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Christchurch Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!tune
Embark on an aerial journey in Kaikoura, where you'll witness majestic sperm whales, playful dolphins, and breathtaking landscapes from the skies. Don't miss this opportunity to witness the wonders of marine life and scenic beauty all in one incredible journey.
Embark on an aerial journey in Kaikoura, where you'll witness majestic sperm whales, playful dolphins, and breathtaking landscapes from the skies. Don't miss this opportunity to witness the wonders of marine life and scenic beauty all in one incredible journey.
Highlights
- 30+ years of whale watching experience with a 100% safety record
- Top rated customer reviews
- Breath-taking Kaikoura Scenery
- Enjoy informative commentary through listening headsets
- Community Owed & Operated Organisation
- Qualmark Silver Award
Experience Kaikoura's most spectacular marine scenic flight with the region's most experienced flight operator!
From the comfort of your window seat, witness the awe-inspiring beauty of whales, dolphins, and breathtaking scenery. Only from the air can you truly grasp the sheer size of the majestic sperm whale in its natural habitat, providing unparalleled photographic opportunities. During our flight, you might also encounter dusky dolphins, humpback whales, blue whales, orca, and other fascinating marine creatures. After the exhilarating whale encounter, we'll take you on a scenic journey over Kaikoura and its stunning surroundings, with the snow-clad peaks of the Kaikoura mountains and the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean as an impressive backdrop.
At Air Kaikoura, we're a small, friendly, locally operated business with a passionate team dedicated to providing you with the experience of a lifetime. While we can't guarantee wildlife sightings as we're observing animals in their natural habitat, we boast an impressive 95% success rate and always provide honest assessments of the day's chances for whale sightings.
Our Scenic Whale Watching Flight offers you the best odds of spotting these magnificent creatures from the air.
All prices are shown inNZD ($)
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$115.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$115.00
- Adult$185.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$229.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$185.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$115.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$115.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$115.00
- Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$115.00
- Adult$185.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$115.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$115.00
- Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$115.00
- Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$115.00
- Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$115.00
- Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
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- Adult$275.00
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- Adult$275.00
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- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
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- Adult$275.00
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- Adult$275.00
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- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$115.00
- Adult$185.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$115.00
- Adult$185.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$219.00
- Child$99.99
- Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.99
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$164.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$115.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$115.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$219.00
- Child$99.99
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$185.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$185.00
- Child$99.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$185.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$172.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$185.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$99.00
- Adult$185.00
- Child$99.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
- Adult$275.00
- Child$115.00
Authenticated Reviews
Real highlights, tips, and the helpful advice straight from Bookme customers who’ve actually done this experience, summarised with AI support
- emergencyCustomers praised the knowledgeable and friendly pilots, making the experience enjoyable and informative (30 people said this).
- emergencyMany enjoyed the breathtaking views of the Kaikoura coastline and marine life from the air (25 people said this).
- emergencyThe smooth check-in process and well-organized experience received positive feedback (15 people said this).
- emergencyThe opportunity to see a variety of marine life, including sperm whales and dolphins, was a highlight for many (20 people said this).
- emergencyThe community-owned aspect of the business was appreciated, adding a special touch to the experience (10 people said this).
- emergencyOverall, customers felt safe and well taken care of throughout the flight (18 people said this).
- star_shineBring a camera for stunning views
Consider booking on a clear day for the best visibility
Showing all 795 authenticated Bookme reviews
From Kaikoura Whale Watching Flight - 40 Minutes - Community Owned & Operated
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We couldn’t agree more, seeing whales really is breathtaking. We’re delighted to hear that our team helped make the experience even more special with their professionalism and kindness. Your high recommendation means a lot to us. Thank you for choosing Air Kaikoura, and we hope to welcome you back for another incredible flight in the future!
Christina Koch from Germany wrote on 09 January 2026
Great Whale watching flight
Great experience. Got a pick-up from the City. Die to Bad weather in the morning flight for cancelled, but I could easier rescheduel. Flight Ursels was Great and seeing a whale from above was awesome. Great value for the Price.
From Kaikoura Whale Watching Flight - 40 Minutes - Community Owned & Operated
Thank you for your great review! We’re pleased to hear that our team was able to assist with an easy reschedule after the morning flight was cancelled due to weather. Safety always comes first, and we’re glad everything worked out smoothly. It’s wonderful to know you enjoyed the flight itself and the amazing experience of seeing a whale from above. We truly appreciate your kind words about the value as well. Thank you for choosing Air Kaikoura, we hope to see you again in the future!
ericr4 from New Zealand wrote on 05 January 2026
wonderful flight
nice and smooth, even if we saw no whale this day. The staff, especially the pilot, is very helpful and sympathic. I'll get another chance later.
From Kaikoura Whale Watching Flight - 40 Minutes - Community Owned & Operated
Thank you for your lovely feedback. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed a smooth flight and found our staff, especially the pilot, helpful and friendly. While wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, we truly appreciate your understanding and positive attitude. We’d love to welcome you back for another chance in the future and hope to share a whale sighting with you next time. Thank you for flying with Air Kaikoura!
Johanna from Germany wrote on 03 January 2026
Great experience
Enjoyed the whale watching flight with my husband. It was a great experience seeing a whole whale from top while the plane is cycling above. Switch right and left turns for all passengers to see it. Felt a little like being on a cassussel so keep that in mind when you get easily motion sick. But totally worth it. Such great views.
From Kaikoura Whale Watching Flight - 40 Minutes - Community Owned & Operated
Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We’re so glad to hear you enjoyed the whale watching flight and the incredible top down views of the whale. Our pilots do their best to ensure everyone gets a great view by alternating turns, so it’s wonderful to hear that was appreciated. Thank you for flying with Air Kaikoura, and we hope to welcome you back again!
yulingziz from Australia wrote on 01 January 2026
Great activity
It is highly recommended activities and the staff are kind and the pilot is professional and we do see one sperm whale.
From Kaikoura Whale Watching Flight - 40 Minutes - Community Owned & Operated
Thank you for your kind recommendation! It’s always a special experience to witness these incredible animals in their natural habitat. Thank you for choosing Air Kaikoura, we hope to see you again soon!
Copyright ©2026 Bookme Limited.
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.
Qualmark Gold
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.
Qualmark Silver
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.
Qualmark Bronze
The Qualmark Bronze award recognizes a business that operates with a high level of professionalism, is mindful of its environmental impact, and is dedicated to putting customers first.
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Linda from Germany wrote on 10 January 2026
Incredible :)
The experience itself was just breathtaking (I mean.. whales… come on). But the team behind made it even more special. So professional and kind. We can highly recommend the whale watching flight :)