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Kaikoura Whale Watching Tours
- Sail across the Kaikoura waters for an amazing whale-watching experience on a modern catamaran.
- Enjoy comfortable seating within the spacious and air-conditioned enclosed passenger cabins.
- Upgrade your ticket to VIP Captain's Cabin for greater comfort and exclusivities like priority boarding, transport, and cold drinks with a delicious local food pack.
- Learn about Kaikoura’s marine wildlife through the virtual display of “World of the Whales.”
- Capture beautiful photos of the surrounding view on the outside deck.
- Look out for marine mammals such as whales, seals, dolphins, and different species of sea birds.
- Feel welcomed and completely safe with a friendly team of experienced captains and tour hosts.
- Sail across the Kaikoura waters for an amazing whale-watching experience on a modern catamaran.
- Enjoy comfortable seating within the spacious and air-conditioned enclosed passenger cabins.
- Upgrade your ticket to VIP Captain's Cabin for greater comfort and exclusivities like priority boarding, transport, and cold drinks with a delicious local food pack.
- Learn about Kaikoura’s marine wildlife through the virtual display of “World of the Whales.”
- Capture beautiful photos of the surrounding view on the outside deck.
- Look out for marine mammals such as whales, seals, dolphins, and different species of sea birds.
- Feel welcomed and completely safe with a friendly team of experienced captains and tour hosts.
Inclusions
- 3-hour whale-watching cruise
- Spacious air-conditioned interiors
- Access to outside decks
- Marine wildlife animation on plasma TVs
- Free Wi-Fi aboard the cruise
- Priority boarding and transport (optional)
- Business-class seating (optional)
- Full-tour English narration (optional)
- Access to all other passenger areas (optional)
- Locally-made food boxes and cold drinks (optional)
- Exclusive viewing area on the top deck (optional)
The ticket has the following options you can choose from:
- Ocean Cabin
- VIP Captain’s Cabin
- Requests to upgrade bookings after the tour check-in begins will not include a food pack.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
- Ready for a unique whale of a time? Hop aboard a 30-min or 45-min flight over Kaikoura and catch the world's biggest mammal in their natural habitat.
- Sperm whales, humpback whales, Orca, and more—you will spot them all from the comfort of your window seat. Uninterrupted views are guaranteed!
- Get the lowdown on Kaikoura's sperm whales and marine life in a 15-min pre-flight briefing by an experienced crew, and feel secure with onboard gear.
- Not just whales, but also dolphins and birdlife await your lens in Kaikoura's canyon, against the picturesque backdrop of snow-capped mountain peaks.
- Ready for a unique whale of a time? Hop aboard a 30-min or 45-min flight over Kaikoura and catch the world's biggest mammal in their natural habitat.
- Sperm whales, humpback whales, Orca, and more—you will spot them all from the comfort of your window seat. Uninterrupted views are guaranteed!
- Get the lowdown on Kaikoura's sperm whales and marine life in a 15-min pre-flight briefing by an experienced crew, and feel secure with onboard gear.
- Not just whales, but also dolphins and birdlife await your lens in Kaikoura's canyon, against the picturesque backdrop of snow-capped mountain peaks.
Inclusions
- 30-min Kaikoura whale-watching flight
- 45-min Kaikoura whale-watching with mountain scenic tour (optional)
- 15-min pre-flight information and safety briefing
- Life jacket and safety equipment
- Tip: Bring polarized sunglasses to help reduce glare on the water's surface, making it easier to spot whales and other marine life beneath the surface.
- Each adult can accompany only 1 infant under 3 years old.
- Safety is a priority so this experience is restricted for guests over the weight of 135kg (297.62lb).
- This experience is wheelchair accessible.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
- Take to the skies and marvel at mighty Sperm Whales in all their glory – from head to tail!
- Fly low (as low as 150 meters!) over the ocean on this 30-minute whale-watching helicopter ride from Kaikoura.
