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Whale Watch Kaikoura

4.6
746
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 $165.00
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 29 Mar to 11 Apr 2024

Change Dates

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Fri 29 Mar
Sat 30 Mar
Sun 31 Mar
Mon 1 Apr
Tue 2 Apr
Wed 3 Apr
Thu 4 Apr
Fri 5 Apr
Sat 6 Apr
Sun 7 Apr
Mon 8 Apr
Tue 9 Apr
Wed 10 Apr
Thu 11 Apr

  • Adult$165.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$165.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$165.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$165.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$165.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$165.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$165.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$165.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$165.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$165.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$165.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$165.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$165.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$165.00
  • Child$60.00

Bookings close in 7 hours...

  • Adult$165.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$165.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$165.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$165.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$165.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$165.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$165.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$165.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$165.00
  • Child$60.00

  • Adult$165.00
  • 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

746 reviews

Showing all 746 authenticated Bookme reviews

kateb43 from United Kingdom wrote on 13 September 2022

Awesome time, lovely crew!

Had a great day with the crew, saw three whales and a pod of dolphins, really cool stuff!

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Anna Hughes from United Kingdom wrote on 14 August 2022

Amazing experience

Appreciate it can be hit and miss with the wildlife but we lucked out seeing seals, dolphins, a pod of orcas and 2 sperm whales. Once in a lifetime experience! The team were fantastic throughout - well organised and so knowledgeable. Highly recommend

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Jon Burton from United Kingdom wrote on 08 August 2022

Amazing

What a fantastic trip. Saw 3 whales and pods of dolphins - just so many. Crew very informative and helpful. Would definitely recommend.

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krystsinah from New Zealand wrote on 21 January 2022

I would say is not worth money that you pay for it

I like Whale watch, as finally I have seen whales twice, but it was so quick less than 2 minutes in total and it was so far. I cannot recommend it for children. My husband very disappointed that even hasn't taken photo of it, none. As you have a choice to take a quick shot or watch the whales by your eyes half a minute. I can understand if you see smth intresting during the trip. Yeah, we have seen a couple of Orcas, but it was so far as well. But it was very good luck we have been told. I can imagine how it would be boring without it. Some people haven't seen nothing more except their seats in the cabin and white paper bags, as be aware that you can experience seasickness. I know that this is wild nature and so difficult to predict what you can see today. But would I pay this amount to repeat it, compared with other experiences, definitely no.

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Bill Foster from New Zealand wrote on 15 December 2022

very poor interpretation of the marine environment

Their education and interpretation of the local marine environment has deteriorated significantly over the last decade. Given the numbers of visitors they have each year, they surely have a social responsibility to promote this amazing area and marine park, of which there was barely a mention and what positive measures the visitors can do themselves after leaving.

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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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