Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat
Description
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.
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- 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
Reviews(3,033)
The whale-watching company was knowledgeable, highly professional and very pleasant to deal with. The company treats the whales with respect and passes on a great deal of information about them, which enhances the trip.
Sea was rough which made it unpleasant and hard to stand or walk around. Yes we saw whales but no spectacular scenes of them ping out of the water (like you see on their advert) as were most likely pregnant, so disappointed with that. Also keep in mind that if you take a child with you (like we did - 9yr old) that you hold onto them and push them through to the front of the crowd to see the whales as the Asian tourists were very rude and had no respect for others and wouldve pushed our son over in their rush to see the whales if I didn't have hold of him. Lucky my husband was already at the railing and pulled him through to the front otherwise he wouldn't have seen the whales.
We had a great time on the whale watch tour. Everything was well organised and ran smoothly. We were lucky enough to see 2 sperm whales, 4 or 5 humpbacks, a pod of dolphins, lots of seals, petrels and albatross. The crew were very knowledgeable and it was really fascinating to watch how they locate the whales. Great day out
Very professionally run trip on such lovely vessels. The process was super easy from check in right through to getting off the boat. All well thought through, and we really felt at ease while taking in the scenery and seeing the whales.
one of the best places in he world for whake watching. we saw sperm whales, humpback whales and dusky dolphins.
Was a lovely trip. We saw some whales but not close up. Saw mostly dolphins. Way too many people on the boat, it felt chaotic and some people have no common sense and kept barging in to you which felt very unsafe as the waters were quite rough. Staff were all wonderful.
I am lost for words to good to miss 😔 couldn't believe my eyes being so close to there world job well done.Were they watching us or us watching them.Thank you.
Extremely well run operation, knowledgeable staff/team, fantastic wild life. Guaranteed to bring you an epic experience
One of the best whale watching trips. Apart from seeing whales, dophins, many birds and seals the way it was organised was excellent, friendly and efficient. The narrative was excellent; done by a true professional who obviously loved her work and was enthusiastic and knowledgeable.
It was a magical experience, getting to see 2 sperm whales and a passing humpback whale. The sea crew were also well versed in their knowledge of the sea and the different marine species. Was a blessing to see both Marama and Mati Mati, the sperm whales on our cruise!