- Get unobstructed views of the coastal shores and Kaikoura Seaward Mountain Ranges, with guaranteed window seats.
- Spot massive Sperm Whales – they're up to 18 meters long! Learn loads about these 60-ton behemoths during the engaging briefing.
- Go further offshore on the 40-minute flight or opt for the full experience with a 60-minute flight circling Mt. Fyffe.
- Take to the skies and marvel at mighty Sperm Whales in all their glory – from head to tail!
- Fly low (as low as 150 meters!) over the ocean on this 30-minute whale-watching helicopter ride from Kaikoura.
- Get unobstructed views of the coastal shores and Kaikoura Seaward Mountain Ranges, with guaranteed window seats.
- Spot massive Sperm Whales – they're up to 18 meters long! Learn loads about these 60-ton behemoths during the engaging briefing.
- Go further offshore on the 40-minute flight or opt for the full experience with a 60-minute flight circling Mt. Fyffe.
Inclusions
- 30/40/60-minute flight (as per option selected)
- Informative briefing
Exclusions
- Hotel Transfers
- Audio guide
- Tip: Keep your eyes peeled for playful dolphins – they sometimes join the whale-watching party.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
- Escape to Kaikoura on a comfy day trip! Witness giant sperm whales, explore a lively seal colony, and indulge in Canterbury wines.
- Get round-trip hotel transfers from Christchurch, jump aboard a boat with an English-speaking guide, and learn about the town’s links to the Maori tribes.
- Spot whales breaching Kaikoura waters, look out for dolphins and humpbacks and watch an animated film picturing Kaikoura’s hidden fauna.
- Stretch your legs on your way back and stop by a vineyard to sip on some delicious fine wines and even meet the winemakers, all if time permits.
- Escape to Kaikoura on a comfy day trip! Witness giant sperm whales, explore a lively seal colony, and indulge in Canterbury wines.
- Get round-trip hotel transfers from Christchurch, jump aboard a boat with an English-speaking guide, and learn about the town’s links to the Maori tribes.
- Spot whales breaching Kaikoura waters, look out for dolphins and humpbacks and watch an animated film picturing Kaikoura’s hidden fauna.
- Stretch your legs on your way back and stop by a vineyard to sip on some delicious fine wines and even meet the winemakers, all if time permits.
Inclusions
- 10-hour day trip to Kaikoura Whale Watch
- Round-trip hotel transfers in AC coach from Christchurch
- English-speaking guide
- Whale-watching tour by boat
- Fur seal colony viewing
- Vineyard visit and wine tasting (if time permits)
- 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.
- 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.
Itinerary
TOTAL DURATION9 hours
MODE OF TRANSFERA/C Minivan
Timeline
Map
START POINT
Christchurch, New Zealand
Kick off your journey in the Garden City with its blend of urban cool and sprawling green spaces. Christchurch offers a snapshot of New Zealand's renewal, from its earthquake revival to its art and culture scenes.
Passes by
Canterbury Region
Waipara Valley
1
Cheviot
A coastal gem, Cheviot is perfect for stretching your legs and grabbing a bite before heading further. Known for stunning surf beaches, it's also where you might spot seals and birds native to the region.
2
Kaikoura
1 activities
Tickets included
Arrive in Kaikoura and treat yourself to lunch at a local fish and chips shop, where the seafood is as fresh as it gets. Then, board a catamaran for a thrilling whale-watching adventure—keep an eye out for sperm whales and orcas!
Things to do
1. Fish and Chips
Lunch
Savor freshly caught seafood at a local fish and chips shop—perfectly crispy, with ocean views to match.
2. Kaikoura Whale Watching
Included in price
Hop aboard a catamaran and venture into the Pacific Ocean, where you’ll have the chance to spot majestic sperm whales, playful dolphins, and, if you're lucky, even orcas!
5
END POINT
Christchurch, New Zealand
Whale watch in style from Christchurch: small group, wine tasting, and lunch.
