Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat

Overview

Available languages

English

3 hours 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

Whale Watch is located in the small coastal town of Kaikōura on the East Coast of New Zealand’s South Island a scenic two and a half-hour drive north from Christchurch and two hour drive south from Picton. Kaikōura is a special place of lush pastures and towering, snow covered peaks that fall to the sea. This rare magic continues just offshore where a deep undersea canyon combines with unusual sea currents to attract an extraordinary abundance of marine life, the most famous being the Giant Sperm Whale.

Whale Watch is New Zealand's only vessel-based whale watching company offering visitors an exciting up-close encounter with the world’s largest toothed predator the Giant Sperm Whale in their natural environment at all times of the year. Whale Watch scheduled tours operate daily. 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 recommend booking early.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Public transportation options are available nearby

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Tours operate all year: 7.15am, 10.00am, 12.45pm & 3.30pm (Nov-Mar)—Please note that these are check-in times only - please do not come earlier than the times specified.

The minimum age limit for children traveling on a whale watch tour is 3yrs+, although Whale Watch Kaikōura maintains the right to raise the age limit depending on sea and weather conditions at the time of check-in.

All our tour are subject to favourable weather & sea conditions. If cancelled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund.

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. Passenger comfort and safety is always our priority. Passengers travelling to join us on the day of their tour are strongly advised to telephone the FREEPHONE number 0800 655 121 for a sea conditions update.

Dress warmly and wear flat shoes. If you wish to spend time on the outside decks of our vessels you may need light waterproof clothing depending on the sea conditions.

Don't let sea sickness ruin your whale watch tour experience. Purchase motion sickness pills to help prevent sea sickness, car sickness, or any type of travel sickness from our Retail Store before you travel.

The actual time on the water is up to 2.5 hours. Including check-in time, safety briefing and bus transfers you should allow 3.5 hours in total.

If travelling in a wheelchair please contact us prior to arrival so we can provide additional details and advise how we can assist you

What To Expect

Few places on Earth possess the magic of Kaikōura. Many who visit leave transformed. It is a special part of New Zealand, imbued with powerful natural energy. A place where tectonic plates collide, towering peaks fall to the sea and ocean currents converge. Such rare combinations lure an abundance of marine wildlife, the most famous being the Giant Sperm Whale. It was a whale that led the Māori ancestor Paikea to New Zealand many centuries ago. His descendants live in Kaikōura today. Fittingly, the whale continues to guide the people of Kaikōura and the visitors they host. Kaikōura is one of New Zealand's leading eco-tourism destinations offering a variety of exciting activities and experiences. Despite the recent rise in tourist numbers, the town retains much of its historical charm. Many new motels, cafes and restaurants can be found in beautifully restored old buildings. Fresh local seafood is always on the menu. The retention of the town's distinctive character has made Kaikōura extremely attractive to artists. Their work, inspired by the remarkable landscape and wildlife, can be seen all over town.

What‘s Included

Experienced knowledgeable staff providing a running commentary throughout your tour

Bus ride to and from our marina

95% success rate backed up by an 80% refund if your tour does not see a whale

Award winning onboard animations

Tours operates all year round

Modern fleet of purpose built catamarans

Food and drinks

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Options

10.30am Departure

Please arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time - Please allow 3.5 hours with us.

1.15pm Departure

Please arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time - Please allow 3.5 hours with us.

7.45am Departure

Please arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time - Please allow 3.5 hours with us.

Reviews

4.47

3,017 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

2110

520

188

109

Decent experience - amazing staff
Mareike S,May 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00
Really nice boat, custom-made for the needs of going in a whale-watching tour. Knowledgeable staff. We saw one sperm whale. The only down-side: immediately after the whale dived and was gone, we were ob our way back to the port. Felt a bit like a cheap seen-and return to port-trip. Fortunately, the whole scenery with the mountains of the Kaikoura Range in the backdrop is worth the trip already.
Beautiful day and lucky whale watching!
Emma F,May 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a fantastic trip! Check in was easy and we were told what the conditions at sea were and what to prepare for. The boat trip itself was great, we had beautiful weather and the captain and crew were lovely, knowledgeable and approachable. We were very fortunate to see: 1 Sperm Whale, 2 Humpback whales, pod of Orcas, plenty of dolphins and 2 types of albatross. Well organised and executed trip, would highly recommend.
Wonderful opportunity to see marine life and sail in deep water in a very safe boat with experienced and friendly staff
Clive D,May 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Fabulous! Fantastic! We had a wonderful time on the whale cruise. We saw a couple of species, hump back and sperm whales. Dolphins and a few varieties of birds and fur seals. The boat is very stable and the staff are lovely. It’s a great opportunity to sail in deep water just off the coast line. Watched the captain place a hydrophone into the water to hear where the whales could be.
Whale watching - a must-do trip
bcripps1,May 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
We did this excellent trip in February. Very well organised with friendly, welcoming staff and a wonderful commentary. We saw dolphins, several albatross and a sperm whale, which was visible and 'performing' for around 15 minutes. Highly recommend this experience, but you have to accept there is a chance, albeit a small one, that you might not be lucky.
Kaikoura is a wildlife haven
robertaB4313IF,May 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The VIP Captains Cabin is a good way to go. Our skipper located two separate Sperm Whales. What amazing mammals. They are huge. So pleased to have experienced them up so close to appreciate their size. We also sighted a Hectors Dolphin, Northern Royal Albatross, Cape Petrels and many Shy Albatross including one which mugged a NZ Fur Seal for his fish. If you are into wildlife then Kaikoura with its scenic mountain back drop is a location not to be missed. I will be back.
Pure nature with great information.
Tapir2015,May 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great crew and tour, well organized. Received great detailed information. Lucky with the weather, saw the whale Malu, dolphins, and albatrosses.
Memories for a lifetime
Heike128,May 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Apart from the fact that we ran into six humpbacks right after leaving the marina and later on watched a sperm whale present the whole surfacing programme to us… I loved the respect and consideration this company shows for nature and the animals. It gave me a really good feeling to know the whales weren’t disturbed by artificial sonar or boats coming too close. What an experience - memories for a lifetime.
Unforgettable encounter with the Nature Beings
sarifam2024,May 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The guides were amazing and knew exactky the right spots for the whales. we managed to see 3 of them and it was amazing.
Beautiful trip!
sibretherton,May 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Another fantastic trip. *****
One of the best sea-life watching tours I've been on.
kabouter2018,May 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I booked up to this half-heartedly as I've done several of these types of tours in the past. I was very pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed the experience. The tour was very well-organised and so informative. The highlight for me was not so much the whales as seeing the albatrosses. The safety and security of passengers and crew on the boats as well as caring for the natural environment were first-class. The booking and check-in station itself is very good too. Good toilet facilities, really good waiting area with educational film about the area and how the Whale Watch tours developed. Wonderful scenery. Right next to the train station and luggage holding facilities available. Good parking if you have a vehicle. Well done, keep up the excellent work and I'm so glad I did do the tour. Thank you.