Whale Watching Cruise Kaikoura
Highlights & inclusions
1. Select date
December 2024
2. Select participants
What you can expect
Embark on a whale watching adventure from New Zealand's premier whale watching destination - Kaikoura - with one of the country's best whale watching tour companies! Known for its wide variety of whale species, a Kaikoura whale watching experience will put you in a great position to encounter not just more common species of whale like humpbacks, but also other rarer types such as Sperm Whales, Minke Whales, Fins and even the largest creature on earth - the mammoth Blue Whale.
Departing from Kaikoura, you'll get around 2.5 hours on the water as your friendly, experienced crew take you to all the best whale watching hot spots in the area to ensure you'll get the best possible chance to see the maximum number of whales available on the day. While making the trek out to whale waters, sit back and relax on the large, air-conditioned vessel and watch marine wildlife animations on the large plasma screens. One of the best and most comprehensive whale watching tours in New Zealand for those with a limited amount of time, book a Kaikoura whale watching adventure online today and see these beautiful creatures in their natural environment firsthand!
For extra comfort and exclusivity, the captain's cabin offers guests great views with big windows to look out through. The captain's cabin is situated in the wheelhouse alongside the skipper and watch keeper maximum of 12 guests only. Guests can relax and enjoy watching the whales while sitting in comfortable luxurious seating and listening to the dedicated cabin nature guide.
Location
What you need to know
- Captains Cabin can only seat a maximum of 12 passengers
- Air conditioned vessel with comfortable seating and large plasma screens for marine wildlife animations
- Whale Watch coach transfer to harbor
- Viewing of Giant Sperm Whales
- Opportunity to see other marine mammals such as Blue, Fin, Sei, Humpback, Minke, Pilot, Orca and Southern Right Whales, Common Dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins, Elephant Seals and Leopard Seals
- food/coffee cart on site.
- Each tour is a unique experience and the sightings vary. The Giant Sperm Whale is the star of the show and is resident in the area all year round. In addition to the Sperm Whale, a number of different species of whale have been sighted off our coastline, including Blues, Humpbacks, Rights and Orca. As well as sighting whales, a typical trip will cruise by colonies of New Zealand Fur Seals and perhaps take in groups of dolphins. In addition to the marine mammals, Kaikoura has a wide variety of off-shore birds. These include Albatross, Shearwaters, Petrels, Gulls, Penguins and Gannets
- All year: 7.15am, 10.00am, 12.45pm
- Please select your preferred departure time upon booking
- More tours may be available during the peak season. If the time you have selected is not available, the nearest time will be allocated for you
- The actual time on the water is up to 2.5 hours. Including check-in time and transfer by bus, you should allow 3.5 hours in total
- Our reservations office is located at the Whaleway Station, Kaikoura. This is the check-in point
- There is a 95% sighting rate, in the event that your tour does not see a whale, we will refund 80% of your fare
- Wheelchair friendly
- Children under the age of 3 will not be able to participate in this activity
- Please note each tour is a unique experience and the sightings vary. The Giant Sperm Whale is the star of the show and is resident in the area all year round. In addition to the Sperm Whale, a number of different species of whale have been sighted off our coastline, including Blues, Humpbacks, Rights and Orca. As well as sighting whales, a typical trip will cruise by colonies of New Zealand Fur Seals and perhaps take in groups of dolphins, depending on the season. In addition to the marine mammals, Kaikoura has a wide variety of off-shore birds. These include Albatross, Shearwaters, Petrels, Gulls, Penguins and Gannets
- Your safety and comfort are of paramount importance to us. If the conditions are not suitable, we will cancel the tour. Passengers, who are travelling to join us on the day of their tour, are advised to telephone the free phone number for a conditions update (available on your tour voucher)
- No charge applies to any booking changes made.
- No booking fee is charged.
- No refunds will be given in the event of your failure to notify us of your cancellation 48 hours before the check-in time.
- Confirmation in the form of a tour voucher will be received at time of booking
- Upon completion of purchase, please print the voucher and present on day of the experience
- For your information, complete Tour Operator Information including contact details is included on your tour voucher
- Upon completion of your booking, you will need to phone the operator to advise of your preferred trip time
Recent reviews
Frank van Galen
almost 5 years ago
Beautifull tour managed by a professional crew
Beautifull tour managed by a professional crew. Good presentation of Information during the trip. We saw two whales, fur seals, dolphins and beautiful albatrosses. On the water, it can be a bit bumpy, but the crew is very helpful and focus on your safety. We will come back sometime!
Joseph Loloi
almost 6 years ago
To start off
To start off, Kaikoura itself is gorgeous with nice blue waters. The tour started with a safety video after which we were driven by bus to to boat. The boat was a modern one with comfy seats; that helped on the rough waters. The crew was amazing. They were informative and funny. After about 30 min on the water we arrived to the whale grounds. After a few tries (the crew was using underwater microphones to hear the whales) one surfaced and we approached it and it was a beitiful sperm whale. We followed it for a couple of minutes and then it submerged, it was amazing. After that we approached shore but not before being able to see dolphins. The whole experience was amazing, highly reccomend.
Juan Gonzalez
almost 6 years ago
I had a good experience
I had a good experience, we found two different species of whales, 3 sperm whales and another one of a different species, dolphins and different species of amazing birds on our way. I’d recommend to people to take their best jacket, even in summer, sunnies, and pack some food as well, and make sure there is no chance of rain, otherwise, your trip will be cancelled. Also I recommend to do this on winter, so you can see all the scenic mountains with snow, which it looks incredible.