Kaikoura Whale Watching Tours
Experience New Zealand's South Island on a Kaikoura Whale Watching tour. Spot fur seals, pods of dolphins, and majestic sperm whales aboard a modern catamaran. Learn about their ecosystem and behaviors from expert crew. A year-round must-see marine adventure!
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Glide along Kaikoura’s deep-sea canyon aboard a state-of-the-art catamaran engineered for optimal visibility and comfort.
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The vessel’s noise-minimizing engines ensure that your experience remains undisturbed while protecting the delicate marine environment.
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Our exclusive 80% refund guarantee stands as a testament to the commitment to customer satisfaction—an assurance that rarely needs to be used, thanks to Kaikoura’s reliable whale presence.
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Choose between the standard Ocean Cabin experience, which provides family-friendly comfort, or the VIP Captain’s Cabin which offers enhanced priority boarding, business-class seating, and exclusive behind-the-scenes insights from the captain.
More details
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Glide along Kaikoura’s deep-sea canyon aboard a state-of-the-art catamaran engineered for optimal visibility and comfort.
-
The vessel’s noise-minimizing engines ensure that your experience remains undisturbed while protecting the delicate marine environment.
-
Our exclusive 80% refund guarantee stands as a testament to the commitment to customer satisfaction—an assurance that rarely needs to be used, thanks to Kaikoura’s reliable whale presence.
-
Choose between the standard Ocean Cabin experience, which provides family-friendly comfort, or the VIP Captain’s Cabin which offers enhanced priority boarding, business-class seating, and exclusive behind-the-scenes insights from the captain.
- Travel in a modern minivan designed for maximum comfort and connectivity, ensuring you stay relaxed and engaged from start to finish.
- Experience thoughtful stops that allow you to explore Cheviot’s historic charm and capture breathtaking coastal vistas along the way.
- Savor the flavors of authentic Kiwi cuisine with a freshly prepared fish and chips lunch, complemented by the option to indulge in local wines during an optional tasting stop.
- The expert guide weaves fascinating local stories, providing insights into New Zealand’s unique history and the region’s recovery after the 2016 earthquake.
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- Travel in a modern minivan designed for maximum comfort and connectivity, ensuring you stay relaxed and engaged from start to finish.
- Experience thoughtful stops that allow you to explore Cheviot’s historic charm and capture breathtaking coastal vistas along the way.
- Savor the flavors of authentic Kiwi cuisine with a freshly prepared fish and chips lunch, complemented by the option to indulge in local wines during an optional tasting stop.
- The expert guide weaves fascinating local stories, providing insights into New Zealand’s unique history and the region’s recovery after the 2016 earthquake.
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Skip the drive and hop aboard a coach from Christchurch to Kaikoura for a guided tour, watching giant sperm whales, dolphins, and humpback whales.
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On the spacious boat deck, watch whales come up for air and do backflips, as an English-speaking guide narrates Kaikoura’s marine life and Maori history.
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Witness Kaikoura's fur seals and their pups basking and swimming in one of New Zealand's largest seal colonies.
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If time permits, sample delicious fine wines at a local Canterbury winery, tour the vineyards, and maybe even meet the winemakers.
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Fun fact: The Maori tribes of Kaikoura hold a deep connection to whales. Passed-down knowledge claims some can even talk to these giants!
More details
-
Skip the drive and hop aboard a coach from Christchurch to Kaikoura for a guided tour, watching giant sperm whales, dolphins, and humpback whales.
-
On the spacious boat deck, watch whales come up for air and do backflips, as an English-speaking guide narrates Kaikoura’s marine life and Maori history.
-
Witness Kaikoura's fur seals and their pups basking and swimming in one of New Zealand's largest seal colonies.
-
If time permits, sample delicious fine wines at a local Canterbury winery, tour the vineyards, and maybe even meet the winemakers.
-
Fun fact: The Maori tribes of Kaikoura hold a deep connection to whales. Passed-down knowledge claims some can even talk to these giants!
-
Whale-watching flight over Kaikoura with a guaranteed window seat for every passenger—no one misses the view.
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Soar above Kaikoura’s coastline for unbeatable aerial views of sperm whales and dusky dolphins in their natural habitat.
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Capture stunning, unobstructed photos of marine life and dramatic New Zealand scenery from your own window seat.
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Scan the ocean for humpback whales, orcas, and even mighty blue whales as you cover more ground by air.
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Extended flight time increases your chances of spotting a variety of marine species and exploring Kaikoura’s iconic landscapes.
