• travel_explore
    Kaikoura Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!
    tune
  • image_search
    Search Kaikoura... Experiences, attractions, dining & more

Kaikoura - Albatross Encounter Cruise Tour

4.9
27
Get up close and personal with the largest wingspan on the planet!

Get up close and personal with the largest wingspan on the planet!

Highlights

  • Visit the albatross capital of the world!
  • Encounter up to twelve different species of albatross
  • See an abundance of pelagic and marine wildlife
  • Expert local guide will help you identify various species
  • A fascinating, exceptional experience for all to enjoy!

Kaikoura is known as the albatross capital of the world and is one, if not the best place to see these magnificent birds!

Blessed with an abundance of pelagic and marine wildlife, up to twelve different species of albatross can be seen along this spectacular coastline. An expert local guide will help you identify the various species and ensure you have a trip to remember!

Encounter Kaikoura is a friendly and enthusiastic business dedicated to providing our customers with exceptional experiences!

Adult $175.00
Child $75.00

What's included

  • Return transfers to between Kaikoura i-Site and the Harbour
  • Light refreshments on board (ginger cookies & hot chocolate)
  • Expert local guide

Duration

  • Allow approx. 2.5 hours for the whole experience

Location

  • Meeting location: Encounter Kaikoura at 96 Esplanade

Bad Weather Refunds

  • If your experience is cancelled by the operator (because of the weather or anything else out of your control) you will be entitled to a full refund.

Notes

  • Check in: To confirm your check in time for your trip please call our virtual office on the day prior, and then again on the trip day: 0800 733 365

    There are also blankets on board should these be required in the colder months.

  • Child Age is 3 - 14 years. Sea conditions on the day need to be ideal for children to participate on this tour. The skipper reserves the right to increase the age limit if they believe the conditions warrant this decision.

    Please note our tours operate in the open ocean and we are subject to sea conditions and weather on the day of the tour. All tours are also subject to minimum numbers to operate.

    Our vessel has ample seating, a spacious viewing platform and an emergency on board toilet (full facilities are available at the harbour).

Available Bookings from 2 May to 15 May 2024

Change Dates

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Thu 2 May
Fri 3 May
Sat 4 May
Sun 5 May
Mon 6 May
Tue 7 May
Wed 8 May
Thu 9 May
Fri 10 May
Sat 11 May
Sun 12 May
Mon 13 May
Tue 14 May
Wed 15 May

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$75.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$75.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$75.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$75.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$75.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$75.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$75.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$75.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$75.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$75.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$75.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$75.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$75.00

  • Adult$175.00
  • Child$75.00

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

4.9

27 reviews

Showing all 27 authenticated Bookme reviews

bevc from New Zealand wrote on 15 May 2022

Truly amazing!

Wow, what a trip. This is one of the best trips I have ever done, and I've done lots all around the world. Tracy, our guide was very knowledgeable about all the birds we saw. We saw so many close up; 3 different types of Albatross, Petrels, Terns, Shearwaters, Shags, Gulls and even a little Blue Penguin. As an added bonus, we saw a large pod of Dusky dolphins on our way back. I'm still smiling now, and it's 3 days later!

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

From Kaikoura - Albatross Encounter Cruise Tour

Wow Bev! Thank you! Great to read your feedback and to hear you had such a magic tour with us :-)

Deborah Ross from Australia wrote on 09 March 2023

This Trip was Great!

Lots of beautiful albatross right next to the boat. Also saw seals and dolpihins. Tip: even if you've never been seasick, take sea sick meds. The sea isn't scary rough at all, but has large gentle rolling waves which caused some ppl to be unexpectedly sea sick. The guide was absolutelt fantastic. Go on this trip.

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

From Kaikoura - Albatross Encounter Cruise Tour

Thanks for your review and great advice on the seasickness meds - we do have quite an exposed cosastline here so it's always a good idea to take precaution if needed! Sounds like you had a magic trip! So glad you enjoyed your time aboard :-)

jackl20 from United Kingdom wrote on 15 January 2023

Awesome encounter

Very happy to have taken this tour, especially since it was a 5:45am start! We saw 3 types of albatross and many more other bird species. The captain heard on the radio that dolphins were about so he took us looking for them, which we found. I found the sea to be rough and I do suffer motion sickness, so be sure to take your motion sickness before leaving!

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

From Kaikoura - Albatross Encounter Cruise Tour

Glad to hear you enjoyed your tour! Thanks for posting your review.

Sarah from New Zealand wrote on 12 April 2022

A great way to spend a morning!

The front desk staff were friendly and helpful. Gary, our guide, was very knowledgeable and made sure we got to see a variety of wildlife. We saw 3 species of Albatross, several species of Petrel and 2 species of dolphins. They all came right up to our boat so we were able to see them very well and got some great pictures. We highly recommend!

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

From Kaikoura - Albatross Encounter Cruise Tour

Thanks for taking the time to post a review Sarah and we are delighted you had such a great tour! We appreciate you joining us aboard and hope to see you again sometime :-)

Susan Koster from New Zealand wrote on 25 January 2022

Kaikoura Albatross Tour

We really enjoyed this tour. The boat ride was fun. We saw several species of albatross up close. The boat captain was very knowledgeable.

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

From Kaikoura - Albatross Encounter Cruise Tour

Thanks for taking the time to post a review Susan - we are so glad you enjoyed your time aboard with us!

close

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.

Sample menu

close
delete

Delete your content?

This item will be deleted immediately. You can't undo this action.