Kaikoura Whale Watch Day Tour from Christchurch including Coastal Pacific Train
Overview
Available languages
12 hours
Mobile ticket
Experience the natural treasures of New Zealand on a whale-watching cruise from the picturesque town of Kaikoura. Look for the mighty sperm whales that live in these waters along with dolphins, New Zealand fur seals and seabirds. Start the day with an early morning Train Journey from Christchurch to Kaikoura, Admire breathtaking views of the snow-capped Kaikoura Ranges and visit a fur seal colony on land. Wrap up the day with a wine tasting at a vineyard in North Canterbury. Your experienced guide shares informative commentary throughout the day on this fun and fascinating tour.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation, if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.
Please note, infants under 3 years of age may not join the cruises but may travel on the light aircraft tours
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.
A decision is made at 6:30am each day, based on local weather conditions, as to whether the tour will depart Christchurch or be canceled. If the tour is canceled, clients are notified by 7:15am and no cancellation fees are charged. If the tour travels to Kaikoura and the whale watch cruises are canceled, whale watch plane tours are offered as an alternative. If clients do not wish to fly, or the plane tours are also canceled, a cash refund of NZD 120.00 per adult is given. Refund is issued on the day of the tour by the tour operator in Christchurch.
As the wineries close at 5pm daily and on selected public holidays, a stop may not be possible. On these occasions no refund is applicable.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Transport by air-conditioned coach or minivan
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Fur seal colony viewing
one way Train journey
Whale watching tour by boat
North Canterbury vineyard visit and wine tasting
Lunch (if option is selected)
Live commentary on board
Gratuities
Food and drinks, unless specified
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Travel by Coastal Pacific Train taking a scenic rail journey North to arrive into Kaikoura. As you cruise with expert local guides, learn about the town, its whaling history and its natural features. Not far offshore lies the Hikurangi Trench, which creates the upwelling that attracts an abundance of marine life. While the giant sperm whales live here year-round, you might also see New Zealand fur seals, dusky dolphins and, depending on the season, migrating humpback whales, pilot whales, blue whales and southern right whales. Kaikoura’s waters also host the world's largest dolphins—the orca–and the world's smallest and rarest—Hector’s dolphins. On the feathered side of life, Kaikoura has the largest concentration and variety of seabirds on mainland New Zealand, with 13 species of albatross, 14 varieties of petrels and 7 types of shearwaters. After your whale-watching cruise, if option selected have the option to include the lunch in your tour at additional cost, or to purchase your own meal. Next we visit a nearby New Zealand fur seal colony where you can observe the seals at close quarters. If time allows we will stop at a North Canterbury vineyard for a wine tasting!
Options
LT08CL
Kaikoura Whale Watch Day Tour from Christchurch including a one way Coastal Pacific Train & lunch
Pickup included
LT08C
Kaikoura Whale Watch Day Tour from Christchurch including a one way Coastal Pacific Train
Pickup included
Reviews
5 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great trip - Read the fine print
Diana L,
Dec 16, 2024
- Viator
5.00A fun-filled day with a train trip with coast views, whale-watching, full seals, a delicious lunch, and culminating with a wonderful wine tasting at one of the Waipara Valley wineries. Stephanie did a wonderful job covering everything. I was disturbed when we were told at the beginning that there would probably be no stop at a winery, even though advertised on Viator, because stopping to see the fur seals would take the time (the fine print said "optional" wine tasting if there is time). Stephanie modified her schedule so that we could get to the winery before it closed. If interested in the wine tasing, be sure and let your tour guide know so that they can adjust their scheduling accordingly. The lunch was really delicious!
Not my favorite
Laurie B,
Mar 17, 2024
- Viator
4.00The whale watching was terrific. However, the tour itself was very disorganized. They combined several different tours into one. Directions were not very clear and we ended up having to wait for other people to finish their activities. The guide was friendly and nice, but it was more of transportation from several different activities rather than one cohesive tour.
Nice trip
Siok W,
Nov 30, 2022
- Viator
5.00We took the train to Kaikoura, nice view with the awesome open air carriage to take some nice photo. Manage to catch the whale after several try. We prefer train ride over the sightseeing van but the van ride offers nice commentary from the lovely tour guide. Kaikoura worth a stay if you have time.
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Operated by Leisure Tours