimes join the whale-watching party.
This experience is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
For the helicopter flight, the maximum permitted passenger weight is 136 kg (300 lbs).
Flights may be affected by weather conditions and the need to meet minimum passenger numbers.
For safety and compliance with aircraft specifications, weight restrictions apply to all passengers. The pilot has the authority to determine passenger seating based on the helicopter's weight and balance parameters.
This experience requires a minimum of 2 guests and will have a maximum of 6 guests.
Guests will receive a headset equipped with a microphone, enabling direct communication with the pilot.

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Guaranteed sighting of at least one whale or 80% refund!

Great for: Wildlife lovers and families seeking a safe, educational cruise with a 95% success rate in spotting majestic whales in their natural environment.
Everything you get: A 2.5-hour cruise on a modern catamaran with air-conditioned cabins, outdoor decks, and expert commentary. Includes a “World of Whales” presentation. Upgrade for VIP priority boarding, premium seating, and captain’s deck access.
Why choose this: Risk-free experience with guaranteed sightings and eco-conscious operations.

Inclusions

3-hour whale-watching cruise in Kaikoura
Full-tour English narration
Access to outside decks
Marine wildlife presentation
Free Wi-Fi aboard the cruise
Access to captain's cabin alongside captain and watchkeeper (if option selected)
Small group of up to 12 people (if option selected)
Priority boarding and transport (if option selected)
Business-class seating (if option selected)
Access to all other passenger areas (if option selected)
Locally-made food boxes and cold drinks (if option selected)
Exclusive viewing area on the top deck (if option selected)

Requests to upgrade bookings after the tour check-in begins will not include a food pack.
Children aged 3 years old and under are restricted from this experience.
If you're booking seating in the VIP Captain's cabin, please make a note of any food allergies at the time of booking so these can be catered for accordingly.
The schedule is subject to change. Factors such as weather, technical disruptions, marine mammal availability, and minimum passenger numbers may necessitate adjustments.
Whale sightings are not guaranteed. However, if no whales are observed during the tour, 80% of the tour cost will be refunded. For clarity, 'whale' encompasses all species defined as such under the Marine Mammals Protection Regulations 1992, including baleen, sperm, beaked, killer, and pilot whales.
For the safety of all passengers, including those using wheelchairs, the captain will assess sea conditions. If conditions are suitable, wheelchair access is provided. However, if conditions are deemed unsafe, mobility restrictions may be implemented.

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Paddle with seals in their natural habitat for an intimate wildlife experience!

Great for: Active travelers and families wanting a safe, hands-on marine wildlife experience without barriers.
Everything you get: A 3-hour guided kayak tour with full gear, safety briefing, expert naturalist guide, and guaranteed seal encounters. Upgrades include tandem kayaks for families or sunset paddling.
Why choose this: Intimate, low-impact adventure where seals swim right up to your kayak for a natural, respectful wildlife encounter that's more intimate than any boat tour can offer.

Inclusions

3-hour whale-watching kayaking experience in Kaikoura
All kayaking equipment (paddle jackets, wet shoes, spray skirts, dry pants, gloves, and hats over the winter months)
English-speaking guide and instructor
Family-friendly kayaking with 1 guide for each family (if option selected)
Sunset hours kayaking (if option selected)

Tip: Even if you're not a morning person, join the 8:30am tour for the best interactions with marine life.
The guided family kayaking tour requires a minimum of 2 guests.
This experience is not wheelchair accessible.
Guests in this sea kayaking tour should understand that adventure activities carry inherent risks. These risks may include property damage, personal injury, weather-related illness, drowning, death, and environmental factors such as sunburn, dehydration, hyperthermia, and exhaustion.
The sunset kayaking experience will accommodate a maximum of 24 guests.
This is a weather-dependent activity. Cancellations due to poor weather result in rescheduling or a full refund.

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Award-winning whale watch day trip with seamless transfers from Christchurch!

Great for: Christchurch travelers wanting a complete, hassle‑free day trip that combines wildlife viewing with scenic rural drives and cultural stops.
Everything you get: Round-trip hotel transfers, an award-winning whale watch tour with live animation sequences, a visit to a fur seal colony, and a vineyard stop for wine tasting.
Why choose this: Enjoy a fully curated Kaikoura adventure where every detail is handled so you can focus on nature, culture, and unforgettable scenic experiences.

Inclusions

Full-day trip to Kaikoura from Christchurch
Round-trip hotel transfers in AC coach from Christchurch
English-speaking guide
Kaikoura whale-watching tour by boat
Fur seal colony viewing
Vineyard visit and wine tasting (if time permits)

Exclusions

Lunch (available to purchase onsite)

Tip: Watch for the "blow" (puff of air) before whales come to the surface. It's your cue to snap pics! The blow is V-shaped for sperm whales and heart-shaped for humpbacks.
This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
While there is no lunch provided, the tour will stop at a cafe where you can purchase lunch.
Your guide dogs are welcome at the venue.
Transportation is wheelchair accessible.
This trip accommodates 35 participants.
Wineries close at 5pm daily and on some holidays as well. In such cases, a stop may not be possible.

You can cancel these tickets up to 7 days before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Kayaking in Kaikoura

Get Help 24/7

Headout

Kayaking in Kaikoura

Kaikoura Classic Whale-Watching Helicopter Tour

Kaikoura Whale Watching Cruise

Kaikoura Guided Wildlife Kayaking Experience

From Christchurch: Kaikoura Whale Watch Day Trip with Round-Trip Transfers