Kaikoura Whale and Dolphin Overnight Tour from Christchurch
Overview
Available languages
48 hours
Mobile ticket
Watch whales and swim with dolphins. This is a overnight delight for all those who wish to get close to nature. Journey from Christchurch to Kaikoura, where you will take a whale watch tour. Overnight in this tiny coastal town, before joining your Swim with Dolphins cruise. Dive into the oceans and swim next to these amazing mammals. A marine experience unmatched by any other.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
Please note, infants under 3 years of age may not join the cruises but may travel on the light aircraft tours
Children must be aged 8 years and over to swim with Dolphins.
Customers must declare any pre-existing medical conditions. A basic level of fitness is required. Customers will be floating in the open ocean and will be required to swim to and from the boat - distances up to 50 meters (150 feet) at a time.
Once the tour has commenced only the unused portion of the tour will be refunded should the boats not sail or the planes not fly.
If due to whale sightings or weather conditions the boat offers a partial refund, this refund will be passed on to our customers.
If whale watch is undertaken by light aircraft and no whales are seen, no refund applies.
Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
If time allows we will stop at a North Canterbury vineyard for a wine tasting!
Maximum - One Medium size bag/suitcase per person (max 20kg each)
Transfer from Kaikoura back to Christchurch may be by intercity coach if minimum numbers not met
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
What‘s Included
Fur seal colony viewing
Use of Snorkelling equipment
Swim with Dolphins
Air-conditioned vehicle
North Canterbury wine tasting if time permits
Live commentary on board
Overnight accommodation
GST (Goods and Services Tax
Whale watch tour by boat
Food and drinks, unless specified
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Day 1: Christchurch - Kaikoura Travel by coach through the rolling hill country of North Canterbury, enjoying the beauty of its rural pastoral scenes, to Kaikoura where mountains meet sea (a journey of approximately three hours by coach). Kaikoura is world renowned for the variety of marine mammals which can be seen, not least of all the giant sperm whales and the acrobatic Dusky Dolphins. On arrival in Kaikoura you will be transferred to a whale watch tour by boat. This afternoon is free to explore Kaikoura. Overnight Accommodation: The White Morph or Similar Day 2: Kaikoura / Christchurch This morning join the Swim with Dolphins Cruise with Dolphin Encounter. You will be fully equipped with wet suit, mask, snorkel and flippers in order to swim in the sea with the Dusky Dolphins. There will be the opportunity during the day to visit a seal colony where fur seals may be viewed at close quarters. Returning to Christchurch this afternoon (a journey of approximately three hours by coach), a stop will be made at a North Canterbury vineyard where a wine tasting has been arranged for your pleasure, if time permits.
Day 1: Christchurch – KaikouraTravel by coach through the rolling hill country of North Canterbury, enjoying the beauty of its pastoral scenes, to Kaikoura where mountains meet sea (a journey of approximately three hours by coach). Kaikoura is world-renowned for the variety of marine mammals which can be seen, not least of all the giant sperm whales and the acrobatic dusky dolphins. On arrival in Kaikoura you will be transferred to a whale-watching tour by boat. This afternoon is free for you to explore Kaikoura. Overnight: 5-star accommodation at The Anchor Inn (or similar). Kaikoura’s newest motel on the waterfront, opened in November 1997, offers 15 architecturally designed motel units, all fully self-contained. The motel is centrally located within the township on the waterfront and most rooms enjoy mountain or sea views. Day 2: Kaikoura – ChristchurchThis morning join a swim-with-dolphins cruise. You will be fully equipped with wetsuit, mask, snorkel and flippers in order to swim in the sea with dusky dolphins. There will be an opportunity during the day to visit a seal colony where fur seals may be viewed at close quarters. Returning to Christchurch this afternoon, a stop is made at a North Canterbury vineyard where a wine tasting has been arranged for your pleasure.
Options
Overnight Option in Twin Room
Twin Room: Includes a full overnight Kaikoura Whale Watch & Dolphin Swim tour option in a double/twin room. Rates based on 2 persons.
Pickup included
Overnight Option Single Supp.
Single Supplement: Full overnight tour for Kaikoura Whale Watch & Dolphin Swim with single supplement included.
Pickup included
Reviews
9 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
You don't need this middleman. Do your own bookings and make happier memories!
