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Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat | 3 hours 30 minutes

2676 Reviews | Kaikoura
From $104.02 per person Lowest Price Guarantee
Select Date and Travelers
You can select up to 15 travelers in total.
Adult (16-99) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 15
2
Child (3-15) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15
0
Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1.15pm Departure
2 Adults x $104.76
$209.52
Approx Total
$209.52
Please arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time - Please allow 3.5 hours with us.
10.30am Departure
2 Adults x $104.76
$209.52
Approx Total
$209.52
Please arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time - Please allow 3.5 hours with us.
7.45am Departure
2 Adults x $104.76
$209.52
Approx Total
$209.52
Please arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time - Please allow 3.5 hours with us.

Inclusions / Exclusions

  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English
  • Experienced knowledgeable staff providing a running commentary throughout your tour
  • Bus ride to and from our marina
  • 95% success rate backed up by an 80% refund if your tour does not see a whale
  • Award winning onboard animations
  • Tours operates all year round
  • Modern fleet of purpose built catamarans
  • Food and drinks

Overview

Whale Watch is located in the small coastal town of Kaikōura on the East Coast of New Zealand’s South Island a scenic two and a half-hour drive north from Christchurch and two hour drive south from Picton. Kaikōura is a special place of lush pastures and towering, snow covered peaks that fall to the sea. This rare magic continues just offshore where a deep undersea canyon combines with unusual sea currents to attract an extraordinary abundance of marine life, the most famous being the Giant Sperm Whale. Whale Watch is New Zealand's only vessel-based whale watching company offering visitors an exciting up-close encounter with the world’s largest toothed predator the Giant Sperm Whale in their natural environment at all times of the year. Whale Watch scheduled tours operate daily. Our 95% success rate means we guarantee an 80% refund if your tour does not see a whale. Whale Watch tours are extremely popular so we recommend booking early.

Meeting points

Departure Point: Whale Watch Kaikoura is located on Whaleway Station Road just a short walk or drive from the town centre - our office is based at the Old Railway Station. Address: Whale Watch Kaikoura Whaleway Station Road Kaikoura 7300

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Few places on Earth possess the magic of Kaikōura. Many who visit leave transformed. It is a special part of New Zealand, imbued with powerful natural energy. A place where tectonic plates collide, towering peaks fall to the sea and ocean currents converge. Such rare combinations lure an abundance of marine wildlife, the most famous being the Giant Sperm Whale. It was a whale that led the Māori ancestor Paikea to New Zealand many centuries ago. His descendants live in Kaikōura today. Fittingly, the whale continues to guide the people of Kaikōura and the visitors they host. Kaikōura is one of New Zealand's leading eco-tourism destinations offering a variety of exciting activities and experiences. Despite the recent rise in tourist numbers, the town retains much of its historical charm. Many new motels, cafes and restaurants can be found in beautifully restored old buildings. Fresh local seafood is always on the menu. The retention of the town's distinctive character has made Kaikōura extremely attractive to artists. Their work, inspired by the remarkable landscape and wildlife, can be seen all over town.

Sample Menu

Additional Info

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Tours operate all year: 7.15am, 10.00am, 12.45pm & 3.30pm (Nov-Mar)—Please note that these are check-in times only - please do not come earlier than the times specified.
  • The minimum age limit for children traveling on a whale watch tour is 3yrs+, although Whale Watch Kaikōura maintains the right to raise the age limit depending on sea and weather conditions at the time of check-in.
  • All our tour are subject to favourable weather & sea conditions. If cancelled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund.
  • Whale Watch staff constantly monitor the weather and respond professionally to any changes. This may mean a tour is cancelled or safety restrictions placed on children or passengers with medical problems. Passenger comfort and safety is always our priority. Passengers travelling to join us on the day of their tour are strongly advised to telephone the FREEPHONE number 0800 655 121 for a sea conditions update.
  • Dress warmly and wear flat shoes. If you wish to spend time on the outside decks of our vessels you may need light waterproof clothing depending on the sea conditions.
  • Don't let sea sickness ruin your whale watch tour experience. Purchase motion sickness pills to help prevent sea sickness, car sickness, or any type of travel sickness from our Retail Store before you travel.
  • The actual time on the water is up to 2.5 hours. Including check-in time, safety briefing and bus transfers you should allow 3.5 hours in total.
  • If travelling in a wheelchair please contact us prior to arrival so we can provide additional details and advise how we can assist you

Free Cancellation

January 22100% refund
January 23No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews

4.4

2676 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
  • 5 stars
    1825
  • 4 stars
    492
  • 3 stars
    177
  • 2 stars
    86
  • 1 star
    96

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 1825 reviews with 5 stars

Whale watching

Published on Feb, 2025

Take sea sickness precautions if you are prone to it. Sensible footwear and a coat. Don't take a hat.

Professional outfit, with fast stable boats and a very good chance to see whales and dolphins

Published on Feb, 2025

Following advice from another traveller we upgraded to the Captains table, which was definitely worth the extra $50 each, as you get a lot more space in the cabin. Plus you get the top section, sides and front of the boat, with only 12 people to share it with, so loads of room. The company is very experienced and the boat is super fast and steady, so even with 2m swells it was okay. We saw one whale and then lots of dolphins, we thought it was great, as did everyone else.

A life experience

Published on Feb, 2025

Well worth it. Choppy on the day but advice given as to how to avoid sea sickness. Some weren't so lucky.. Very comfortable boat, informative narration and rewarded with loads of dolphins, sperms whale, albatross and the odd seal. Crew did all they could to locate the whales. Not so keen on the overhead circling planes from a noise and disturbance aspect

Amazing experience! Well...

Published on Feb, 2025

Amazing experience! Well organized and informative tour. Saw two sperm whales and many dusky dolphins!

A trip that delivers! Would definitely recommend.

Published on Feb, 2025

What a fantastic few hours! The whole trip was professional and well organised with very little fuss but lots of interesting information presented in an engaging way. The boat was modern and comfortable with continuous information from the crew. We first encountered a pod of Dusky Dolphins that played around the boat for a while. We then encountered a Sperm Whale for 5 minutes before it dove again - an awesome experience!

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