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Kaikoura Dolphin & whale watching

Our most recommended Kaikoura Dolphin & whale watching

Kaikoura: Whale Watching Cruise

1. Kaikoura: Whale Watching Cruise

Take a whale-watching cruise off the Kaikoura coast, and see giant sperm whales in their natural environment. Enjoy onboard commentary as you encounter a range of wildlife, including fur seals, pods of dolphins, and the endangered wandering albatross. Set sail on a catamaran, equipped with engines that minimize underwater noise and nonpolluting toilets. Take in the views from the large outdoor decks or stay inside the air-conditioned interiors with comfortable seating and plasma screens displaying marine wildlife animations. Gain an insight into the habitat with scientific information and indigenous knowledge about these creatures from the crew. Passenger numbers are kept well below the vessel's capacity to ensure a more personal experience.

Kaikoura: Dolphin Encounter Cruise

2. Kaikoura: Dolphin Encounter Cruise

Cruise along the scenic Kaikoura coast as you watch for dolphins. During the cruise, you'll be able to swim with the dolphins in their natural habitat or watch their antics from the comfort of the boat. Kaikoura is one of the best places in the world to encounter the Dusky Dolphins in their natural environment. The Dusky Dolphins are some of the most interactive and acrobatic species of dolphins, making them thrilling to watch and interact with. 

Kaikoura: Whale Watching Flight

3. Kaikoura: Whale Watching Flight

Enjoy a panoramic whale-watching flight, with stunning scenic views along the spectacular Kaikoura coastline. Only from the air can you appreciate the huge size of the mighty sperm whale, a frequent visitor to the waters off Kaikoura. After a safety briefing and overview of your scenic flight, hop onboard for your whale-watching adventure in the skies. Every passenger gets a guaranteed window seat to enjoy maximum viewing of the ocean and its inhabitants below. On your 40-minute whale-watching flight, you may see sperm whales, dusky dolphins, humpback whales, blue whales, orcas, and other marine life. After finding whales enjoy a scenic flight of Kaikoura and the dramatic surrounding scenery, including snow-clad mountain ranges and turquoise ocean reefs. Whales are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed. However, with over 30 years of experience and extensive local knowledge, the activity provider aims to give the best chance of sightings. Honest information on the likelihood of spotting a whale will be provided before the flight.

Kaikoura: Whale Watching Flight

4. Kaikoura: Whale Watching Flight

Receive an informative briefing of the Sperm Whales and other wildlife of Kaikoura, ready for your 30-minute flight experience. Learn about its unique geology, and what you can expect to see during the flight. Spend a special half hour viewing these majestic creatures from a unique vantage point.  Head directly out over the Kaikoura Whale Sanctuary to start looking for Kaikoura's wildlife. This whale watching flight showcases the year-round whales and dolphins, as well as the stunning coastline and peninsula. Focusing on the mighty Sperm Whale, this is a once-in-a-lifetime flight to view these animals, as well as other whale and dolphin species that migrate through Kaikoura's waters.  All aircraft are high-winged, which allows each person their own window seat and optimal, unobstructed viewing and photography opportunities. Your tour finishes back at the terminal where there is a gift shop and refreshments available.

Kaikoura: 1-Hour Whale Watching Helicopter Tour

5. Kaikoura: 1-Hour Whale Watching Helicopter Tour

Spot sperm whales, dusky dolphins, and fur seals from above before making a summit landing among the towering peaks of the Seaward Kaikoura Mountain Ranges on this 1-hour helicopter tour. The adventure begins with a short safety briefing from the pilot, as well as additional information about the year-round population of sperm whales and the unique underwater Kaikoura Canyon. Next, jump in the helicopter and head out over the Whale Sanctuary and Hikurangi Marine Reserve for a chance to view the pod of sperm whales. Taking on a bird's-eye-view maximizes time viewing the wildlife while not disrupting their natural behavior. Continue along the magnificent coastline of the Kaikoura Peninsula keeping an eye out for playful dusky dolphins and New Zealand fur seals. The last stop of the day will be the towering peaks of the Seaward Kaikoura Mountain Ranges for an incredible alpine landing. Get out and walk around on rugged pristine land with breathtaking vistas of the mountains, peninsula, and ocean.