PradeepK,
May 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00This company is nothing more than an intermediary that adds ZERO value to your experience. Rather, they are pretty incompetent when it comes to setting up an itinerary for you. We wanted an overnight stay at Kaikoura and came across this tour. Told them over phone that in our group of 3, two do not swim. For reasons they alone know, they made no note of it and booked 3 swim tickets with the tour operator. They did not inform us either that there were swim and watch options with different ticket prices. We learnt of this option only once we got to the tour centre and spoke to the front desk there. The only option we had was to use the "swim" tickets on a "watch" tour as that's what Leisure Tours had got for us. And no, we do not get our money back for having paid for the pricier "swim" tickets. Taking it up with these guys later, they said - but you booked a "swim" tour, failing to realize or acknowledge that they did not offer the watch option. They also refused to accept that I had informed them about the swimming abilities/preferences of my group. And also that since we went ahead with the tour, there was no change or refund they would be offering. How exactly did they expect us to not go ahead with the tour when we reached Kaikoura, I fail to understand. It was well within their means to book different tickets for members of our group but they just did not go beyond their scripted offering/pay heed to the customer's needs. Those looking for a good experience, with a bit more of research (and learnings from customers like myself), will realise that one does not need these guys to book a good experience. In fact, one would be better off doing it by themselves if they are willing to drive on their own than getting mixed up with these mediocre tour companies. Rent a good vehicle, go on your schedule. It will be heaps more comfortable than their 12 seater vans. There are a handful of tour companies running these cruises and some good hotels to stay in Kaikoura. Go ahead and book them yourself - don't rely on these guys. This is not a criticism of the tour company, but a broad recommendation to travellers. Do your own research, DO NOT trust Leisure Tours to look at it from a your perspective. They are just incapable of that. They are in it only for the money and have no value for your experience.
Awesome Guide! pretty good whale watching
Andrew W,
Feb 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Pete is an Absolutely fantastic guide from Leisure Tours. Super informative. Had so much great information during the drive to and from whale boat (2 hours each way). He really took excellent care of us and and made sure we had a blast. The whale watching (not leisure tours) was pretty good. We drove around for a while while they tracked a whale. He finally came up for a few minutes and then dove. Certainly not the most exciting whale watching I’ve ever done. But that’s what Sperm whales do. Impressive location. Great crew on the boat - also very informative.
Very friendly tour guide, helping , punctual and ever smiling
drgirdhar,
Dec 30, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our visit to Kaikora for whale watching was cancelled due to bad weather by guide Tania was so considerate, jolly and sincere that in the evening way back to Christchrch we stopped for seal watching and went to Georges Road Wines and enjoyed wine tasting . Full 5 stars for efficient, friendly and punctual staff .
Not as advertised
Ciara D,
Dec 13, 2024
- Review from Viator
2.00I was quite disappointed with this experience overall as I don't feel the description matched the reality. Although parts of the trip like the dolphin watching were as amazing as described, the description far oversold the experience. I understand that many things are presented as possibilities not guarantees but I missed out on many of the things I was looking forward to. There was no seal colony viewing, no winery stop, no hotel drop-off, no ocean view from my room. I didn’t mind getting the public bus back but it was definitely more inconvenient than the advertised drop off. It felt like the whole experience was an attempt to patch together activities that the company aren't used to combining. I feel like this package should not be offered if it is not manageable. After weeks of backpacking and looking forward to my overnight break with some luxury, I was sadly disappointed.
Solid Trip
Chris F,
Mar 3, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00Entire experience was fantastic! Swimming with dolphins was amazing and very well organized, transport was hassle free and straight forward, and the whale watching tour was peaceful. Highly recommend for anyone looking to get a lot out of Kaikōura in a short amount of time.
Stunning tour
Meme2Bristol,
May 24, 2018
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked an early boat on a beautiful day. A very short bus ride to the boat which was extremely comfortable. The crew were very friendly and Informative. We were so lucky after a relatively short time we saw our first whale just basking in the water. We waited iand after sometime he decided to dive flipping his tale several times. Breathtaking. We then went on seeing dolphins and sea birds a truly magical day.
Beautiful but sadly the sea got the better of me
Charlottef23,
Apr 12, 2018
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I have always wanted to swim with dolphins and whilst travelling NZ, Kaikoura was the one place loads of people had recommended to do this. I was all geared up at 6am and ready, I'd taken sickness tablets for the boat ride. On the boat, we started to see the dolphins, jumping alongside, was amazing and i was so excited. BUT, as we were told to come in and gear up, i didnt feel too good. Sadly, i missed out on interacting with the dolphins and getting into the sea as my head remained in a bucket for the rest of the experience. I had an amazing time and would recommend it.
It is an amazing and awesome trip to me...
Yeong,
Sep 25, 2016
- Review from Viator
5.00It is an amazing and awesome trip to me and my wife. Strongly recommended
One of the best experience I've had...
Jeremy Tsz Yik K,
Mar 31, 2015
- Review from Viator
5.00One of the best experience I've had swimming with dolphins. Highly recommended. I was initially worried about being cold in the water, but the wetsuits were extremely warm.
From NZ$745.00
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Operated by Leisure Tours