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Whale Watch Kaikoura

4.6
771
An exciting up-close encounter with the Giant Sperm Whale at all times of the year!

An exciting up-close encounter with the Giant Sperm Whale at all times of the year!

Highlights

  • 95% whale viewing success rate with an 80% refund if your tour does not see a whale
  • Discover Kaikoura on the water in our purpose built wildlife viewing catamaran.
  • Encounter New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of Dusky Dolphins and the endangered Wandering Albatross
  • Crewed by a friendly team of Skippers and Guides very experienced in interacting with the local Sperm Whales

We venture offshore over a deep undersea canyon that attracts an extraordinary abundance of marine life, the most famous being the Sperm Whale.

You will be viewing from our purpose built whale watching catamarans equipped with noise minimising engines, large outside viewing decks, spacious air-conditioned interiors and comfortable seating for those colder days on the water.

Whale Watch® is New Zealand's only marine-based whale watching company offering visitors an exciting up-close encounter with the Giant Sperm Whale at all times of the year. 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 advise to book early!

Giant Sperm Whales are the stars of the show and year-round residents. Depending on the season you may see migrating Humpback Whales, Pilot Whales, Blue Whales and Southern Right Whales. Kaikoura also attracts the largest concentration and variety of seabirds on mainland New Zealand!

Whale Watch vessels are crewed by a friendly team of Skippers and Guides very experienced in interacting with the local Sperm Whales. They have expert knowledge of Kaikoura's sea conditions and are fully trained in all aspects of safety.

Adult $175.00
Child $60.00 (3-15 years old)

Duration

  • Allow approx. 3.5 hours for the whole experience.

Location

  • Whale Watch is located in the town of Kaikoura. Please check in at Whale Watch Office located on Whaleway Station Road.

Restrictions

  • Minimum age 3 years old.

Child Friendly

  • This experience welcomes families with children.

Notes

  • IMPORTANT FOR BOOKINGS MADE WITHIN 48 HOURS OF DEPARTURE:

    For bookings made through Bookme within 48hours of departure, you will need to call the number provided in your booking email to fully confirm your booking and departure time in order to avoid disappointment or inconvenience.

    Duration: Time on the water is up to 2.5 hours however please allow up to 3.5 hours in total.

    Child price applies to ages 3 - 15 years.

    If your Whale Watch Kaikoura tour does not see a whale we will refund 80% of your fare.

    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.

    Whale Watch operate tours every day (weather permitting) excluding Christmas Day.

    If you are susceptible to motion-sickness Whale Watch offer Aqua Straps for hire or purchase. Whale Watch also sells natural active motion-sickness tablets but we are not permitted to sell medicatedoptions which can be purchased at the local pharmacy located in the town centre. Allour Whale Watch tours are graded with a seasickness warning announced over our PA system prior to tour departure.

    Please note every Whale Watch tour is a unique experience and the sightings will vary.

Available Bookings from 5 Apr to 18 Apr 2025

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Change Dates
Sat 5 Apr
Sun 6 Apr
Mon 7 Apr
Tue 8 Apr
Wed 9 Apr
Thu 10 Apr
Fri 11 Apr
Sat 12 Apr
Sun 13 Apr
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Wed 16 Apr
Thu 17 Apr
Fri 18 Apr

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

Bookings close in 7 hours...

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$60.00

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

4.6

771 reviews

Showing all 771 authenticated Bookme reviews

Johannes Bail from Germany wrote on 27 March 2024

Flexibel und kompetent

Tour musste am gebuchten Tag aufgrund zu hoher Wellen abgesagt werden, die Information kam schnell und ein Umbuchen auf den nächsten Tag war unkompliziert möglich. Vor Ort ausreichend kostenlose Parkplätze, das Boot machte einen sehr guten und modernen Eindruck. Während der Fahrt wurden zahlreiche interessante Informationen kompetent präsentiert solange man unter Deck war. Auf Deck wurde nach den Walen Ausschau gehalten, Pottwal und Blauwal konnten wir ausgiebig beobachten. Preis-Leistungsverhältnis durchaus angemessen. Man muss sich aber im Klaren sein: Es kann sein, dass sich nur eine Walart blicken lässt, eine längere Ausfahrt würden viele an Bord aber nicht verkraften, die Spucktüten fanden regen Gebrauch ;-) Auch sieht man die Wale nur teilweise aus dem Wasser ragen, vom Flugzeug aus sieht man wohl mehr.

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Jana Koehler from Germany wrote on 06 February 2024

Auf jeden Fall!

Es war ein tolles Erlebnis, das ich jedem empfehlen würde! Nette Crew, wir haben 2 Wale, viele viele Delphine und Albatrosse gesehen. Wir sind gleich früh 7.15 Uhr gafahren und hatten super Wetter!

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Jessica Djukic from Germany wrote on 27 January 2024

Wunderbares Erlebnis

Ich will gar nicht viel sagen, diese Tour kann nur weiterempfohlen werden! Tolle Informationen zu den Walen die gesichtet werden und auch allgemein. Tolle Crew, die fantastische Arbeit leisten und ganz tolle Momente auf dem Meer!

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Nicole Glaser from Germany wrote on 14 September 2023

Sehr toller und beindruckender Ausflug

Sehr gelungener Ausflug. Beindruckende Erlebnisse hinter atemberaubender Kulisse. 3 Wale gesichtet und min. 100 Delfine gesehen.

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Birgit Kurz from Germany wrote on 24 August 2023

Tolle Erfahrung

Tolle Erfahrung und nettes, kompetentes Team. Das Wetter war gut, und wir haben mehr als nur Wale gesehen und erklärt bekommen.

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Qualmark Certification

This award identifies a business with a high level of professionalism, a keen awareness of the impact it has on the environment and a commitment to a customer centric approach.

This award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure the business's focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create genuine, constantly evolving and sustainable tourism experiences.

This award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand. It denotes exceptional customer experiences at the heart of everything the company does. This business is leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.

When you see the Qualmark logo, your activity of choice is endorsed by New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation and backed by leaders in the industry. It's your trusted guide to iconic activities and experiences that are awarded for their exceptionally high level of quality, safety and sustainability.

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