Duration
Free cancellation
Book now, pay later
4.5/5
(75)
Maria
Michelle
Fabienne
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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.
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3-hour whale-watching cruise in Kaikoura
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Full-tour English narration
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Access to outside decks
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Marine wildlife presentation
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Free Wi-Fi aboard the cruise
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Access to captain's cabin alongside captain and watchkeeper (if option selected)
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Small group of up to 12 people (if option selected)
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Priority boarding and transport (if option selected)
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Business-class seating (if option selected)
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Access to all other passenger areas (if option selected)
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Locally-made food boxes and cold drinks (if option selected)
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Exclusive viewing area on the top deck (if option selected)
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- TOTAL DURATION9 hoursMODE OF TRANSFERA/C Minivan
1 Boarding point
Sights covered
Kaikoura
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
- 75 reviews4.5
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
5610423Guests from Australia, Germany, United Kingdom and over 10 countries have loved this experienceWhat our guests say
Maria
Dec 2025Verified booking5/5
Michelle
Dec 2025Verified booking5/5
Fabienne
Nov 2025Verified booking5/5
Jim
Nov 2025Verified booking5/5Carole
Nov 2025Verified booking4/5
Take a journey unlike any other to witness the ocean's most magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, with the security of an 80% refund guarantee if no whales appear during your cruise.
Getting started
Arrive at the Whaleway Station 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time for check-in. Present your ticket at the counter and receive a brief safety orientation. You'll then board the modern catamaran, designed specifically for whale watching with noise-minimizing engines that don't disturb the wildlife.
What to expect
Kaikoura is one of the few places on earth where sperm whales can be seen year-round, thanks to the unique underwater canyon just offshore.
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Expert guides use specialized equipment to locate whales, giving you a 95% chance of spotting these magnificent creatures.
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The spacious viewing decks offer 360-degree views, ensuring you don't miss a moment when whales surface.
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The "World of the Whales" presentation provides fascinating insights into whale behavior, biology, and conservation. The onboard live commentary explains what you're seeing and educates you about marine conservation efforts.
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Keep your camera ready for other marine wildlife often spotted during cruises, including dolphins, seals, and various seabirds.
You'll spend approximately 2 hours on the water, with the entire experience lasting 2.5 hours from departure to return.
Wrapping Up
Upon returning to shore, you'll have the opportunity to review your photos and perhaps visit the gift shop for souvenirs that support marine conservation efforts.
Upgrades
Upgrade to the VIP Captain's Cabin for an exclusive experience featuring priority boarding, business-class seating, personal interaction with the captain, complimentary refreshments, and access to a private viewing deck.
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What to bring
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Dress warmly and in flat shoes. Carry your sunscreen, sunglasses, and a water bottle. Bring a waterproof jacket and shoes if you plan to spend significant time on the outer decks.
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Pack your meds – better to be prepared, just in case they’re not available onsite.
What's not allowed
- Children aged 3 years old and under are restricted from this experience.
Accessibility
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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.
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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.
Additional information
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Passenger capacity is limited to 104 in the Ocean Cabin.
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Passenger capacity is limited to 12 in the Captain’s Cabin.
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Requests to upgrade bookings after the tour check-in begins will not include a food pack.
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The schedule is subject to change. Factors such as weather, technical disruptions, marine mammal availability, and minimum passenger numbers may necessitate adjustments.
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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.
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Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.
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Display the mobile voucher with a valid photo ID at the boarding point for verification.
Boarding Point
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Board your cruise at Whale Watch Kaikoura.
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Address: Whaleway Station Road, Kaikōura 7340, New Zealand.
Get Directions to the Boarding Point
Getting There
By Bus
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The closest bus stop is Kaikoura. It is a quick 11-minute walk to the boarding point.
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Bus Christchurch-Picton will get you there.
By Car
- Take route New Zealand State Highway 1 and drive on to the Whaleway Station Road to arrive at the boarding point.
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