More details
-
Whale-watching flight over Kaikoura with a guaranteed window seat for every passenger—no one misses the view.
-
Soar above Kaikoura’s coastline for unbeatable aerial views of sperm whales and dusky dolphins in their natural habitat.
-
Capture stunning, unobstructed photos of marine life and dramatic New Zealand scenery from your own window seat.
-
Scan the ocean for humpback whales, orcas, and even mighty blue whales as you cover more ground by air.
-
Extended flight time increases your chances of spotting a variety of marine species and exploring Kaikoura’s iconic landscapes.
- Paddle toward known seal colonies and marvel as playful fur seals approach your kayak, creating photo-worthy moments that you’ll cherish forever.
- Listen to expert commentary on the behavior of marine wildlife and learn about ongoing conservation efforts aimed at protecting this special ecosystem.
- Choose from multiple tour options to match your interests—whether it’s an active wildlife kayaking tour, a family-friendly version with tandem kayaks and a gentler pace, or a magical sunset paddle that offers golden-hour views and a relaxed rhythm.
- The backdrop of dramatic mountains and clear waters enhances the adventure, creating a serene yet exciting environment for wildlife observation.
More details
- Paddle toward known seal colonies and marvel as playful fur seals approach your kayak, creating photo-worthy moments that you’ll cherish forever.
- Listen to expert commentary on the behavior of marine wildlife and learn about ongoing conservation efforts aimed at protecting this special ecosystem.
- Choose from multiple tour options to match your interests—whether it’s an active wildlife kayaking tour, a family-friendly version with tandem kayaks and a gentler pace, or a magical sunset paddle that offers golden-hour views and a relaxed rhythm.
- The backdrop of dramatic mountains and clear waters enhances the adventure, creating a serene yet exciting environment for wildlife observation.
-
Soar above the waters of Kaikoura and witness the majestic humpback whales for a one-of-a-kind adventure you won't find anywhere else.
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Sit by the window and get an uninterrupted view as you see sperm whales, humpback whales, and more from nose to fin breathing on the ocean's surface.
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Leave safety concerns in the dust with a 15-min pre-flight safety briefing and necessary gear onboard the flight, ensuring a worry-free 30-min or 45-min trip.
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Don't forget your cameras to capture memorable shots of giant whales, playful dolphins, and the snow-capped peaks of Kaikoura rising behind.
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Did you know? Kaikoura's resident Giant Sperm Whales match 4 elephants in size and their teeth can weigh over a kg each and reach 20cm long!
More details
-
Soar above the waters of Kaikoura and witness the majestic humpback whales for a one-of-a-kind adventure you won't find anywhere else.
-
Sit by the window and get an uninterrupted view as you see sperm whales, humpback whales, and more from nose to fin breathing on the ocean's surface.
-
Leave safety concerns in the dust with a 15-min pre-flight safety briefing and necessary gear onboard the flight, ensuring a worry-free 30-min or 45-min trip.
-
Don't forget your cameras to capture memorable shots of giant whales, playful dolphins, and the snow-capped peaks of Kaikoura rising behind.
-
Did you know? Kaikoura's resident Giant Sperm Whales match 4 elephants in size and their teeth can weigh over a kg each and reach 20cm long!
- Hover directly above sperm whales in their natural habitat, seeing these ocean giants from a perspective few ever experience, with the ability to quickly move between multiple whale sightings.
- Choose from three tours tailored to your preferences: the focused 30-minute Classic tour, the comprehensive 40-minute Extended tour, or the ultimate 60-minute Top 'n' Tail tour with a mountain landing.
- Benefit from your pilot's knowledge as they navigate to prime whale locations, sharing insights about whale behavior, the unique Kaikoura ecosystem, and conservation efforts.
- Capture incredible photographs of whales against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains meeting the Pacific Ocean–once-in-a-lifetime shots impossible from ground level.
More details
- Hover directly above sperm whales in their natural habitat, seeing these ocean giants from a perspective few ever experience, with the ability to quickly move between multiple whale sightings.
- Choose from three tours tailored to your preferences: the focused 30-minute Classic tour, the comprehensive 40-minute Extended tour, or the ultimate 60-minute Top 'n' Tail tour with a mountain landing.
- Benefit from your pilot's knowledge as they navigate to prime whale locations, sharing insights about whale behavior, the unique Kaikoura ecosystem, and conservation efforts.
- Capture incredible photographs of whales against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains meeting the Pacific Ocean–once-in-a-lifetime shots impossible from ground level.
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