Kaikoura: Adventure Helicopter Tour

6. Kaikoura: Adventure Helicopter Tour

Begin your adventure are Kaikōura Airport where you will receive a short safety briefing from your pilot, as well as additional information about the year-round population of sperm whales and the unique underwater Kaikōura Canyon. As you head out over the Pacific Ocean you are surrounded on all sides by the gorgeous scenery of Kaikōura, with the coastal mountains as a backdrop. Slowly orbit the whales so you can see the whole animal from head to tail, minimising your impact on the animal while maximising your time and viewing. Soar back along the coastline keeping an eye out for any other animals that may be around, including the resident population of dusky dolphins and New Zealand fur seals, as well as any other whale species that may be migrating through including blue, humpback, fin, and killer whales. After completing your wildlife viewing, head for the Seaward Kaikōura Mountain Ranges. Fly along the coastline to see the impact from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that changed the entire landscape of the coastal mountains and see the new Papatea Fault where it scars the land and runs out to sea. Fly inland along the Clarence River Valley and back up through the mountain range for a landing at the turquoise waters of the newly created Hapuku Dam Lake, which was created during the November 2016 earthquake. Enjoy the scenery as you fly back through the mountain range to land.

Kaikōura: 45-Minute Whale Watching Helicopter Tour

7. Kaikōura: 45-Minute Whale Watching Helicopter Tour

Discover the beautiful marine wildlife of the Pacific Ocean as you spot impressive whales on a helicopter tour from Kaikōura. Feel the thrill of a helicopter ride, take a scenic landing stop in the mountains, and get views of pods of whales on their migratory route. Start by meeting your guide and getting a flight safety briefing before take-off. Set off in the helicopter from Kaikōura and marvel at the scenic panoramas over the Seaward Kaikōura Mountain Ranges, as well as the Kaikōura Peninsula and the vast Pacific Ocean. Fly over the best spots for whale watching, and admire pods of humpback whales, southern right whales, killer whales, and even blue whales on their migratory routes. Learn all about the animals from your in-flight guide. After the whale sightings, continue the flight along the coastline to spot more marine wildlife, including the resident populations of dusky dolphins and New Zealand fur seals. Enjoy a scenic landing in the mountains to take in the impressive landscape before returning to Kaikōura.

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What people are saying about Kaikoura

Overall rating

4.9 / 5

based on 9 reviews

Excellent, To be fair to the guys after 25 mins we had found nothing but they kept looking and then saw 2 blue whales in quick succession but they circled a few times to give both sides off plane a good look then on way home they spotted a pod off about 500 dusky dolphins and also circled them several times too so trip was a lot longer than should off been x been on many trips around the world and always finish when says but these guys went the extra mile - job very well done I’d recommend to anyone- obviously we got lucky as I realise ain’t a thing can guarantee but they kept at it - well done Tony bird

It was really good. The flight itself is amazing views. The pilot was great. We just missed a whale by a minute then spent the next half an hour looking for more ( which I quite enjoyed) then he extended the flight so we could potentially see some and we seen a sperm whale breaching the water over and over again it was great. He didn’t need to extend the flight as nature doesn’t same thing, but he did, and very thankful it was a great experience.

Fantastic morning on the water with captain Kate and her crew. We saw lots of dolphins and were lucky as they were very friendly on that day and got close to the boat. Really great quality tour with excellent staff who clearly enjoy what they do.

Great trip! Saw a Sperm Whale and lots of dolphins. The team were very friendly and provided a great experience. Highly recommend

We saw 2 supermarket whales, Orca, seals and Albatross, brilliant. Crew were fantastic, great commentary