- On this small-group full-day adventure from Christchurch, you'll get the best spots to see whales in Kaikoura. Round-trip transfers and a guide are included.
- The boat crew will know the best spots to capture these whales, and even point out when to get camera-ready for the dive and capture the tail fluke.
- On the way from Christchurch, you’ll also stop for wine or beer tasting at Waipara Valley, followed by lunch at a Kaikoura local fish and chip shop.
- Track marine life as warm northern currents meet cold southern waters, creating feeding grounds for 13 Albatross species and 7 types of dolphins.
- Enjoy modern comfort on your Christchurch transfers on a luxury minivan, with WiFi, USB charging ports, and Kiwi snacks for refreshments.
Whale watch in style from Christchurch: small group, wine tasting, and lunch.
- On this small-group full-day adventure from Christchurch, you'll get the best spots to see whales in Kaikoura. Round-trip transfers and a guide are included.
- The boat crew will know the best spots to capture these whales, and even point out when to get camera-ready for the dive and capture the tail fluke.
- On the way from Christchurch, you’ll also stop for wine or beer tasting at Waipara Valley, followed by lunch at a Kaikoura local fish and chip shop.
- Track marine life as warm northern currents meet cold southern waters, creating feeding grounds for 13 Albatross species and 7 types of dolphins.
- Enjoy modern comfort on your Christchurch transfers on a luxury minivan, with WiFi, USB charging ports, and Kiwi snacks for refreshments.
Inclusions
- Full-day tour to Kaikoura
- Round-trip transfers from MP Christchurch Bus Interchange by luxury minivan
- English-speaking guide
- Small group of up to 16 people
- Whale-watching cruise
- Lunch at Kaikoura fish and chip shop
- Wine-tasting at Waipara
- Kiwi snacks
- Bottled water
- WiFi, USB charging ports on minivan
- Tip: Watch for a whale's diving sequence: back arching, frequent spouts, then head lifting. This 3-minute pattern signals the moment to photograph its tail fluke.
- This experience is not accessible by wheelchair.
- Your guide dogs are welcome on this experience.
- Nobody likes a crowd. A single group has a maximum of 16 people.
- Alcoholic beverages will not be served to guests under the age of 18 years.
- If you have specific dietary needs, such as vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free, let us know at the time of booking.
- This experience is weather-dependent. You can reschedule or receive a full refund if it's canceled due to inclement weather.
- This experience requires a minimum number of participants. If the minimum is not met and the experience is canceled, you can reschedule or receive a full refund.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
- Seal the deal on your visit to Kaikoura with a remarkable wildlife kayaking experience with expert guides.
- Don't miss out on the chance to get up close and personal with adorable fur seals and the rare blue penguins!
- With GORE-TEX dry pants and bonus dry bags for your camera included, you're all set for a splash-free adventure.
- Safety is key with briefing, gear, and even paddling lessons, so this experience is perfect for beginners too.
- Opt for the sunset evening tour for stunning views of the sunset as you kayak.
- Seal the deal on your visit to Kaikoura with a remarkable wildlife kayaking experience with expert guides.
- Don't miss out on the chance to get up close and personal with adorable fur seals and the rare blue penguins!
- With GORE-TEX dry pants and bonus dry bags for your camera included, you're all set for a splash-free adventure.
- Safety is key with briefing, gear, and even paddling lessons, so this experience is perfect for beginners too.
- Opt for the sunset evening tour for stunning views of the sunset as you kayak.
Inclusions
- Kayaking experience in Kaikoura
- Expert guide
- All equipment & training
- Family kayaking (optional)
- Sunset evening classic tour (optional)
- Tip: Even if you're not a morning person, join the 8:30 AM tour for the best interactions with marine life.
- It is recommended you bring sunglasses, a cap, running shoes or sandals, drinking water, a camera and a towel.
- The guided family kayaking tour requires a minimum of 2 guests.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
KaikouraKaikoura Whale Watching Tours